Consultant – Head of Impact Labs-Jobs in Uganda

Deadline: 4th July 2025

Position:

Deadline: 4th July 2025

Position: Consultant – Head of Impact Labs

Employment Type: Full-Time
Location: Kampala, Uganda (or Foundation offices in Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria)
Industry: Consultancy / International Development / Innovation

Join Mastercard Foundation in Driving Impact-Driven Innovation

Mastercard Foundation is seeking a strategic, dynamic, and visionary Consultant – Head of Impact Labs to lead high-priority innovation initiatives across Africa. This role is ideal for a seasoned innovation leader passionate about delivering practical, scalable solutions that create meaningful livelihoods for youth and communities.

You will lead project execution across the entire Impact Labs innovation cycle—from opportunity discovery to full-scale adoption—ensuring alignment, quality, and speed across all engagements.

Position Reports To: Director, Innovation & Impact Labs

️ Key Responsibilities

✅ Project Leadership

• Drive disciplined project implementation across the innovation lifecycle.

• Lead teams from discovery to design, testing, rollout, and scale-up.

Co-Creation & Adoption

• Collaborate with Foundation teams and partners to ensure solutions are user-centered, relevant, and scalable.

Innovation Development

• Oversee the incubation and expansion of solutions aligned with the Foundation’s Young Africa Works and EleV strategies.

⚙️ Operational Excellence

• Shape and refine service delivery models and implementation structures for consistency and sustainability.

Thematic & Strategic Leadership

• Act as a technical lead in selected innovation domains, applying participatory and user-centered approaches.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build trusted relationships with internal teams and partners, cultivating a strong innovation community of practice.

Representation & Thought Leadership

• Represent Impact Labs in forums and contribute to positioning the Foundation as a leader in impact innovation.

Talent Development

• Support and manage team members, aligning their growth with the Foundation’s mission and values.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Engage in initiatives across departments to support broader Foundation objectives and operational enhancements.

Who You Are

• Advanced degree in Innovation, International Development, Social Sciences, Economics, or related fields.

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in innovation leadership, especially within African or global development contexts.

• Proven success in leading multi-stakeholder, impact-focused projects and managing teams.

• Expertise in user-centered design, participatory research, and innovation management.

• Deep understanding of science, technology, and innovation trends across Africa.

• Solid knowledge of impact measurement and learning frameworks.

• Skilled in project management, facilitation, and cross-cultural leadership.

• Strong financial management and budgeting experience.

• Fluent in English; French is a plus.

• Values-driven, collaborative, and adaptable to evolving priorities.

• Demonstrates humility, creativity, and strategic execution.

• Committed to inclusive innovation and empowering communities.

About Innovation & Impact Labs

Impact Labs is the flagship innovation arm of the Mastercard Foundation’s Impact, Research & Learning function. It operates as a full-spectrum innovation agency, delivering strategic advisory, design, and incubation services to accelerate impact through innovation.

By 2030, Mastercard Foundation aims to enable:

• 30 million young women and men in Africa to access dignified and fulfilling work.

• 100,000 Indigenous youth in Canada to thrive through meaningful livelihoods.

Impact Labs bridges the gap between innovation and scalable system-level change.

Why Join Mastercard Foundation?

• Purpose-driven work focused on impact and equity.

• A collaborative, inclusive culture that values growth and feedback.

• Opportunities to shape and scale innovation that transforms lives.

How to Apply

Apply online via the link below:
CLICK HERE TO APPLY

️ About Mastercard Foundation

Mastercard Foundation is a global nonprofit organization that works to advance education and financial inclusion. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with offices in Africa, the Foundation is committed to empowering people—especially youth—to realize their potential and contribute to transformative development.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Employment is subject to reference and background checks. Mastercard Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

Employment Type: Full-Time
Location: Kampala, Uganda (or Foundation offices in Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria)
Industry: Consultancy / International Development / Innovation

Join Mastercard Foundation in Driving Impact-Driven Innovation

Mastercard Foundation is seeking a strategic, dynamic, and visionary Consultant – Head of Impact Labs to lead high-priority innovation initiatives across Africa. This role is ideal for a seasoned innovation leader passionate about delivering practical, scalable solutions that create meaningful livelihoods for youth and communities.

You will lead project execution across the entire Impact Labs innovation cycle—from opportunity discovery to full-scale adoption—ensuring alignment, quality, and speed across all engagements.

Position Reports To: Director, Innovation & Impact Labs

️ Key Responsibilities

✅ Project Leadership

• Drive disciplined project implementation across the innovation lifecycle.

• Lead teams from discovery to design, testing, rollout, and scale-up.

Co-Creation & Adoption

• Collaborate with Foundation teams and partners to ensure solutions are user-centered, relevant, and scalable.

Innovation Development

• Oversee the incubation and expansion of solutions aligned with the Foundation’s Young Africa Works and EleV strategies.

⚙️ Operational Excellence

• Shape and refine service delivery models and implementation structures for consistency and sustainability.

Thematic & Strategic Leadership

• Act as a technical lead in selected innovation domains, applying participatory and user-centered approaches.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build trusted relationships with internal teams and partners, cultivating a strong innovation community of practice.

Representation & Thought Leadership

• Represent Impact Labs in forums and contribute to positioning the Foundation as a leader in impact innovation.

Talent Development

• Support and manage team members, aligning their growth with the Foundation’s mission and values.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Engage in initiatives across departments to support broader Foundation objectives and operational enhancements.

Who You Are

• Advanced degree in Innovation, International Development, Social Sciences, Economics, or related fields.

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in innovation leadership, especially within African or global development contexts.

• Proven success in leading multi-stakeholder, impact-focused projects and managing teams.

• Expertise in user-centered design, participatory research, and innovation management.

• Deep understanding of science, technology, and innovation trends across Africa.

• Solid knowledge of impact measurement and learning frameworks.

• Skilled in project management, facilitation, and cross-cultural leadership.

• Strong financial management and budgeting experience.

• Fluent in English; French is a plus.

• Values-driven, collaborative, and adaptable to evolving priorities.

• Demonstrates humility, creativity, and strategic execution.

• Committed to inclusive innovation and empowering communities.

About Innovation & Impact Labs

Impact Labs is the flagship innovation arm of the Mastercard Foundation’s Impact, Research & Learning function. It operates as a full-spectrum innovation agency, delivering strategic advisory, design, and incubation services to accelerate impact through innovation.

By 2030, Mastercard Foundation aims to enable:

• 30 million young women and men in Africa to access dignified and fulfilling work.

• 100,000 Indigenous youth in Canada to thrive through meaningful livelihoods.

Impact Labs bridges the gap between innovation and scalable system-level change.

Why Join Mastercard Foundation?

• Purpose-driven work focused on impact and equity.

• A collaborative, inclusive culture that values growth and feedback.

• Opportunities to shape and scale innovation that transforms lives.

How to Apply

Apply online via the link below:
CLICK HERE TO APPLY

️ About Mastercard Foundation

Mastercard Foundation is a global nonprofit organization that works to advance education and financial inclusion. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with offices in Africa, the Foundation is committed to empowering people—especially youth—to realize their potential and contribute to transformative development.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Employment is subject to reference and background checks. Mastercard Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.