THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Country Director-Senegal, the Head, Gender and Inclusion will provide strategic leadership for gender equality, disability inclusion, refugee and displaced-person inclusion, youth engagement, and safeguarding across the Senegal portfolio and the broader WAEMU Countries.

The Senegal portfolio operates through a multi-country approach, with programs designed and implemented to deliver shared strategic outcomes across multiple countries of the WAEMU zone. The role will ensure that the Foundation's inclusion ambitions are translated into program design, partner practices, portfolio performance, and measurable outcomes for young people.

The successful candidate will work across the portfolio to strengthen inclusive program delivery, promote gender-transformative approaches, improve outcomes for priority populations, and support the adaptation and replication of effective inclusion practices across countries.

This role requires a strategic and collaborative leader who can influence across teams, partners, and geographies while balancing common standards with country-specific realities.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

 Provide Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of the Senegal/WAEMU Gender and Inclusion Strategy.
• Provide strategic advice to the Country Director and Leadership Team on gender equality and inclusion priorities, risks, opportunities, and portfolio performance.
• Champion inclusion as a core driver of program quality, impact, and systems change across the portfolio.
• Promote consistent inclusion standards while supporting context-specific implementation across countries.

Strengthen Inclusive Program Design and Delivery

• Ensure gender equality, disability inclusion, youth engagement, refugee and displaced-person inclusion, and safeguarding considerations are integrated throughout the program lifecycle.
• Support program teams and partners to identify and address barriers affecting participation, retention, transition to work, and dignified and fulfilling work outcomes.
• Guide program design, redesign, and scale-up efforts to strengthen inclusion outcomes and impact.
• Promote evidence-based approaches that improve outcomes for young women and other priority populations.

Advance Gender Equality and Women's Economic Empowerment

• Lead efforts to strengthen young women's access to dignified and fulfilling work.
• Support partners in addressing structural barriers that limit participation and economic opportunity for young women.
• Promote gender-transformative programming and approaches that strengthen agency, leadership, voice, and economic inclusion.
• Ensure gender considerations are reflected in program strategies, implementation models, and performance frameworks.

Advance Disability Inclusion, Youth Engagement and Inclusion Outcomes

• Strengthen the inclusion of persons with disabilities across programs and partnerships.
• Promote accessible and inclusive program delivery approaches.
• Support meaningful youth engagement by ensuring young people contribute to program design, implementation, and learning.
• Strengthen partnerships with youth-led organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities, and other representative institutions.
• Promote effective approaches to refugee and displaced-person inclusion where relevant.

Drive Portfolio Learning and Performance

• Establish mechanisms to monitor and improve inclusion performance across the portfolio.
• Strengthen the use of data, evidence, and learning to inform program adaptation and decision-making.
• Support program teams and partners to improve inclusion-related results and accountability.
• Capture and share lessons, innovations, and promising practices across countries and programs.
• Facilitate cross-country learning and adaptation of successful inclusion approaches.

Build Strong Partnerships and Influence Systems

• Build and maintain relationships with government, civil society, private-sector, youth-led, disability-led, and other strategic partners.
• Represent the Foundation in relevant external forums and networks.
• Promote policies, systems, and partnerships that advance gender equality and inclusion outcomes for young people.
• Position the Foundation as a thought leader in inclusive youth employment and economic participation.

Lead and Develop a High-Performing Team

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Gender and Inclusion team.
• Foster a culture of learning, collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Ensure team priorities are aligned with portfolio objectives and emerging opportunities.
• Support the professional development and growth of team members.

WHO YOU ARE

• Master's degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, International Development, Public Policy, Human Rights, Economics, Disability Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible experience in gender equality, social inclusion, youth development, economic empowerment, or international development.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex programs or portfolios across multiple countries.
• Strong track record of integrating gender equality and inclusion outcomes into program design, implementation, and performance management.
• Experience working in one or more of the following areas: disability inclusion, youth engagement, safeguarding, refugee and displaced-person inclusion, or inclusive economic development.
• Deep understanding of gender-transformative programming and inclusive development approaches.
• Experience building the capacity of teams, partners, and stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work across multiple country teams and partner ecosystems without direct operational authority.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to translate evidence into action and decision-making.
• Excellent verbal, written, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Professional fluency in English and French is required.
• Demonstrates professional maturity, cultural sensitivity, humility, integrity, and alignment with Mastercard Foundation's values.

The Mastercard Foundation values the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the organization and we are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone.

Completion of satisfactory business references and background checks are essential conditions of employment.

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