Lead: Digital Economy - Mastercard Foundation

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Director, Digital Economy, the Lead, Digital Economy will be responsible for contributing to the delivery of the Pan African Digital Economy programs and engaging partners throughout program design & implementation by providing insight and expertise on digital economies.

You will apply your industry expertise, leadership, and knowledge of the current and future tech ecosystems to advise the Foundation on how to create meaningful and market-responsive interventions. Additionally, you will work collaboratively with other Foundation staff to advance the role of technology both as an enabler and as an economic sector.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Provide digital technology expertise to support the design and management of programs that leverage technology to scale country-level inclusive education, financial and labour systems in Africa.
• Contribute insights to the Foundation’s thought leadership on digital skills development in Africa by writing blogs, attending and presenting at conferences and identifying other opportunities to share and deepen learning.?Sharing learning and supporting country teams.
• Design and manage programs that enable job creation and create work opportunities for young people in the sector.
• Design and delivery of appropriate mechanisms to monitor effectiveness and impact of skills development interventions in close collaboration with the Impact Learning team.
• Collaborate with the program and country teams to leverage synergies across programs and across geographies.
• Manage partnerships and distil learnings for the country and technical teams as well as wider Foundation staff.
• Participate in governance activities related to programs, such as investment committees, advisory committees or other stakeholder fora to provide oversight or elevate and leverage learnings.
• Identify challenges and opportunities in the digital economy to drive job growth.
• Lead and supervise teams of colleagues and/or junior experts by providing coaching and support necessary for success and growth.
• Build partnerships and maintain relationships with key stakeholders at country-level, communities of practice and global stakeholders.
• Represent the Foundation and collaborate with key internal and external audiences.

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in technology, business, or a related field from a recognized institution.
• Professional qualifications and membership in a relevant professional body.
• Minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience, with at least 3 years in a supervisory role.
• Experience in a commercial role within a digital technology industry, particularly those serving low-income markets (e.g., product management, strategy, or design).
• Familiarity with emerging technologies and digital sectors, such as AI, data analytics, platform economy, digital financial services, and e-government.

• Background in nonprofit or public sector roles related to digital technology.
• Strong understanding of African socio-economic and political contexts, with experience living and/or working on the continent.
• Experience in digital economy program design within the development sector is an asset.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills; ability to act as a thought partner in strategic planning.
• Proficient in budgeting and managing large portfolios.
• Skilled in both qualitative and quantitative business analytics.
• Strong project management experience, particularly in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Knowledge of digital inclusion policies is an advantage.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute various job duties and changing priorities.
• Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills and the ability to articulate information to various 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.

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