THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Head, Eastern & Southern Africa Partner Network – Scholars Program, the role will be responsible for engaging partners, youth and key stakeholders for successful implementation of the Scholars Program.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Contribute to the design and evolution of the Scholars Program.  
• Contribute to identification of new partnership opportunities within the region and structuring the partnership framework. 
• Coordinate and contribute to co-creation process with new partners, in relevant consultation.
• Provide partners with advice and accompaniment re: implementation, tracking progress, and identifying learning. Ensure high-quality delivery of the Scholars Program at partner institutions.  
• Collaborate with the Transitions team to ensure successful transition of Scholars into the world of work (employment, entrepreneurship) or further education.  
• Collaborate with the Transformative Leadership team to ensure that all program partners build and implement their transformative leadership programs and experiences for Scholars.  
• Collaborate with the refugees, internally displaced youth and young people with disabilities team to advance inclusion across program design and delivery.  
• Capture data and learning and ensure that insights and impact are routinely and effectively reported and integrated into program adaptations. 
• Support partner institutions to ensure safeguarding of Scholars and program participants.  
• Cultivate and manage relationships with stakeholders to scale impact. 
• Support connections and exchange and learning across the Scholars Program regional portfolio.  
• Contribute to the planning and delivery of face-to-face convening and virtual meetings.
• Gather feedback to inform broader program development activities. 
• Line manage Program Partners, Program Analysts and Interns within the team.

WHO YOU ARE

• Bachelor’s degree or a master’s in business administration, public policy, international development, social sciences, applied sciences or related field from a recognized university is required.
• Member of a relevant professional body.
• Minimum of ten (10) years’ relevant experience in a similar organization.
• Experience in engaging with faculty/staff in higher education institutions, civil society organizations, government, private sector etc., as well as young people.
• Managing multiple projects and delivering results in a fast-paced and fluid environment.
• Experience in designing and delivering leadership development programs for young people, in Africa.
• Experience with global grant making. This experience may come from working in another funding organization, corporation or an NGO.
• Experience working across cultures and geographies, living and working in Africa is highly desirable.
• Fluent in English. Fluent in local languages as the role demands.
• Deep knowledge of key issues and emerging trends and barriers in education and youth employment in Africa.
• Excellent analytical skills, the ability to think strategically and contribute as a thought partner in the Foundation’s strategy development.
• Experience and sensitivity to issues of inclusion; experience delivering programs for women, people with disabilities, and/or refugees and displaced youth highly desirable.
• Exceptional interpersonal and listening skills with the ability to build effective partnerships across all levels of the Foundation.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Proficiency with MS Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Passionate about youth education and employment in Africa
• Commitment to engaging and empowering young people, particularly women, and other marginalized groups such as refugees and displaced youth, and young people with disabilities.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to plan and act strategically over long time frames, patience and persistence to achieve goals; and ability to balance immediate executional needs with longer term visioning.
• A team-player with a high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Entrepreneurial mindset to build a new function in a dynamic environment
• Service Mindset and striving towards becoming a trusted business partner to drive common Foundation goals.
• Results-driven and motivated by a high sense of performance excellence and urgency.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities and respond to urgent situations in a fast-paced, fluid environment.
• Drive to continually experiment and innovate, building and leveraging best-in-class expertise and learnings.
• Commitment to the values of co-creation, humility, kindness and respect, impact and deep listening.
• Demonstrate a commitment to MasterCard Foundation’s values and vision.

