Consultant, Head, Innovation Labs

About Mastercard Foundation

The Mastercard Foundation is one of the largest foundations in the world, with the mission to advance education and financial inclusion to enable young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. Established in 2006, the Foundation became independent upon Mastercard’s public listing. Headquartered in Toronto, with offices in Africa and Canada, it works with visionary organizations to spur economic opportunities and create equitable and inclusive societies.

The foundation’s ambitious strategies, such as Young Africa Works and EleV, aim to drive impactful change through collaboration with government entities, communities, and stakeholders, focusing on education, skills development, and employment transformation.

Reporting to the Director, Innovation Labs, the Consultant, Head, Innovation Labs joins the team at a pivotal moment. This role plays a hands‑on part in strengthening project execution and helping the Innovation Labs team deliver high‑priority work. Ensuring alignment, consistency, quality, and speed, the role involves leading and managing project implementation across the Innovation Labs cycle—from early‑stage intake, discovery, and incubation to full adoption and scaling.

The Consultant will ensure operational discipline and delivery excellence, making solutions practical, well‑integrated, and usable across Foundation and Partner teams. You will also help shape the Labs’ evolving service delivery model and build structures for consistent, scalable implementation. Additionally, the role will contribute flexibly to strategic initiatives, people management, and operational strengthening as needed.

• Manage projects across the Innovation Labs experimentation cycle.
• Design and lead collaborative processes with Foundation teams and partners.
• Oversee the incubation, rollout, and scaling of solutions.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the Labs’ service delivery model.
• Drive discovery work to identify innovation opportunities.
• Act as thematic lead on selected innovation domains and products.
• Build and sustain trusted relationships across the Foundation and partner networks.
• Contribute to thought leadership in internal and external forums.
• Manage direct reports as required.
• Contribute to cross‑functional initiatives across the Impact, Research & Learning function.

• Advanced degree or equivalent experience in innovation‑related disciplines.
• Extensive experience in international development and/or market‑based initiatives.
• Proven track record in leading complex, innovative projects.
• Experience with youth‑led, community‑based, or participatory approaches.
• Strong understanding of innovation, technology, and science trends in Africa.
• Skilled in group facilitation and participant‑centered design methods.
• Competence in budget development and financial management.
• Fluency in English required;
  French desirable.
• Professional maturity and cultural sensitivity.

• Work with one of the largest foundations globally.
• Contribute to significant impact initiatives in Africa and Canada.
• Opportunities for career growth and development.
• Collaborative work environment focused on innovation and change.