Senior Director, Data and Analytics (Canada/Africa)
Location: Canada or Africa (Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, Senegal, Ethiopia, Rwanda or Kenya)


About 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.


The work at the foundation
We are currently in an exciting period at the Mastercard Foundation as we intensify the implementation of the Young Africa Works strategy, aiming to empower 30 million young people throughout Africa to access dignified and fulfilling employment.
To ensure the Foundation’s accessibility to our partners and program participants, we have established offices in Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Uganda. These offices provide strong in-country support for the implementation of Young Africa Works. We collaborate with governments, the private sector, educators, and other funders to enhance the quality of education and vocational training, equip young individuals with the necessary skills for the workforce, expand access to financial services for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and facilitate connections between job seekers and meaningful employment opportunities.
Our values serve as our guiding principles, transcending and surpassing all other considerations. We wholeheartedly encourage you to bring your bold ideas, curiosity, and expertise to your work.

If you are an experienced professional in Data Analytics looking to increase your impact, read on! The opportunity
Reporting to the Chief Digital & Information Officer, the Senior Director, Data and Analytics will design and implement a data strategy that utilizes scalable and cost-optimized solutions, including modern cloud architecture, to enable the strategic priorities of the business including moving data led decision-making and growth targets. The role will drive and enable the groundwork required for a digitally enabled organization aligned with the strategy and roadmap of the Foundation. S/he will provide a deep understanding of data technologies, applications, data solutions, and tools for optimal use and benefit to suit the needs of the Foundation and moderate enterprise data demand by bridging the gap between business and technology.
The successful candidate will be based in Canada or any of our offices in Africa (Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, or Uganda).


Ways you can contribute
• Setting the strategic direction for the Foundation’s data and analytics functions, aligning with corporate objectives across thematic areas and delivery platforms.
• Identifying and leveraging new technologies, methodologies, and data sources to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge.
• Working across functions to ensure data strategies and analytics insights are effectively integrated across the foundation.
• Establishing and overseeing a robust data governance framework to ensure data quality, privacy, security, and compliance with international regulations.
• Building and leading a high-performing data and analytics team, including recruiting, mentoring, and professional development.
• Engaging with internal and external stakeholders to understand their data needs and co create solutions to address key business issues.
• Facilitating the sharing of knowledge, insights, and best practices within the team and across the organization to elevate the data and analytics capabilities.
• Acting as a strategic advisor to the EXCO, providing insights and recommendations based on data analytics to inform strategic decisions and business planning.
• Collaborating with senior leadership to identify opportunities for growth and supporting risk management through predictive analytics and data-driven forecasts.


Who you are
• Data Analytics, Advanced Analytics, Computer Science (coding), IT systems Minimum 20 years in progressively senior data or business intelligence roles within large and/or global organizations, with at least
• 15 years in such senior financial roles. Strong “build” experience of having planned, built, established, and gained momentum for new functions in an organization.
• Multi-sector, multi-geographic experience preferred.
• Proven ability to engage at executive and Board level.
• Some exposure to philanthropic and development sectors is a plus.
• Ability to work with complex data (quantitative and qualitative) and understand how to transform disparate data to create new features, insights, or visualizations.
• Experience planning and delivering BI and statistical analyses with knowledge of most major platforms and languages, e.g., SQL, Python/R, PowerBI, Excel, and Tableau (or equivalent).
• Ability to translate business needs into technical and process requirements to deliver solutions.
• Service mindset for responsiveness to requests and striving towards becoming trusted business partners to drive common Foundation goals.
• Entrepreneurial mindset to build a new function in an uncertain, dynamic, and ambiguous environment.
• Resilience and flexibility to manage through shifting priorities, parameters, and rapidly changing contexts.
• Comfort with self-direction but balanced with the ability to maintain meaningful visibility and engagement with managers (given geography and time zones).
• Ability to plan and act strategically over longer timeframes to achieve goals with patience and persistence; ability to balance immediate execution needs with longer-term visioning.
• Detail orientation with rigorous attention to developing, implementing, and improving processes and procedures.
• Ability to identify capabilities and competencies required over time and hire the talent required.
• Proven ability to apply a “use case” approach to analytics delivery and be an advocate for the end-user.
• Aptitude for and keen interest in learning new information design and communication technology.
• Strong self-direction balanced with a collaborative and creative approach.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties in response to dynamic needs.
• Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• French language skills are an asset.
• Possessed professional maturity, cultural sensitivity, and impeccable integrity
• Listening actively to understand needs and provide constructive/receive feedback.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.


Mastercard Foundation (the “Foundation”) values and respects your privacy. By submitting an application for this opportunity, you hereby agree to the Foundation’s collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy (available at https://mastercardfdn.org/privacy/). Please note that the Foundation may share your personal information with third-party agencies that support the Foundation’s recruitment activities, and such third-party agencies may contact you directly regarding this opportunity. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Foundation’s Privacy Officer at the address indicated in its Privacy Policy.
The Mastercard Foundation values the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the organization and we are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone.

Completion of satisfactory business references and background checks are essential conditions of employment.
For more information and to sign up for the Foundation’s newsletter, please visit http://www.mastercardfdn.org/