Head of Program Communications, West, Central & North Africa 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 recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Head of Program Communications, West, Central & North Africa

Location: Nigeria

The Opportunity

• Reporting to the Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer, the role will be responsible for developing Public Affairs and Communications program strategies and driving the implementation of initiatives while navigating Francophone Africa.
• This role leads the implementation of communications best practices, builds communications capacity within the program communications team for the West, Central & North Africa docket. Elevates the Foundation’s reputation and brand and amplifies the impact of the Foundation’s work.
• The successful candidate will be based in any of these offices in Africa – (Ghana, Nigeria or Senegal).

Ways You Can Contribute

• Develop strategic direction for the West, Central & North Africa communication portfolio and ensure effective implementation in support of program objectives.
• Provide counsel and strategic advice to the Regional Country Directors.
• Manage and develop the team and ensure the development and strengthening of innovative communications models and channels.
• Manage multistakeholder relationships and collaborate closely with key stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives.
• Work closely across functions to develop findings and insights from regional partnerships and curate information that is consumed by decision-makers in Africa and globally.
• Develop and implement a program communications strategy for West, Central & North Africa.
• Develop specialized campaigns to ensure findings and insights are synthesized and shared with key decision makers including both internal and external stakeholders.
• Craft campaigns and messages that are thoughtful and positioned to reach priority audiences including governments, private sector, other funders, and young people.
• Support and guide senior team members and subject matter experts, positioning them as ambassadors for the Foundation at all forums; Work cross-functionally to prepare them with subject-matter expertise, key messaging, briefs and logistics/tech support to engage effectively at major events and with the media.
• Improve the quality of communications through the development of new skills and tools and enable adoption of innovative communications methods with the goal of improving execution both within the Foundation and through partnerships.
• Develop mechanisms, systems and tools that ensure messaging is consistent across all mediums, forums, and countries.
• Identify, extract and reformat key findings from the Impact team to be shared with a larger internal and external audiences.
• Align key partnerships to the Foundation’s values and objectives.
• Develop and manage budgets for the regional program communications portfolio.
• Engage with key stakeholders including new partnerships and outreach, especially targeting women and young people.
• Facilitate the engagement of leaders in relevant high-impact forums to advance thought leadership aligned with core programs.
• Cultivate relationships with top journalists, bloggers, thought leaders, influencers and other media personnel to help shape the Foundation’s image in line with the country strategy.
• Work with youth ambassadors and young people in the Foundation’s programs to elevate voices and views of young people.
• Build productive and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders (i.e. Regional Directors, Program staff, Foundation leaders, and Country leaders).
• Build and provide support to teams around effective internal and external communication to resolve issues / crisis as required.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and development to the team using a supportive and collaborative approach on a consistent basis. Promote a culture of high performance and willingness to learn.

Who You Are

• Master’s Degree in Communications, Management and/or a related field is required.
• At least 15-20 years of experience working in Africa for a global or regional organization in development, education or an NGO. Experience in senior management or engagement with government, private and the public sector are also valued.
• Experience with health, secondary education, tertiary education, inclusion, building strong alumni networks, entrepreneurship valued.
• Experience in managing, leading, and coaching a diverse team located in multiple locations.
• Experience working with a senior team and providing counsel.
• Able to build communications capacity at different levels of the organization and within partner organizations.
• Experience working in Africa and with a range of Africa-led organizations.
• Experience living/working in a global context will be helpful.
• French language is required and the ability to navigate Francophone Africa.
• Demonstrated ability to build a communications strategy, execute it, and achieve results to support the organization’s objectives. Able to point to a track record of results.
• Savvy with building strategies for digital and social media, particularly mediums to reach young people and other targeted audiences.
• Excellent communications skills (both verbal and written) with strong interpersonal and listening abilities.
• A superior communicator who is progressive, highly creative and flexible. A compelling storyteller who is naturally curious.
• Skilled in managing and mitigating risk.
• Comfortable with ambiguity, receptive to new ideas, and willing to change when presented with best options.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment with a “hands-on” approach. Has an appreciation for the importance of results and measurement.
• A bias for results through collaboration and teamwork.
• Ability to work effectively at all levels and receptive to feedback.
• Willingness to engage in a consultative manner to shape and execute Program Communications, both within and external to the Foundation.
• Innovative and entrepreneurial and able to formulate new or creative approaches to problems.
• Inspires others on the team to do so as well.
• Able to develop strong partnerships and networks that will advance the Foundation’s mission and reputation with decision-makers and diverse constituencies.
• Ability to build strong relationships throughout the Foundation.
• Passionate about the mission of the Foundation and is intrigued by the substance of the Foundation’s programs, the people behind the work and, most importantly, the people impacted by the work.
• Results driven and motivated by a high sense of performance excellence and urgency.
• Professional maturity, humility, and sensitivity to working within different cultures.
• Impeccable integrity.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Application Closing Date
6th January, 2022.