Lead, Program Operations at Mastercard Foundation

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Lead, Program Operations at 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.

We are pleased to let you know that the Mastercard Foundation Recruitment portal is currently accepting online applications from interested candidates to fill the position of Lead, Program Operations.

To be selected for this job, you need to possess all the required qualifications and meet all requirements before applying for Mastercard Foundation Recruitment 2025.

Applications are invited for the position below:

Table of Contents

Job Title: Lead, Program Operations

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.

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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.

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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.