Mastercard Foundation Director, Powerful Entrepreneurship Development Job in Nigeria – Apply Now
The Mastercard Foundation is seeking an experienced and visionary professional to join its Nigeria team as Director, Entrepreneurship Development. Based in Lagos, this full-time leadership position offers a unique opportunity to shape entrepreneurship ecosystems and drive large-scale youth employment outcomes across Nigeria.
Reporting to the Country Director, the successful candidate will lead the Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Development strategy, overseeing investments, partnerships, and programs that enable young women and men to access dignified and fulfilling work through entrepreneurship.
This role is ideal for senior professionals with extensive experience in entrepreneurship development, private sector growth, financial inclusion, and ecosystem building.
About Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation is one of the world’s largest philanthropic organizations dedicated to advancing education, financial inclusion, and youth employment opportunities. Through its Young Africa Works strategy, the Foundation aims to enable 30 million young Africans, particularly young women, to secure meaningful and fulfilling work by 2030.
The Foundation works closely with governments, private sector organizations, financial institutions, educational institutions, and development partners to create sustainable economic opportunities across Africa.
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Position Overview
- Position: Director, Entrepreneurship Development
- Organization: Mastercard Foundation
- Location: Lagos, Nigeria
- Job Type: Full-Time
- Category: Senior Leadership
- Application Status: Open
- Sector: Entrepreneurship Development, Youth Employment, Economic Development
Key Responsibilities
The Director will provide strategic leadership for Nigeria’s entrepreneurship portfolio and oversee the development and implementation of high-impact programs.
Strategy and Portfolio Leadership
The successful candidate will:
- Develop and lead Nigeria’s Entrepreneurship Development strategy.
- Design multi-year investment roadmaps and implementation plans.
- Oversee portfolio performance and impact measurement.
- Scale successful entrepreneurship models nationwide.
- Apply market systems approaches to address entrepreneurial barriers.
- Use evidence and learning to improve program outcomes.
Partnership and Ecosystem Development
The role will involve:
- Building strong relationships with government institutions.
- Engaging private sector organizations and financial institutions.
- Supporting entrepreneurship support organizations and intermediaries.
- Coordinating ecosystem stakeholders to maximize impact.
- Representing the Foundation at national and international forums.
Access to Finance and Digital Innovation
The Director will guide initiatives that:
- Expand market opportunities for entrepreneurs.
- Improve access to financial services and funding.
- Promote financial inclusion for young entrepreneurs.
- Integrate digital solutions into entrepreneurship programs.
- Strengthen value chains and enterprise growth opportunities.
Financial and Risk Management
Responsibilities include:
- Managing portfolio budgets and financial oversight.
- Monitoring program performance and value for money.
- Identifying and mitigating operational risks.
- Ensuring compliance with Foundation policies and governance standards.
Team Leadership
The Director will:
- Lead a high-performing entrepreneurship team.
- Build organizational capacity and leadership capability.
- Promote a culture of learning, collaboration, and accountability.
- Support talent development and succession planning.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should possess:
- An advanced degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Development Studies, or a related field.
- At least 15 years of professional experience leading entrepreneurship, private sector development, or economic growth initiatives.
- A minimum of 8 years in senior leadership positions.
- Experience managing complex multi-year and multi-partner portfolios.
- Strong knowledge of Nigeria’s entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem.
- Expertise in areas such as access to finance, digital solutions, financial inclusion, market systems, or capacity development.
- Proven stakeholder management and partnership-building skills.
- Experience leading multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
Why Join Mastercard Foundation?
This position provides the opportunity to:
- Influence entrepreneurship development at a national level.
- Shape policies and programs that create jobs for millions of young Nigerians.
- Work with one of Africa’s leading philanthropic organizations.
- Collaborate with government, private sector, and development partners.
- Lead transformational initiatives that contribute to economic growth and financial inclusion.
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How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application through the Mastercard Foundation careers portal.
Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as recruitment is ongoing.
Final Thoughts
The Mastercard Foundation Director, Entrepreneurship Development role is an outstanding opportunity for experienced leaders passionate about entrepreneurship, youth employment, and economic transformation. Successful candidates will play a critical role in designing and scaling innovative solutions that help young Nigerians build sustainable businesses and secure meaningful livelihoods.
If you have the leadership experience, strategic vision, and commitment to inclusive economic growth, this could be the perfect opportunity to make a lasting impact.
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