We are currently in an exciting period at the Mastercard Foundation as we intensify the implementation of the Young Africa Works strategy, aiming to empower 30 million young people throughout Africa to access dignified and fulfilling employment.

To ensure the Foundation’s accessibility to our partners and program participants, we have established offices in Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Uganda. These offices provide strong in-country support for the implementation of Young Africa Works. We collaborate with governments, the private sector, educators, and other funders to enhance the quality of education and vocational training, equip young individuals with the necessary skills for the workforce, expand access to financial services for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and facilitate connections between job seekers and meaningful employment opportunities.

Our values serve as our guiding principles, transcending and surpassing all other considerations. We wholeheartedly encourage you to bring your bold ideas, curiosity, and expertise to your work.

If you are an experienced Disability Inclusion Assistive Technology professional ready to build something new and increase your impact, read on! 

THE OPPORTUNITY 

Reporting to the Lead, Disability Inclusion (DI), the Consultant, Disability Inclusion, Assistive Technology and Devices will lead the implementation of the Assistive Technology (AT) component of the Foundation’s Disability Inclusion Strategy. This role focuses on supporting entrepreneurs in the AT sector, developing employment opportunities across the AT value chain, and convening key stakeholders to drive the development and adoption of AT solutions in Africa. The Consultant will leverage insights from an initial baseline scoping study to guide strategic and programmatic activities, promote AT within education and employment, support entrepreneurs developing AT solutions, and create an enabling ecosystem for AT innovation and adoption in Africa.

The successful candidate will be based in any of our offices in Africa (Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, or Uganda)

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE 

• Oversee the design, development, and implementation of Pan-African AT programs.
• Support the development of workforce and value chains across the AT sector to create employment opportunities for young people with disabilities in Africa.
• Develop programs to identify and support young entrepreneurs, enabling wide access to assistive technology products needed by youth with disabilities in Africa.
• Foster and manage partnerships with organizations active in the AT sector to drive innovation and scale up successful initiatives.
• Convene and engage key stakeholders, such as technology companies, African tech accelerators, and global consortiums, to catalyze international efforts in the AT space.
• Analyze data and findings from the AT Baseline Scoping Study to inform program design and policy recommendations.
• Develop comprehensive reports and presentations to communicate insights and progress to the Foundation and its partners.
• Develop resources and tools to support the implementation and scaling of AT solutions.
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practices within the AT community in Africa.
• Influence the inclusion of AT in policies and programs at the regional and national levels, elevating the voice of African youth with disabilities in these policy environments.

WHO YOU ARE 

• Minimum 7+ years of relevant experience in assistive technology, disability inclusion, inclusive employment, or related areas.
• Proven track record of implementing assistive technology projects and initiatives in Africa.
• Strong understanding of the policy and regulatory landscape for assistive technology in Africa.
• Familiarity with the literature and best practices surrounding assistive technology in Africa.
• Expertise in program management, including design, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Experience working in a grant management system.
• Strong coordination, organization, and multi-tasking skills.
• Excellent synthesis, analytical, and report writing skills; ability to synthesize large amounts of qualitative data and present clear high-level findings for decision-makers.
• Fluency in English is required. The ability to speak French or local languages is an added advantage.
• Ability to travel for in-person engagement with the Disability Inclusion team and Disability Inclusion program partners.
• Commitment to Mastercard Foundation values.