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Associate Director, Gender

Location: Africa

About Mastercard Foundation

Mastercard Foundation is a global foundation based in Toronto, Canada with several offices in Africa. Our programs promote financial inclusion and advance education and learning in Africa, primarily for young people, and in Canada for Indigenous youth. The Foundation was established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company. From inception, the Foundation was designed to be a separate entity and independent from Mastercard. Our policies, operations, and funding decisions are made by our President and Board of Directors.  

The Foundation believes that youth employment is key to unlocking prosperity, both for youth and their societies. Enabling young women and men from disadvantaged communities to secure dignified and fulfilling work will ensure inclusive development and economic growth in Africa.  

Values are timeless, they transcend and rise above all. They guide everything we do, as employees of the Foundation.  We share a common vision of a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. We make mistakes, we reflect, and we grow so that we can impact our world – it’s why we are here. We are ambitious and driven. We encourage you to bring your bold ideas, curiosity, and expertise to your work. We laugh at ourselves and with each other. We are a team. Our journey together makes our impact even more meaningful.  

THE POSITION

The Associate Director, Gender is a newly created position. It comes at an exciting moment as the Foundation deepens and expands its focus on gender and brings gender to the forefront of our work to realize our Young Africa Works strategy.

Reporting to a Director of Programs the Associate Director, Gender will drive and lead the Foundation’s efforts to advance gender equality through our programs and operations. S/he will lead the development and implementation of the Foundation’s approach to gender, within Young Africa Works and build and lead a team of gender experts. This team will collaborate, advise, and support colleagues in various departments, across the Foundation especially Strategy and Learning, to expand internal capacity to design, implement gender-sensitive programs and achieve our targets.

The Gender team’s work will be instrumental in helping generate innovative ideas, to support the Foundation’s mission, and to drive the achievement of the Young Africa Works strategy goal.

The Associate Director, Gender will build strategic partnerships; stay appraised of latest information and emerging trends in gender; and contribute to gender forums and communities of practice, representing the Foundation in these spaces.

Specific Responsibilities

  • Lead the development and implementation of the Foundation’s approach to gender in our Young Africa Works strategy.
  • Build and lead the Foundation’s gender team, including mentorship, coaching and performance management of staff.
  • Advise and collaborate with the Program, Strategy and Learning, and Communication teams to integrate gender across the program cycle, and to advance the Foundation’s overall gender target.
  • Drive the design and implementation of gender training programs for all staff as well as support the capacity of partners on gender.
  • Adapt or develop tools that support gender analysis and program design, gender budgeting, gender-sensitive due diligence and partner compliance.
  • Build and maintain relationships with leaders in the field of gender equality, particularly in Africa and identify and help develop strategic partnerships.
  • Identify and contribute to relevant learning networks and/or communities of practice. Represent the Foundation at gender related events and fora.
  • Identify, document, and mobilize gender-related insight and learning from the Foundation’s current and future portfolio of work.

Qualifications

  • Masters degree or equivalent experience in social sciences, including international development, public health, gender/women’s studies or other relevant disciplines.
  • Substantial experience working with youth and women in humanitarian or international development, ideally with a focus on economic empowerment.
  • At least 10 years of progressive responsibility in development sector with proven track record of integrating gender equality outcomes in programs and operations.
  • At least 7 years of leading, coaching and managing teams. A superb people manager and collaborative leader, who inspires and motivates others.
  • Experience living and working in Africa; knowledge of African social, economic and political contexts is essential.
  • Knowledge of and experience with the landscape of local, national, regional, and pan-African women’s organizations and networks.
  • Experience working with people who are displaced or disabled an asset.
  • Demonstrated expertise in developing gender analysis, design tools and trainings. Experience building capabilities in high-growth organizations.
  • Flexible, intellectually curious and open. Must be comfortable with ambiguity, receptive to new ideas, and willing to adapt.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to communicate to a variety of audiences across cultures, locations and levels of the organization.
  • Ability to think independently and critically and use sound professional judgment in decision-making.
  • Results driven and motivated by a high sense of performance excellence with a sense of urgency.
  • Ability to travel internationally, and across Africa, as required.

TO APPLY

Please email your resume along with a cover letter explaining your interest in the position to robin.barrett@wardhowell.ca, indicating “Associate Director, Gender” in the subject line of your email. We will forward resumes to a search firm who is supporting this search. All applications are appreciated; however, please note that only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

 

Mastercard Foundation values the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the Foundation, and are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone.  We appreciate your interest, and advise that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly.

Completion of satisfactory business references, background checks (criminal and credit) and proof of education are essential conditions of employment.

If you require accommodation during the recruitment and selection process, please contact the People and Culture Department. We will work with you to provide a positive recruitment experience in a confidential manner.

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