The Mastercard Foundation is seeking a visionary and impact-driven professional to join its team as Consultant, Head of Innovation Labs, based in Nairobi. This role offers a rare opportunity to shape innovation that directly contributes to youth employment, inclusive growth, and systems transformation across Africa.
In this role, you will lead innovation initiatives across the entire experimentation cycle—moving ideas from discovery to testing, incubation, and large-scale implementation. You will ensure that innovation efforts are grounded in real-world needs, aligned with the Foundation’s Young Africa Works and EleV strategies, and delivered with discipline and speed.
A core aspect of the position is collaboration. You will design and facilitate co-creation processes with internal teams and external partners, ensuring that solutions are user-centered, practical, and scalable. By standardizing and strengthening the Innovation Labs’ service delivery model, you will help embed innovation practices that are sustainable and replicable across programs.
The role also involves surfacing emerging opportunities, acting as a technical lead in selected innovation domains, and contributing to thought leadership within and beyond the Foundation. As a senior leader, you will build trusted relationships, support cross-Foundation initiatives, and help nurture talent aligned with the Foundation’s mission and values.
This position is well-suited for professionals with deep experience in impact-driven innovation, international development, and multi-stakeholder program leadership within African contexts.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
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Advanced degree or equivalent experience in innovation-related disciplines
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Extensive experience leading impact-focused innovation initiatives at scale
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Strong background in international development or market-based solutions in Africa
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Proven ability to manage complex projects, budgets, and partnerships
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Experience with participatory, youth-led, or community-centered design approaches
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Fluency in English; French is an added advantage
How to Apply:
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online via:
🌐 mastercardfoundation.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com
