Consultant, Digital Economy

In brief

**Overview** This role is for a Consultant in Digital Economy at Mastercard. The Consultant will report to the Director, Digital Economy, Pan-African Program. The position involves providing senior-level strategic, technical, and advisory support to strengthen the design, quality assurance, and implementation oversight of the Pan-African PANA Digital Economy portfolio. The Consultant will advance the Digital Economy enabling function across key Foundation thematic areas such as agrifood systems, entrepreneurship, and climate resilience, while also shaping enterprise-level thinking on Artificial Intelligence and its implications for youth employment, program design, and systems change. The role requires translating emerging opportunities into practical programs, partnerships, and delivery models, specifically supporting the design and implementation of flagship Digital Economy initiatives focused on using technology and AI to create dignified work opportunities for young Africans. The contract duration is six months. **What you will do** * Serve as a senior thought partner to the Director, Digital Economy on portfolio strategy, program quality, investment opportunities, and emerging risks across AI, platform economies, global business services, entrepreneurship and digital innovation in Africa. * Lead the implementation-ready design of a flagship Pan-African AI initiative, including its program thesis, target populations, priority sectors and country pathways, partnership model, theory of change, budget, MEL framework, learning agenda and implementation roadmap. * Provide technical and programmatic quality assurance for Digital Economy investments and partner proposals, including partner selection, program investment cases, approval materials and implementation oversight. * Support country and thematic teams to responsibly integrate AI-enabled and digital economy approaches into program design and delivery where they can improve youth employment, productivity, income or livelihood outcomes. * Strengthen the Foundation’s Digital Economy enabling function across agrifood systems, entrepreneurship, climate and other priority platforms by translating digital and AI trends into practical employment, livelihood and enterprise-development opportunities. * Produce evidence reviews and landscape analyses on AI, the digital economy and youth livelihoods in Africa to inform the flagship AI initiative, portfolio design and investment decisions. * Facilitate collaboration among public sector, private sector, academia and ecosystem actors, connecting technology opportunities to youth livelihood outcomes grounded in African labour markets and economic sectors. * Document evidence, learning and reusable program-design approaches across the PANA portfolio. * Prepare a monthly report summarizing key insights, risks, recommendations and priorities. **Requirements (from the original advert)** * A PhD, or an equivalent record of peer-reviewed research in computer science, engineering, data science, information systems, technology, agritech, economics, including development or agricultural economics, or a related field is preferred. Exceptional candidates with a master’s degree and a substantial body of published research focused on Africa or comparable emerging economies will also be considered. * Relevant educational credentials combined with strong design, technical and program-delivery experience are a strong advantage. * Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience, which may include doctoral or post-doctoral research, across the private, public, academic or non-profit sectors, including substantial experience in digital technology, skills development, enterprise productivity, livelihoods or work enablement in Africa. * Experience working in or with African research and innovation institutions, such as national science councils, research foundations, universities or international research centres, particularly in translating research into programs, solutions, policy or investment decisions, is a strong advantage. * A hands-on practitioner with a demonstrable track record of personally designing, informing or supporting the implementation of large-scale programs, partnerships, digital products or platforms that achieved measurable livelihood, productivity, income or employment outcomes. * Practical understanding of responsible AI, data governance, digital inclusion and the ethical deployment of technology in African contexts. * Practical experience working at the intersection of technology and economic development, with experience taking ideas from concept through design, partner engagement, implementation planning and launch. * Research and/or delivery experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, applying digital technologies, data or AI within sectors such as agriculture, informal enterprise, manufacturing, financial inclusion or digital work. * Strong understanding of African labour markets and youth employment challenges and opportunities. * Experience working with technology companies, startups, digital platforms, innovation ecosystems or AI-enabled solutions. * Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality analytical, technical and program-design outputs independently. * High degree of professionalism and integrity, aligned with the Foundation’s values and commitment to quality. **Who should apply** The ideal candidate is a research-led, hands-on practitioner who excels at combining rigorous evidence and analysis with program design expertise, and has the ability to translate concepts into implementation. This individual should possess a demonstrable track record in designing, informing, or supporting large-scale programs, partnerships, or digital products that achieved measurable livelihood, productivity, income, or employment outcomes. They should have a practical understanding of responsible AI, data governance, digital inclusion, and the ethical deployment of technology in African contexts, along with practical experience at the intersection of technology and economic development, from concept to launch. The candidate should also have research and/or delivery experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, applying digital technologies, data, or AI within sectors such as agriculture, informal enterprise, manufacturing, financial inclusion, or digital work, coupled with a strong understanding of African labour markets and youth employment challenges and opportunities. Experience working with technology companies, startups, digital platforms, innovation ecosystems, or AI-enabled solutions is essential, as is the demonstrated ability to produce high-quality analytical, technical, and program-design outputs independently. A high degree of professionalism and integrity is also expected. **Deadline** Not specified **Reference** Original posting: https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/consultant-digital-economy-mastercard Source: myjobmag

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At a glance

• At least 12 years of experience.

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