Program Partner, Gender and Inclusion Full-time Job

About the Mastercard Foundation

The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work.

It is one of the largest foundations in the world with more than $40 billion in assets.

It was created in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company. Since its inception, the Foundation has operated independently of the company.

The Program Partner, Gender and Inclusion

We are looking for a Program Partner to join our dynamic Gender and Inclusion team to advance gender equality and inclusive development, primarily through our Young Africa Works portfolio. You will bring a solid grounding and subject-matter expertise in gender equality and women’s empowerment, social inclusion, disability rights and inclusive economic development as well as project management, and strong analytical skills to support program development, implementation and monitoring.

You will join a team of passionate colleagues committed to gender equality and social inclusion.

The Program Partner, Gender and Inclusion will report to the Lead, Gender and Inclusion and will be based in Accra or in any of our regional offices in Africa. If you are passionate about using evidence-based, inclusive, gender transformative and human rights approaches to create sustainable impact in the lives of young people in Africa and Indigenous communities in Canada, this is the opportunity for you!

Way You Can Contribute

Supports the Program Team by ensuring gender equality and social inclusion are addressed at all stages of the program cycle in the Young Africa Works strategy in Ghana and/ or other countries as assigned. This includes program development, implementation, learning and evaluation.

Supports program teams and partners in designing, implementing, and measuring gender transformative, inclusive and equitable programs in close collaboration with partners’ GESI specialists.

Works with program staff and partners to strengthen the application of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) evidence for improved programming. Ensure gender-related learnings from program implementation are identified and incorporated in program plans.

Participates in partner portfolio reviews by providing guidance on gender integration and other areas of social inclusion including in entrepreneurship, youth livelihoods, education, agriculture, digital economy sectors and decent work.

Works with partners to analyze existing M&E and data collection processes and tools to identify gender and inclusion related gaps and support the development of specific improvements to address these gaps.

Identifies relevant opportunities to enhance staff and partner GESI capacities. Works with partners to deliver gender, inclusion and safeguarding capacity-building initiatives including training, technical assistance, and workshops as needed.

Conducts desk reviews of existing and potential partner organizational GESI policies, capacities and tools to inform potential partnership development and GESI mainstreaming into programmatic and operational activities.

Reviews relevant partner reports to assess their progress on gender equality and social inclusion-related outputs and outcomes.

Supports partner meetings with the GESI lens, working with facilitators to ensure a diversity of participants is included, accessibility is ensured, and differing viewpoints are considered.

Coordinates with internal units (e.g. Communications, Country and Regional offices) on external engagements and activities focused on gender equality and social inclusion, as needed.

Assists in the design and planning of GESI knowledge dissemination activities in Ghana and other countries. Represents the Foundation at relevant workshops and conferences.

Works with internal learning teams to document promising practices on gender equality and social inclusion from Foundation funded programs.

Collaborates with other program teams to contribute to program design that recognizes the diversity and unique identities of communities across Africa and Indigenous communities in Canada.

Stays up-to-date on key gender equality, disability rights and social inclusion debates. Identifies innovative inclusive solutions that could improve Foundation funded programs. Share new GESI related data, evidence and debates with the Mastercard Foundation team through internal workshops, meetings, and newsletters.

Who You Are

Master’s degree in a field relevant to gender equality, disability rights, social inclusion, women’s studies or economic development required. Additional experience/ relevant degrees in relevant fields may be substituted for advanced education.

Minimum 5-7 years of experience applying GESI lenses in international development programming including in sectors like youth employment, entrepreneurship, education and/ or agriculture required.

Solid grasp of issues relevant to economic empowerment of women and youth. Experience with GESI policy advocacy or policy research is an added advantage.

Detailed knowledge of innovative approaches to apply a gender equality lens and promote inclusion across various industries in sub-Saharan Africa and Indigenous communities in Canada.

In depth knowledge and familiarity with research methods, and analytical skills related to gender equality and social inclusion.

Strong data analysis, monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL) skills. Solid understanding of results-based management practices.

Experience planning and implementing gender equality, disability and social inclusion capacity building trainings, workshops, and meetings.

Ability to develop and implement communications and outreach strategies to increase awareness on gender equality, social inclusion, and related issues.

Strong relationship building, interpersonal, and collaboration skills. Ability to influence others and create an inclusive, cohesive team environment.

Commitment to the Foundation’s values and vision with demonstrated passion for gender equality and social inclusion.

Experience working with individuals and organizations from diverse backgrounds, including youth, women, and people with disabilities.

Fluency in English (written and verbal) required; proficiency in French is preferred.

The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest foundations in the world with over $40 billion in assets.