Lead, Program Evidence

Mastercard Foundation • Toronto, ON

2d • CA$126,000 - CA$156,000

About The Position

Reporting to the Head, Program Evidence, the role will lead evidence generation and use, to support Foundation’s program teams with the research and evidence needed to further Young Africa Works, EleV and other Foundation’s program objectives. The job holder will contribute to the delivery of the Program Evidence Strategy as it applies to the needs of specific program platforms. They will operationalize the delivery of strategic and demand-responsive evidence services, commission diagnostic and landscaping studies and commissioning and managing other research to enable programming.

Requirements

• A Master’s or PhD in global development, the social sciences, health, eco nomics, education, public policy or another related field
• 7 to 10 years leadership experience in education, health, the social sciences and humanities, development and/or public policy within non-profit organizations, international NGO’s and/or learning institutions.
• Expertise in researching development, political, economic, cultural and social issues across Africa. Understanding of research methodologies and approaches, especially in the area of economic transformation/growth and development policy.
• Proven experience in effectively engaging with technical experts and institutions to build communities of practice.
• Experience working with and managing research or knowledge development teams with ability to plan for and prioritize multiple enterprise-wide initiatives with varying timelines.
• Ability to work effectively across teams and functions to achieve organizational objectives.
• Strong research skills with the ability to translate findings to technical and non-technical teams.
• Experience in using research and data to design and refine programs grounded in credible, ethical, practical evidence.
• Demonstrated expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research or evaluation methods and tools, and ability to assess methodological rigor, blending methods, making sense of data and applying insight.
• Understands systems thinking and how to work towards systemic change, using multiple practices and insights including the value of foresight and trends scanning.
• Ability to apply ethical principles consistently throughout the research lifecycle (planning, data collection, analysis, publication).
• Comfortable with using techniques including but not limited to context mapping, root/deep cause analysis, and analyses through an intersectional lens.
• Experienced in providing guidance in the development and co-creation of research questions with programming colleagues
• Excellent facilitation skills
• Familiarity with and experience in working across Africa
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Curious and enthusiastic about pursuing new avenues of research. Open to the ideas of others and shares knowledge and insight from a place of humility.
• Ability to communicate effectively with and relate to a broad range of internal stakeholders including Foundation leadership.
• Builds and maintains strong, collaborative relationships across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Client service mindset, and commitment to the value of co-creation, employing deep listening and authentically inclusive approach.
• Energetic, independent and self-motivated individual with a solution-based approach while demonstrating innovation, integrity, quality, creativity, flexibility and resilience.
• Innovative and entrepreneurial individual.
• Fluency in languages relevant to the work; French would be desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of research systems/processes/protocols for Program Evidence to ensure high-quality research design, implementation, and analysis.
• Work with the team to contribute to building a culture that encourages evidence-informed decision making.
• Collaborate with programs teams to identify and address research and evidence needs to enhance effectiveness of programs and partnerships and alignment to the Young Africa Works and EleV strategies.
• Contribute to collating, commissioning and synthesizing evidence on programmatic knowledge building including the understanding of country and regional contexts to support program co-design, implementation and review processes.
• Collaborate with Program teams to co-develop research partnerships aligned with programming needs and evidence development strategy.
• Work with the team to develop and ensure quality control of internal & externally commissioned programs research outputs and content generated.
• Lead the engagement with local stakeholders and program teams to determine long-term priority research needs.
• Write and publish learnings on the Foundations programs to influence best practice internally and externally.
• Disseminate relevant learnings and insights to internal and external audiences.
• Operationalize the delivery of Program Evidence Workplans, in alignment with the overall Functional Workplans and Goals.
• Work with the team to develop strong global and in-region relationships with external research and evidence partners.
• Work with the team to build and strengthen the capacity of others to deliver high-quality evidence, research, analysis, publications and documentation.
• Under the guidance of Program Evidence Heads, act as provide subject matter experts for Foundation Program Evidence work.

Benefits

• The annual salary for this position is within the range of $126 000 to $156 000 (CAD) commensurate with experience, skills, and internal equity considerations.
• Accommodation due to a disability or any other protected ground under applicable legislation during any stage of the recruitment process.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior