Director, Climate Action

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.

The Work at the Foundation

We are currently in an exciting period at the Mastercard Foundation as we intensify the implementation of the Young Africa Works strategy, aiming to empower 30 million young people throughout Africa to access dignified and fulfilling employment.

To ensure the Foundation’s accessibility to our partners and program participants, we have established offices in Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Uganda. These offices provide strong in-country support for the implementation of Young Africa Works. We collaborate with governments, the private sector, educators, and other funders to enhance the quality of education and vocational training, equip young individuals with the necessary skills for the workforce, expand access to financial services for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and facilitate connections between job seekers and meaningful employment opportunities.

Our values serve as our guiding principles, transcending and surpassing all other considerations. We wholeheartedly encourage you to bring your bold ideas, curiosity, and expertise to your work.

Job Summary

The Director of Climate Action will lead the Foundation’s climate change initiatives, developing and implementing strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change and promote environmental sustainability. This senior leadership role involves fostering partnerships and influencing policy to create a Pan African impact. The Director will work closely with the EXCO, Pana team, Country Directors, Program team, Partners, and other stakeholders to drive the Foundation’s climate action agenda.

The role holder is expected to be a subject matter expert within the Foundation and responsible for building the Climate Action Function within Pan-African Programs by designing the strategic direction, recruiting a team, and overseeing a portfolio of multi-country programs that will accelerate the Foundation’s commitment to enabling dignified and fulfilling work for young women and men.

1. Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the Foundation’s Climate Action Strategy and Roadmap, aligned with its Young Africa Work strategy to address climate change.
• Lead the foundation’s efforts in advocacy and partnership-building to maximize impact on climate-related issues.
• Monitor global and local trends in climate policy and science to adjust and inform the Foundation’s priorities.
• Contribute to the consolidated Pan African Programs Strategy

2. Program Development & Management

• Oversee the development of climate-related programs within PANA as well as all country programs
• Manage a team of climate experts to ensure effective execution of Programs and initiatives.
• Set programmatic goals, monitor performance, and ensure high-quality outcomes and impact measurements.
• Interface with PANA Directors and Country Directors in the design and delivery of Programs that have overlapping themes

3. Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

• Build and maintain partnerships with governments, Non-Governmental organizations, research institutions, and private sector organizations to drive collaborative efforts on climate action.
• Represent the Foundation at high-level conferences, meetings, and policy discussions related to climate change.
• Advocate for climate action policies that align with the Foundation’s vision at Country, Continent, and International levels.

4. Communications

• Serve as a spokesperson for the foundation’s climate initiatives
• Oversee the development of communication strategies highlighting the Foundation’s impact on climate action.

Academic and Professional Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Social Science, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Proven leadership experience in Nonprofit organizations focused on climate change.
• Strong understanding of climate science, global environmental issues, and related policy landscapes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a track record of managing diverse teams and engaging with high-level stakeholders

Experience

• Minimum of fifteen (15) years’ relevant experience in a similar organisation setting with five (5) at senior management level
• Experience and knowledge of/with the landscape of local, national, regional, and pan- African organizations and networks as well as knowledge of the country-specific social, economic and political contexts.
• Experience in climate action at the African continent level.
• Extensive experience in climate action strategy, program design and implementation in Africa
• Ability to be flexible within a fast-paced, changing environment
• Experience working with organizations that elevate Gender initiatives within the climate action space

Competencies

• Strategic thinking with a focus on long-term climate solutions.
• Leadership and team management.
• Strong negotiation and partnership-building skills.
• Advocacy and policy influence.
• Knowledge of global and regional climate initiatives and trends.

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