Senior Transitions Consultant (Education & Youth Employment)

About the role

The Mastercard Foundation is seeking a Senior Transitions Consultant to support its Secondary Education and Transitions (SET) platform across Africa. Reporting to the Director, Transitions, you will work with governments, development partners, and education institutions to design and scale solutions that improve secondary education quality and youth pathways to work.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical guidance for education strategies, program design, and implementation within the SET portfolio.
• Shape innovative initiatives that strengthen secondary education systems and enhance transitions into employment or entrepreneurship.
• Advise on partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and government relations to achieve impact at scale.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, governance, and learning frameworks to improve program effectiveness and sustainability.
• Support thought leadership, research, evidence generation, and policy engagement to influence the broader education ecosystem.

Required profile

• Minimum 15 years of experience in education, international development, or related sectors.
• Deep understanding of education systems, policy reform, and youth transitions to work.
• Proven experience collaborating with Ministries of Education, governments, development partners, NGOs, and other key stakeholders.
• Strong track record in strategy development, program design, proposal development, and project leadership.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to influence large‑scale education initiatives across Africa.
• Engagement with senior government officials and leading development partners.
• One‑year fixed‑term contract with potential for future collaboration.