Job Title: Lead, Pandemic Sciences
Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time
Job ID: JR-0000000730
Mastercard Foundation is a global foundation with hubs in Kigali, Rwanda; Nairobi, Kenya; Accra, Ghana; and Toronto, Canada. Its programmes promote financial inclusion, education and learning, with a strong focus on young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada. The Foundation is independent of Mastercard, with its policies, operations and funding decisions overseen by its President and Board of Directors.
About the Role
The Lead, Pandemic Sciences will report to the Director, Higher Education, Health Collaboratives and engage partners and young people to drive the successful implementation of the Foundation’s Health Collaboratives, including the Pandemic Sciences Collaborative and the Public Health and Primary Health Care Collaborative.
The successful candidate will build and steward high-quality partnerships that advance youth-centred health programming across Africa.
Key Responsibilities
- Contribute to the design and implementation of the Higher Education Pandemic Sciences Collaborative.
- Co-create proposals with prospective partners across the respective collaboratives.
- Collaborate with colleagues across Foundation teams to strengthen new and existing partnerships.
- Advise and accompany partners on implementation, progress tracking and learning.
- Support the planning and execution of governance structures within the collaboratives.
- Organise monthly or quarterly partner meetings and deliver face-to-face and virtual convenings.
- Capture data and learning and ensure insights and impact are effectively reported and integrated into programme adaptations.
- Analyse and synthesise partner feedback to inform programme development and continuous improvement.
- Support connections, exchange and learning across the regional portfolio.
- Cultivate and manage stakeholder relationships to scale impact.
- Support partners in safeguarding the wellbeing of programme participants.
- Translate the Foundation’s Health Workforce Initiatives strategy into operational plans and programme delivery across countries.
- Lead day-to-day implementation of Health Workforce portfolios, ensuring programme quality, timelines and measurable outcomes.
- Provide technical expertise on Health Workforce Initiatives models, supervision systems and workforce retention.
- Coordinate implementing partners to strengthen operational efficiency and service integration.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in a Health-related field, Public Policy, International Development, Social Sciences or a related field from a recognised university.
- Master’s degree in a Health-related field is an asset.
- Relevant professional qualification.
Experience Required
- Minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience in a similar setting.
- Experience engaging with higher education institutions, civil society organisations, government, private sector, other stakeholders and young people.
- Experience managing multiple projects and delivering results in a fast-paced and fluid environment.
- Experience designing and delivering health, science and/or leadership development programmes for young people in Africa.
- Experience with global grant-making.
- Experience working across cultures and geographies.
- Living and working in Africa is highly desirable.
Skills and Competencies
- Fluency in English and relevant local languages.
- Knowledge of health education and youth employment issues in Africa.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Experience working with inclusion and marginalised youth.
- Strong interpersonal, partnership-building, communication and presentation skills.
- High emotional intelligence and ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Entrepreneurial mindset and service orientation aligned with Foundation values.
- Results-driven approach with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to balance execution with longer-term planning.
- Commitment to youth empowerment and inclusion, innovation, co-creation, humility and learning.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the Mastercard Foundation careers portal.
Application Closing Date: 11th September, 2026.