Head of Impact Labs (Consultant Role)

Mastercard Foundation is hiring a Head of Impact Labs (Consultant) to spearhead high-priority innovation initiatives across Africa. This opportunity is ideal for experienced innovation leaders passionate about impact-driven change and ready to lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver scalable, systemic solutions aligned with Africa’s development agenda.

Key Job Information

• Position: Head of Impact Labs (Consultant)
• Location: Africa (Offices in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, or Senegal)
• Employment Type: Full-time, 1-Year Contract
• Experience Level: Senior
• Salary Range: Competitive and commensurate with experience

About Mastercard Foundation

Mastercard Foundation is a leading philanthropic organization focused on creating inclusive and equitable economic opportunities for young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada. Established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard Inc., the Foundation operates independently with headquarters in Toronto and regional offices in major African cities including Nairobi, Kigali, Accra, Addis Ababa, Kampala, Dakar, and Lagos.

With the ambitious goal of enabling 30 million young Africans to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030 through the Young Africa Works strategy, and empowering 100,000 Indigenous youth in Canada under the EleV strategy, Mastercard Foundation leverages innovation, partnerships, and co-creation to deliver impact at scale. The organization is rooted in values of humility, inclusion, collaboration, and agility—where bold ideas meet practical execution.

Job Description

Reporting directly to the Director, Innovation & Impact Labs, the Head of Impact Labs will lead the design, implementation, and scale-up of innovation initiatives that drive systemic change. This role will focus on strengthening operational discipline and ensuring quality delivery of solutions that support the Foundation’s strategic goals.

The successful candidate will help evolve the Labs’ service model, manage multidisciplinary teams, foster collaborative partnerships, and deliver innovations aligned with youth employment, entrepreneurship, and education systems in Africa. This is a highly dynamic, influential role that sits at the intersection of development, technology, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the full innovation lifecycle—from opportunity identification to large-scale adoption of solutions across Foundation programs.
• Lead and facilitate co-creation sessions with internal teams and partners to develop impactful, user-centered innovations.
• Drive the evolution of the service delivery model to enhance standardization, scalability, and sustainability of Lab processes.
• Manage thematic innovation domains, leveraging human-centered design and data-driven methods to solve complex challenges.
• Support the scaling and institutionalization of innovations aligned with Young Africa Works and EleV strategies.
• Foster relationships with cross-functional teams and strategic partners to ensure collaboration and synergy.
• Represent the Labs in key thought leadership platforms and drive visibility for innovation achievements.
• Mentor and lead Lab teams, aligning talent development with organizational goals and culture.
• Contribute to cross-functional priorities across the Impact, Research & Learning division.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree or equivalent experience in innovation, international development, economics, or related fields.
• Minimum 10 years of experience managing complex, cross-sector innovation or social impact projects, ideally within the African context.
• Strong command of participatory and human-centered design, systems thinking, and adaptive strategy frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to work in multicultural, interdisciplinary teams with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in English is required; knowledge of French is an advantage.
• Track record of leadership in dynamic, agile environments and ability to guide both strategic planning and execution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with youth employment, digital transformation, or education systems in Africa.
• Deep understanding of African development ecosystems and policy environments.
• Expertise in impact measurement, knowledge generation, and continuous learning strategies.
• Experience with innovation labs, accelerators, or incubation hubs.

Benefits and Compensation

Mastercard Foundation offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package tailored to the needs of high-performing global professionals. Benefits include:

• Attractive salary based on experience and qualifications
• Medical insurance and wellness support
• Opportunities for ongoing professional development
• Access to a vibrant, values-driven organizational culture
• Meaningful work with significant social impact across Africa
• Opportunity to influence systems-level innovation for youth employment

How to Apply

If you are a strategic thinker with a strong innovation background and a passion for transforming lives in Africa, Mastercard Foundation encourages you to apply. Please submit your application using the “Apply Now” button below before the deadline on July 4, 2025.

For additional information about the Foundation’s impact, values, and strategies, visit www.mastercardfdn.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitter @MastercardFdn.

Note: Completion of satisfactory business references and background checks is a requirement for employment.