11 Months - Non-extendable: Internship

THE OPPORTUNITY

Are you eager to kickstart your career? The Mastercard Foundation is offering an opportunity for ambitious, career-driven, and diligent young professionals with limited or no work experience to develop their skills as they transition into the professional world. The internship will provide meaningful learning and work experience while supporting the Foundation’s programs, operations, and partnerships. This internship contributes to the Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy by equipping interns with professional exposure, mentorship, and skills to transition successfully into future employment or entrepreneurship opportunities.

Join a team of driven and passionate individuals guided by a deep belief in our purpose and values. If you have bold ideas, share our passion, are driven by values, and are ready to contribute to building something new while serving, read on!

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

As an Intern, you will:

• Be assigned to an 11-month fixed-term non-renewable program to support projects and initiatives across various Teams at the Mastercard Foundation.
• Engage in Foundation initiatives, including our signature onboarding and orientation program.
• Have access to the Foundation's career development program and e-learning platforms during your work term.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible, you must:

• Be eligible to work in one of the seven African countries where the Mastercard Foundation operates: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and Uganda.
• Be actively involved in community projects and/or extracurricular activities serving your local communities.
• Commit to a full-time opportunity; interns cannot engage in any other form of work during the internship.
• If you are a Mastercard Foundation Scholar Alumni, you should not currently be enrolled in a program of study or participating in one of the Foundation's program initiatives.

HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

You can contribute by:

• Supporting the design, implementation, and monitoring of programs aligned with youth employment, education, and entrepreneurship goals.
• Conducting research and data analysis to inform program design and decision-making.
• Assisting with reporting, knowledge management, and documentation of lessons learned.
• Participating in stakeholder engagement activities, workshops, and learning sessions.
• Providing administrative and logistical support for events, trainings, or partner convenings.
• Collaborating across teams to ensure smooth program delivery and internal operations.
• Contributing innovative ideas to enhance youth-centered programming and engagement.
• Performing other duties as assigned to support the Foundation’s strategic objectives.

WHO YOU ARE

Qualifications:

• Recent graduate with 0 – 4 years of experience.
  • Bachelor’s degree in any field from a recognized institution.
  • Demonstrated interest in youth development, social impact, and inclusive growth in Africa.
  • Strong academic performance and proven ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practice.

Skills & Competencies:

• • Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Proficiency with MS Office Suite and/or Google Workspace.
  • Ability to work effectively in multicultural, collaborative environments.
  • Passion for innovation, learning, and making a difference in Africa.
  • Self-motivated with strong organizational and time management abilities.

Personal Attributes:

• • Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Proficiency with MS Office Suite and/or Google Workspace.
  • Ability to work effectively in multicultural, collaborative environments.
  • Passion for innovation, learning, and making a difference in Africa.
  • Self-motivated with strong organizational and time management abilities.

Learning & Development Opportunities

• Gain exposure to international development practices through the lens of youth employment and economic transformation.
• Receive mentorship and coaching from experienced professionals within the Foundation.
• Participate in professional development workshops, seminars, and networking sessions.
• Acquire hands-on experience working with leading African institutions, private sector partners, and government stakeholders.
• Enhance readiness for future career opportunities aligned with the Young Africa Works strategy.

Opportunities Available Are in These Functions

You will have the opportunity to work with teams within the Foundation in the highlighted functions below:

• Finance
• Programs
• People & Culture
• Office of the CEO
• Legal & Compliance
• Impact, Research and Learning
• Public Affairs and Communications
• Digital Data Information and Technology (Technology)

We Value Diversity

We welcome talent from a range of educational backgrounds, including but not limited to:

• Development Studies, Development Economics, Social Sciences, Sociology, Agriculture Economics, Entrepreneurship, etc.

Impact, Research and Learning

• Degree in Population Studies, Quantitative Economics, Statistics, Business Statistics, Actuarial Science, etc.

Digital Data Information and Technology (Technology)

• Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Analysis, Enterprise Application Systems, etc.

Legal and Compliance

• Degree in Law, International Relations, Criminal Justice, etc.

Program Finance

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, etc.

Public Affairs and Communications

• Degree in Public Affairs, Mass Communications, Commerce, Journalism, Social Media Management, etc.

Application Deadline: 07 September 2025 | 00:59 hrs (EAT)

Expected Start Date: 15 January 2026

Location: MasterCard Foundation Africa Offices: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal.

Term: 11 Months (Non-Extendable)

The Mastercard Foundation values the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the organization and is 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.

For more information and to sign up for the Foundation’s newsletter, please visit MasterCard Foundation. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at @MastercardFdn.

Skills Required:

• Any / Field
• Accounting / Finance
• Agricultural / Studies
• Communication / Pr / Journalism
• Computer / Software / It / Data
• Economics / Statistics
• Legal / Law
• Political / Science / Ir