Lead, Entrepreneurship

Mastercard Foundation is seeking an experienced Lead, Entrepreneurship to join its team in Kenya. This is a full-time position focused on supporting entrepreneurship programs that drive inclusive economic growth, especially for young people. If you are passionate about entrepreneurship jobs in Kenya and want to make a meaningful impact in youth employment and financial inclusion, this is the opportunity for you.

Key Job Information

• Position: Lead, Entrepreneurship
• Location: Kenya
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Application Deadline: July 9, 2025
• Job Requisition ID: JR-0000000267

About Mastercard Foundation

The Mastercard Foundation is a globally recognized Canadian charity committed to unlocking economic potential through access to education and financial inclusion. With a focus on Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada, the Foundation’s programs are helping young people access dignified and fulfilling work.

In Africa, its flagship initiative — Young Africa Works — aims to enable 30 million young people, particularly women, to find meaningful employment by 2030. In Kenya, the Foundation works with governments, institutions, and local communities to implement inclusive solutions that promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and systemic change.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of Entrepreneurship, the Lead, Entrepreneurship will play a strategic role in shaping and executing the Foundation’s entrepreneurship strategy in Kenya. The ideal candidate will provide technical insights, oversee program implementation, and nurture partnerships that support youth-led businesses, innovation hubs, and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development of the Kenyan country strategy through entrepreneurship-specific insights and market knowledge.
• Manage entrepreneurship programs related to financial inclusion, youth employment, and SME development, with emphasis on rural and agricultural sectors.
• Adapt program strategies to align with Kenya’s dynamic entrepreneurial environment and community needs.
• Collaborate with implementation partners, providing guidance and ensuring timely, impactful execution.
• Foster strong partnerships with organizations across the entrepreneurial ecosystem including incubators, accelerators, MFIs, and banks.
• Lead initiatives that promote scalable innovations and improve the sustainability of entrepreneurship programs.
• Track performance metrics, collect data, and evaluate impact to support continuous improvement and evidence-based decision making.
• Support thought leadership by documenting success stories, lessons learned, and best practices in youth entrepreneurship and financial systems.
• Coordinate internal working groups and engage cross-functional teams aligned with entrepreneurial development goals.

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in microfinance, investment firms, or banking with direct exposure to SME financing in Africa.
• At least 5 years in a leadership or management role within the entrepreneurship or development finance space.
• In-depth knowledge of the Kenyan entrepreneurship landscape, including informal, rural, and agricultural business sectors.
• Proven ability to manage implementation partners and collaborate on large-scale development initiatives.
• Strong experience with budgeting, portfolio management, and quantitative/qualitative analysis.
• Excellent project management and communication skills across culturally diverse teams.
• Familiarity with systems change approaches and digital inclusion policy is a plus.

Why Join Mastercard Foundation?

• Work with a mission-driven team passionate about creating economic opportunities in Africa.
• Contribute to high-impact projects that support millions of young entrepreneurs across the continent.
• Be part of a globally respected philanthropic institution with a strong local presence in Kenya.
• Engage in thought leadership and innovation that influences regional entrepreneurship ecosystems.

How to Apply

Ready to take your career to the next level in non-profit entrepreneurship program management? Apply today to join Mastercard Foundation and help transform lives through job creation and inclusive growth in Kenya.

Application Deadline: July 9, 2025

Visit the official website at www.mastercardfdn.org for more information and to apply.

Click the “Apply” button below to submit your application.