Lead, Program Operations at Mastercard Foundation

Mastercard Foundation is a global foundation based across four hubs in Kigali, Rwanda, Nairobi, Kenya, Accra, Ghana and Toronto, Canada. 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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Lead, Program Operations

Location: Lagos
Job Type: Full time

The Opportunity

• Reporting to the Head, Operations – Country Programs, the Lead, Program Operations will support a Country Programs Team by driving program planning, pipeline management, and operational efficiency.
• This role oversees program implementation processes, policies, and guidelines while enhancing capacity building across platforms.
• It also ensures rigorous monitoring and acceleration of program execution for effective delivery.

Ways You can Contribute

• Manage the country’s program-wide 24-month rolling calendar of priorities and activities.
• Lead the coordination of country program activities, ensuring effective prioritization and execution.
• Work with the Country Director, Program Leads, and Finance to oversee all programs forecast planning, budgeting, and the annual planning cycle.
• Track and collate program-wide portfolio implementation plans, progress, and status reports.
• Organize and lead the country review and planning retreats, coordinating with committees across functional units to develop annual operational delivery plans and trackers linked to budgets.
• Develop, implement, and govern programming guidelines, tools, policies, and processes to ensure standardization, quality assurance, and efficiency.
• Manage revisions to the Country Integrated Team's programmatic processes, policies, and guidelines.
• Implement process improvements and drive efficiencies in program delivery.
• Maintain and report on turnaround time (TAT) trackers for partnership development and pipeline acceleration.
• Drive process excellence and capacity building within program teams through training, workshops, and learning initiatives in coordination with Research, Knowledge Management, and Foundation Academy.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and strategic cohesion among Country Directors and program operations teams.
• Accelerate program execution and delivery through active monitoring, tracking, and status reviews.
• Develop and manage integrated plans, tracking progress and milestones through regular status updates.
• Lead the execution of complex country initiatives and enterprise-wide projects involving country team members and external stakeholders.

Who You Are

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Economics, Statistics, or a related field; a master’s or postgraduate degree is an asset.
• Relevant professional qualifications in program management and planning. Certifications in Project Management, Change Management, and Process Management are added advantages.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in project and program management across both private and public sectors.
• Proven ability to develop and operationalize tools for planning, monitoring performance indicators, and ensuring operational excellence.
• Expertise in developing, implementing, and tracking strategic, portfolio, and operational plans, including roadmaps and partnerships.
• Experience in process design and improvement using globally recognized frameworks such as Lean Six Sigma.
• Familiarity with diverse planning frameworks, particularly those emphasizing inclusion (youth, marginalized groups, and women).
• Experience in capacity building and stakeholder engagement to enhance skills and competencies.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills to define root causes, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
• Detail-oriented, methodical, and process-driven approach to delivering high-quality results under pressure.
• Strong prioritization and organizational skills to manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Ability to listen actively, provide and receive constructive feedback, and build strong, collaborative relationships.
• Tech-savvy with an aptitude for learning new information design and communication technologies.
• Agile, adaptable, and comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced, and ambiguous environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal, written, and presentation), with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders across cultures.
• Professional maturity, cultural sensitivity, and integrity in all interactions.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Application Closing Date
12th March, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online