Partnership and Placement Lead

About the Program The Entrepreneurship in the Digital and Gig Economy (EDGE) program is a five-year national initiative developed by the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with Hybrid Designs and its consortium partners. The program aims to unlock over 300,000 dignified and fulfilling employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged young people across Ethiopia. The program focuses on enhancing youth awareness, skill development, and enterprise growth within the digital and gig economy. By scaling innovative digital products such as the RIDE Smart Distributed Kitchen, Qegnet creative marketplace, and Fetroader sales force platform EDGE is transforming Ethiopia into a competitive hub for both domestic and offshore outsourcing. Job Profile Program: Entrepreneurship in the Digital and Gig Economy (EDGE) Implementing Partner: Hybrid Designs Duty Station: Addis Ababa, with travel to regions from time to time Employment Type: Program-based (2025–2029) Duration: One year with possible extension up to four years Reports to: Program Manager Required Number: One Application Deadline: April  7, 2026 Short Description of the Position Tasked with the critical front-end of the program,  Under the supervision of the Program Manager the  Partnership and Placement Lead   coordinates the overall programs operations and stakeholder relations.  Major Duties and Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Program Manager, the Partnership and Placement Lead will: Operational Coordination: Oversee the day-to-day operations of the EDGE program, ensuring all activities align with the Master Schedule and program milestones. Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and manage the partnership and placement team, fostering a high-performance culture focused on achieving the 300,000 job target. Strategic Partnership Development: Identify, map, and engage with key stakeholders, including private sector employers, government agencies, and international outsourcing firms. Placement Strategy Execution: Lead the end-to-end process of matching trained youth with dignified work in the digital and gig economy, specifically across the RIDE Kitchen, Qegnet, and Fetroader platforms. Performance Tracking: Monitor placement rates and job retention metrics, ensuring that the program meets its ambitious goal of 300,000 work opportunities. Collaborative Curriculum Feedback: Work closely with the training teams to ensure skill development tracks are aligned with the actual needs of the current labor market. Regional Outreach: Coordinate with regional hubs to ensure placement activities are inclusive and accessible to disadvantaged youth outside of Addis Ababa. Employer Relations & Demand Generation: Cultivate a robust network of "Demand-Side" partners to ensure a steady pipeline of job orders for program participants. Quality Assurance & Reporting: Ensure all placement data is accurate and compliant with Mastercard Foundation reporting standards, providing regular progress updates to the Program Manager.