Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

The Mastercard Foundation seeks a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. All people, no matter where their starting point in life, should have an equal chance to succeed. We believe that with access to education, financial services, and skills training, people can have that chance.

Responsibilities or duties

Develop and implement the Foundation’s Climate Action Strategy and Roadmap, aligned with the Young Africa Works strategy to address climate change.

Lead advocacy and partnership-building efforts to maximize impact on climate-related issues.

Monitor global and local climate policy and science trends to inform and adjust the Foundation’s priorities.

Contribute to the consolidated Pan African Programs Strategy, overseeing climate-related programs within PANA and country-level initiatives.

Manage a team of climate experts to ensure effective program execution, set goals, monitor performance, and ensure high-quality outcomes and impact measurements.

Collaborate with PANA and Country Directors to design and deliver programs with overlapping themes.

Build partnerships with governments, NGOs, research institutions, and private sector organizations to drive collaborative climate efforts.

Represent the Foundation at high-level conferences, meetings, and policy discussions related to climate change.

Advocate for climate policies that align with the Foundation’s vision at the country, continental, and international levels.

Serve as a spokesperson for the Foundation’s climate initiatives and oversee communication strategies highlighting the Foundation’s climate impact.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Master’s degree in social science, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Public Policy, or a related field.

Experience needed

Minimum of 15 years relevant experience in a similar organization, with 5 years at a senior management level.

Proven leadership experience in nonprofit organizations focused on climate change, with a strong understanding of climate science, global environmental issues, and policy landscapes.

Extensive experience in climate action strategy, program design, and implementation across Africa, including at the continent level.

Strong knowledge of local, national, regional, and Pan-African organizations, networks, and country-specific social, economic, and political contexts.

Experience working with organizations focused on gender initiatives within climate action.

Proven leadership, team management, negotiation, and partnership-building skills.

Strong advocacy and policy influence, with knowledge of global and regional climate initiatives and trends.

Strategic thinker with expertise in developing long-term climate solutions.

Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a track record of managing diverse teams and engaging high-level stakeholders.

Demonstrate professional maturity, cultural sensitivity, and integrity that reflect the values of the Mastercard Foundation.

• Develop and implement the Foundation’s Climate Action Strategy and Roadmap, aligned with the Young Africa Works strategy to address climate change.
• Lead advocacy and partnership-building efforts to maximize impact on climate-related issues.
• Monitor global and local climate policy and science trends to inform and adjust the Foundation’s priorities.
• Contribute to the consolidated Pan African Programs Strategy, overseeing climate-related programs within PANA and country-level initiatives.
• Manage a team of climate experts to ensure effective program execution, set goals, monitor performance, and ensure high-quality outcomes and impact measurements.
• Collaborate with PANA and Country Directors to design and deliver programs with overlapping themes.
• Build partnerships with governments, NGOs, research institutions, and private sector organizations to drive collaborative climate efforts.
• Represent the Foundation at high-level conferences, meetings, and policy discussions related to climate change.
• Advocate for climate policies that align with the Foundation’s vision at the country, continental, and international levels.
• Serve as a spokesperson for the Foundation’s climate initiatives and oversee communication strategies highlighting the Foundation’s climate impact.

• Leadership
• Team management
• Negotiation
• Partnership-building
• Advocacy
• Policy influence
• Strategic thinking
• Communication
• Interpersonal skills

• Master’s degree in social science, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Minimum of 15 years relevant experience in a similar organization, with 5 years at a senior management level.
• Proven leadership experience in nonprofit organizations focused on climate change, with a strong understanding of climate science, global environmental issues, and policy landscapes.
• Extensive experience in climate action strategy, program design, and implementation across Africa, including at the continent level.
• Strong knowledge of local, national, regional, and Pan-African organizations, networks, and country-specific social, economic, and political contexts.
• Experience working with organizations focused on gender initiatives within climate action.
• Proven leadership, team management, negotiation, and partnership-building skills.
• Strong advocacy and policy influence, with knowledge of global and regional climate initiatives and trends.
• Strategic thinker with expertise in developing long-term climate solutions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a track record of managing diverse teams and engaging high-level stakeholders.
• Professional maturity, cultural sensitivity, and integrity that reflect the values of the Mastercard Foundation.