Mastercard Foundation Hiring: Head, Entrepreneurship – Nairobi

Job Description

The Mastercard Foundation is seeking an experienced and visionary Head of Entrepreneurship to lead the design and implementation of its Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development portfolio in Kenya.

At the Mastercard Foundation, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and prosper. Through investments in education, financial inclusion, and skills development, the Foundation works to create pathways to sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities for young people across Africa.

Position Details

• Position: Head, Entrepreneurship
• Location: Nairobi, Kenya
• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Experience: 15+ Years
• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree (Business Administration, Economics, Entrepreneurship, or related field)

Key Responsibilities

As Head of Entrepreneurship, you will:

• Lead the development and execution of the Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development portfolio, ensuring alignment with Kenya’s national priorities and the Foundation’s strategic vision.
• Design and integrate an inclusive Access to Finance strategy that promotes financial inclusion and supports the growth of youth- and women-led MSMEs.
• Define short- and long-term strategic objectives for the portfolio, guiding program design, partnerships, and investments.
• Oversee the implementation, performance, and continuous improvement of entrepreneurship programs and partnerships.
• Provide technical leadership and support on enterprise development and access-to-finance initiatives across other strategic pillars.
• Drive market-oriented interventions in areas such as digital enablement, business development services (BDS), access to finance, agriculture, and the green economy.
• Champion the use of technology as a key enabler of entrepreneurship and enterprise growth.
• Identify program risks and implement mitigation measures to ensure sustainable impact.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with government institutions, private sector players, development organizations, and entrepreneurship ecosystem stakeholders.
• Promote learning and knowledge sharing through research, documentation, communities of practice, and stakeholder engagements.
• Foster a culture of innovation, agility, collaboration, and results-driven performance.
• Mentor, coach, and develop team members while ensuring alignment with Foundation values and goals.
• Lead the Entrepreneurship team and contribute to broader organizational leadership and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Entrepreneurship, or a related field.
• At least 15 years of experience in Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Development, Business Development, or a related field, including 7 years in a leadership role managing teams.
• Strong networks and established relationships within Kenya’s entrepreneurship and enterprise development ecosystem.
• Deep understanding of Kenya’s employment, job creation, innovation, and private sector development landscape.
• Proven success in supporting, mentoring, and scaling entrepreneurial ventures.
• Experience launching and managing enterprise or business development initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and influence senior government officials, business leaders, development partners, media, and other key stakeholders.
• Experience in entrepreneurship and/or intrapreneurship initiatives.
• Strong understanding of Kenya’s economic, political, and policy environment, as well as public and private sector priorities.
• Knowledge of systems thinking and the ability to design interventions that address root causes and systemic barriers.
• Expertise in emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in entrepreneurship and enterprise development.
• Excellent strategic thinking, leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Ability to thrive in complex, fast-changing, and ambiguous environments.
• A creative mindset with a passion for developing innovative solutions that drive impact.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates can submit their applications through the Mastercard Foundation careers portal:

Mastercard Foundation Careers Portal

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.