Deadline for Applications is December 14, 2022

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Head, Finance & Accounting, the Lead will partner with the Country Program Leads in the management of the end-to-end financial programmatic processes (from Roadmap development to Deliver). The Lead will ensure that the programs are adequately funded to achieve intended outcomes (Budgeting) and that the funding is being utilized to deliver the intended outcome by employing appropriate risk management systems through program monitoring & Reporting to aid decision making. He/she will safeguard the Foundation’s Financial resources by maintaining a sound control environment, ensuring the programs are compliant with CRA regulations and providing stewardship on risk Management to their partners.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Manage the full cycle of Finance program partner contracts, i.e., Expression of Interest (EOI), proposal, contract approval, conduct due diligence, budget reviews, program execution & completion and monitoring.
• Analyzes financial performance against forecast and budget, investigates variances, communicates findings and makes recommendations to programs and partners.
• Identify and provide financial advice including but not limited to funding terms, taxation, Accounting Standards and other regulations/legislation that may arise.
• Ensure timely disbursements of funds for programs to ensure programs have sufficient funding in place to deliver the program's objectives and outcomes.
• Guide and train external program partners on all financial aspects of contract execution, including budgeting and reporting, due diligence, financial controls and Canadian regulatory requirements.
• Provide financial expertise and advice internally to the Foundation's Programs team on the development and implementation of comprehensive programming strategies.
• Provide ad-hoc data and support for learning and evaluation activities, including analysis of program outputs and value-for-money.
• Maintain accurate and timely financial documentation and report on contract commitments, disbursements and cash flow projections.
• Continuous program monitoring & reporting on financial performance to ensure that the Foundation’s resources are utilized as envisaged.
• Ensures adequate funding and financial controls are in place to support the delivery of expected program outcomes, as well as compliance with CRA requirements for books and records.
• Ensures that the management grants systems are kept up to date with the correct financial information for each program in a timely and accurate manner.
• Ensures that adequate business controls are in place for programs in order to protect the Foundation’s assets.
• Accountable for compliance with local and international financial regulations and requirements, e.g., Canada Revenue Agency, anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism laws, etc. 
• Provide periodic reporting on partner finance matters as determined by the partner contracts and ensure follow up action items are closed as required.  
• Troubleshoot and manage financial issues that may arise during program implementation.
• Lead comprehensive program assessment processes ensuring quality control of the plans with potential partners (Accountable for the quality of the Due diligence assessment). 
• Drive annual due diligence review process and updating yearly workplans with Program’s team and partners. 
• Perform due diligence procedures on partners (i.e., evaluating financial statements, tax returns, financial capacity, watchlist screening).
• Assess alignment with charity law (i.e., private benefit and charitable purpose rules) in collaboration with the Legal & Compliance team.
• Provide Financial Information & insights pertaining to program finance to support decision making.
• Provide input into the Foundation’s financial planning & budgeting routines within the required timelines and guidance as provided by the financial planning & analysis team.
• Provide Monthly financial forecasts on commitments and disbursements for assigned portfolio.
• Provide monthly financial reports on the status of program portfolio including analysis and insights to support decision making on resource allocation.
• Manage analysts and interns who assist the delivery of program finance tasks on a regular basis; assign work and review resource outputs.
• Engage and cultivate relationships with regional partners to ensure good governance to enable the achievement of the intended strategic objectives/outcomes of the program and any other tasks as required.

WHO YOU ARE

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting; MBA is an added advantage.
• Professional accounting qualification and a member of a professional body (i.e., ACCA).
• A Minimum of 10 years progressive experience in financial roles within large and/or global organizations. Previous work in the development sector is an asset.
• At least 1-3 years' experience in a management capacity, leading finance and teams of multiple technical competencies.
• Proficient in MS Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Working knowledge of:
  • Financial Internal Controls Management,
  • Financials Reporting & Analysis experience including Budgeting, Financial Forecasting,
  • Advanced analytical, quantitative, and statistical skills,
  • financial modeling skills, along with understanding of financial reporting and cash flow information,
  • Identify & mitigate operational, financial and business risks.
• Generate routine accounting records and financial reports.
• Determine and apply correct accounting treatments and a proficient knowledge of international accounting standards.
• Fluent in English; French is an added advantage.
• Strong organizational skills with detail-orientation and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Able to influence people, build relationships and communicate effectively.
• Able to exercise a high level of judgment in making decisions or recommendations based on analysis of data & deriving insights from the data.
• Good problem-solving skills and other competencies (Leadership, Behavioral) is required.
• Flexible, adaptable and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
• Possess excellent verbal, written and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Deadline for Applications is December 19, 2022