ABOUT MASTERCARD FOUNDATION
Mastercard Foundation seeks a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. Through its Young Africa Works strategy and Canadian EleV program, the Foundation works with partners to ensure that millions of young people, especially young women, access quality education, financial services, and dignified work. Mastercard Foundation was established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company. The Foundation is independent with its own Board of Directors and CEO.
UNDERSTANDING CANADA PROGRAMS AT THE FOUNDATION
The Foundation has begun working within Canada in partnership with Indigenous communities and post-secondary institutions to listen, learn, and best understand how we can act in meaningful ways. The EleV strategy was co-created with Indigenous communities, young people, and partners to enable 100,000 Indigenous youth to complete their education and transition to dignified work aligned with their values and aspirations.
As reflected in Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, education is a key driver of improved socio-economic well-being. Through building partnerships with Indigenous communities, we look to expand our initiative ultimately helping to support a generation of transformative Indigenous young leaders who will be change agents within their communities. We believe that by setting a bold target, we will encourage engagement across sectors and create momentum that will elevate the strengths and opportunities of Indigenous youth. In keeping with our approach, Indigenous communities and young people will be the drivers of this transformation. The program will promote innovations to address longer-term systemic change to achieve economic prosperity and social well-being within Indigenous communities.
The EleV team oversees current and emerging partnerships related to Indigenous education. Consistent with our overall vision and Youth Africa Works strategy, we will share learnings and opportunities to connect across the work of the Foundation. While operating in distinct contexts, the centrality of youth voice and vision, affirmation of culture and identity, and priority to enhance community capacity for self-determination are common threads upon which our work is strengthened and reinforced.
If you are an experienced professional in Indigenous Education and Employment Programming looking to increase your impact, read on!
THE OPPORTUNITY
Reporting to the Senior Director, Canada, the Head of Program Development will oversee partner management and development by executing a strategic roadmap to enable Indigenous youth to complete their education and transition to meaningful employment aligned with their aspirations. This role requires strategic vision, strong leadership, and the ability to build and sustain a high-performing team to drive impactful programs across various thematic areas, including education, health, entrepreneurship, digital and land stewardship.
The successful candidate will be based in Toronto or work remotely.
WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE
- Drive Canada program strategy and roadmap based on focus sectors and aiming towards systems change.
- Translate strategies into actionable plans, reflecting the Foundation's values and priorities.
- Promote a culture of innovation and agility, fostering the development of new programs delivered through our program partners.
- Provide strategic direction on the portfolio, ensure programming meets Foundation values and priorities, and position the Foundation in Canada.
- Oversee Canada programs design and delivery.
- Ensure strategic cohesion, coordination of programming efforts, and knowledge sharing within the Foundation while collaborating with other professionals.
- Manage risks related to the portfolio and propose respective mitigation plans for resolution.
- Ensure implementation enables meaningful employment opportunities for Indigenous youth aligned with their aspirations and values.
- Cultivate relationships and facilitate engagements (e.g., roundtables, forums) with external thought leaders to advance the Foundation’s reputation as a thought leader.
- Build strong relationships with Indigenous education and employment networks that provide impact-oriented platforms for youth as change agents.
- Facilitate sharing of expertise and lessons learned across theme teams formally and informally, convening theme teams and expertise from the rest of the organization as needed.
- Promote collaboration and information sharing within the thematic area both inside and outside of the organization.
- Interacting with counterparts from other program teams to ensure strategic cohesion.
- Effectively Lead a high-functioning program team in Canada.
- Model and reinforce the Foundation’s values in team behaviours and interactions.
- Coach direct reports across the team to support their productivity in the consistently excellent delivery of program KPIs.
WHO YOU ARE
- Advanced degree in development, business, education or a related field.
- A minimum of ten (10) years of experience driving strategy and program success with organizations across Canada.
- Ten (10+) years of leadership and management experience, of which at least five were gained in an Indigenous community context.
- Experience building large-scale initiatives and expertise in at least two thematic areas of education, entrepreneurship, health, digital and land stewardship.
- Deep knowledge of Indigenous youth education and employment and the innovation landscape.
- Experience in public policy within nonprofit organizations, international NGO, and learning institutions is helpful.
- Proven experience effectively engaging with senior government officials, key partners, media, business leaders and other influential individuals.
- Strong coordination and project management skills.
- Excellent organizational and prioritization skills; demonstrated attention to detail and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Exposure to systems thinking with an ability to understand and engage with stakeholders in different ecosystems and design programming that addresses root causes and critical needs.
- Substantive knowledge of critical issues, emerging trends, and barriers facing Indigenous youth.
- Excellent multi-stakeholder management skills with senior Foundation colleagues and senior levels of external stakeholders.
- Ability to build and directly manage small and agile teams of 2 – 4, but regularly engage with many more across the thematic areas and countries.
- Fosters a positive spirit of collaboration in a complex and rapidly evolving environment.
- Results Orientation, innovation and entrepreneurial.
- Progressive and creative thinker with innovative perspectives on entrepreneurship development across the various thematic areas.
- 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 to 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 July 30, 2024.
Mastercard Foundation (the “Foundation”) values and respects your privacy. By submitting an application for this opportunity, you hereby agree to the Foundation’s collection, use and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy (available at https://mastercardfdn.org/privacy/). Please note that the Foundation may share your personal information with third-party agencies that support the Foundation’s recruitment activities, and such third-party agencies may contact you directly regarding this opportunity. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Foundation’s Privacy Officer at the address indicated in its Privacy Policy.
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.
For more information and to sign up for the Foundation’s newsletter, please visit http://www.mastercardfdn.org/
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