THE OPPORTUNITY
This is an exciting opportunity for a senior education leader to help shape the future of education and youth transitions across Africa. Reporting to the Senior Director, Secondary Education and Transitions (SET), the Senior Technical Advisor, SET is a trusted advisor to the SET platform and Mastercard Foundation leadership. You will influence strategy, inform high-impact programming, and engage with governments, development partners, and key education stakeholders to drive transformative changes in education systems.
This role is ideal for a thought leader who is passionate about challenging conventional approaches, advancing innovation, and helping scale impactful education solutions that improve opportunities for young people.
Contract duration: 1 Year.
This role offers a rare opportunity to influence education transformation at scale, working alongside visionary leaders and partners to help create more inclusive pathways for young people to learn, thrive, and access dignified work across Africa.
WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE
As a strategic advisor and trusted thought partner, you will provide technical expertise, ecosystem insights, and stakeholder engagement support to strengthen the Foundation's education portfolio and long-term impact.
Key areas of contribution include:
- Advise on the development of education strategies, transformative initiatives, and program design across the SET portfolio.
- Provide expert insight on education systems, policy trends, and emerging opportunities across Africa.
- Support the design of sustainable, system-level interventions that improve learning outcomes and youth transitions to work.
- Cultivate and strengthen relationships with governments, ministries, education institutions, development partners, and other ecosystem actors.
- Contribute to thought leadership, evidence generation, policy engagement, and ecosystem convenings.
- Serve as a strategic sounding board to senior leaders while remaining hands-on in supporting program delivery and implementation.
Success in the role will be measured by:
- Timely delivery of high-quality advisory outputs and strategic recommendations.
- Positive stakeholder and government engagement outcomes.
- Effective contribution to program design, implementation, and impact.
- Strong alignment with Foundation values and strategic objectives.
- Ability to influence thinking, challenge assumptions, and advance innovative solutions across the education ecosystem.
WHO YOU ARE
You are a respected education expert with deep knowledge of African education systems and a passion for transforming learning and transition pathways for young people. You combine strategic thinking with a hands-on approach and are comfortable challenging ideas, influencing senior stakeholders, and navigating complex environments.
Mindset
- Visionary, innovative, and intellectually curious.
- Passionate about transforming education systems at scale.
- Comfortable challenging the status quo and driving new thinking.
- Collaborative and influential, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
- Equally capable of providing strategic guidance and rolling up your sleeves to deliver results.
Academic Qualifications
- Advanced academic background in Education, Public Policy, International Development, Social Sciences, or a related field.
- Additional postgraduate qualifications are advantageous.
Technical Experience
- 15+ years of experience in education, development, public sector, or related fields.
- Strong understanding of African education systems, policy landscapes, and reform priorities.
- Experience engaging with Ministries of Education, government agencies, development partners, NGOs, and other ecosystem stakeholders.
- Demonstrated expertise in strategy development, program design, implementation, and systems change.
- Knowledge of emerging trends in education, including technology-enabled learning, digital transformation, and workforce readiness.
Core Competencies
- Strategic advisory and thought leadership.
- Education policy and systems strengthening.
- Stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
- Program development and impact-driven implementation.
- Communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
- Strong judgment, diplomacy, and political acumen.
- Ability to work effectively across complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
Location Flexibility We are open to exceptional candidates based in any of our countries of operations in Africa, reflecting our commitment to attracting the best talent to advance impact across the continent.
The Mastercard Foundation values the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the organization and we are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone.
Completion of satisfactory business references and background checks are essential conditions of employment.
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Skills Required
- Advanced degree in Education, Public Policy, International Development, Social Sciences, or related field
- Additional postgraduate qualifications
- 15+ years of experience in education, development, public sector, or related fields
- Strong understanding of African education systems, policy landscapes, and reform priorities
- Experience engaging with Ministries of Education, government agencies, development partners, and NGOs
- Demonstrated expertise in strategy development, program design, implementation, and systems change
- Knowledge of emerging trends in education, including technology-enabled learning, digital transformation, and workforce readiness
- Strategic advisory, stakeholder engagement, and relationship management skills
- Strong communication, negotiation, influencing skills, and political acumen
- Completion of satisfactory business references and background checks
What We Do
The Mastercard Foundation is a registered Canadian charity that works with visionary organizations to advance education and financial inclusion, aiming to enable young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work.
