Mastercard foundation
The Mastercard Foundation is currently recruiting a Lead, Youth Engagement for its Ghana office—a pivotal role that will shape how young people’s voices are integrated into national development efforts.
The position is full-time, based in Accra, and reports directly to the Head of Inclusion.
With just four days left to apply (deadline: July 15, 2025), this opportunity is ideal for professionals passionate about youth inclusion, systems change, and stakeholder engagement.
Key Responsibilities at a Glance
This role blends strategic leadership, partnership engagement, and operational delivery. Areas of responsibility include:
Program Integration
- Work with the Country Director and Head of Inclusion to embed youth engagement in Ghana’s Country Roadmap
- Collaborate with internal teams such as Impact Measurement, Research, and Communications to align efforts
Youth-Centered Strategy
- Oversee implementation of the Foundation’s Youth Engagement Strategy
- Ensure youth feedback is consistently reflected in program design and decision-making
Partnership Development
- Support implementing partners to build outreach mechanisms that center youth perspectives
- Identify and engage youth-led organizations aligned with the Foundation’s vision
Inclusion and Representation
- Promote the meaningful inclusion of: Young people with disabilities (target: 5%) and Refugees and displaced youth (target: 2%)
- Develop and roll out tools, training, and support structures for inclusive programming
Learning and Knowledge Sharing
- Collaborate with the Knowledge Management team to document insights from youth engagement
- Mobilize learnings across the Foundation’s portfolio and with external partners
Alumni and Youth Platforms
- Manage digital and in-person platforms for engaging alumni and broader youth networks
- Elevate youth contributions in public dialogue, innovation, and policy spaces
Who Should Apply?
Ideal candidates will bring a strong mix of technical expertise, lived experience, and regional knowledge.
The Foundation is seeking someone who can think strategically, work collaboratively, and deliver on complex programs.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in social sciences, development, education, gender studies, or a related discipline
- Professional membership or certification in a relevant field is an advantage
Experience
At least 10 years of experience in;
- Partnership management and stakeholder coordination
- Gender-responsive and youth-focused programming
- Capacity building and organizational strengthening
Experience in programming that supports:
- Refugee or displaced youth
- Youth with disabilities
Technical and Personal Skills
- Strong project management, time management, and organizational skills
- Demonstrated ability to apply gender and inclusion analysis tools
- Excellent communication skills, including report writing and stakeholder briefings
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Integrity, cultural sensitivity, and alignment with the Foundation’s values
Why It’s a Strategic Role
As philanthropic institutions shift toward locally led and inclusive development, this role is designed to place Ghana’s youth—especially the most marginalized—at the center of transformative change.
The Youth Engagement Lead will help:
- Shape how funds are allocated and programs are structured
- Ensure that young people’s lived experiences inform high-level decision-making
- Build bridges between grassroots youth organizations and national strategies
For anyone with a passion for inclusion, youth development, and impact at scale, this position offers the chance to lead from within one of Africa’s most influential philanthropic organizations.
Why This Role Matters
Across Africa, the Mastercard Foundation is known for its vision of a world where young people can access dignified and fulfilling work. In Ghana, that vision is anchored in the Ghana Reimagined roadmap, a bold strategy focused on inclusive, youth-led growth.
By hiring a dedicated Youth Engagement Lead, the Foundation is doubling down on its commitment to:
- Center youth voices in the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs
- Engage marginalized groups—especially young people with disabilities and refugee youth
- Drive local partnerships that strengthen the youth development ecosystem
