No Title Provided

2026-07-29 services

Kakuma, 29 July 2026
No Intro Provided

A Paid Pathway to Professional Integration

The Mastercard Foundation has officially opened applications for its Associates Program, a landmark initiative offering 12-month paid placements for young graduates across Africa, with a particular focus on supporting refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) [1]. Launched in April 2026, this programme provides selected candidates with hands-on work experience, structured mentorship, and targeted employability training to facilitate a seamless transition into the global workforce [1]. This timely intervention addresses critical livelihood challenges, offering a vital stepping stone for qualified young professionals seeking to build resilient careers in an increasingly competitive economic landscape [1].

Aligning with Broad Youth Employment Strategies

The programme is a core element of the Mastercard Foundation’s broader mandate to advance learning, promote financial inclusion, and secure youth employment [2]. Established in 2006 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, the independent non-profit organisation has spent seven years actively implementing its ‘Young Africa Works’ strategy, which engages directly with youth to create dignified and purposeful employment [2]. Highlighting this commitment, the foundation marked World Youth Skills Day on 15 July 2026 by celebrating its ongoing partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to expand self-reliance pathways for millions of displaced youth, referencing successful skills training outcomes for young refugees in Kenya [2].

Core Eligibility and Candidate Requirements

To ensure the placements benefit those most in need of early-career support, the Mastercard Foundation has established clear eligibility criteria [1]. Applicants must be young people aged between 18 and 35 years living across Africa [1]. Furthermore, the programme is specifically tailored for recent graduates who possess between zero and two years of professional work experience [1]. Crucially, candidates must also be alumni of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program or other foundation-supported initiatives, ensuring that previous educational investments are successfully converted into dignified, long-term employment opportunities [1][2].

How to Access Application Support and Resources

Prospective applicants can access a range of practical tools and guidance designed to assist them throughout the recruitment process [1]. The Mastercard Foundation has established the Transitions Community on LinkedIn, a dedicated group where candidates can receive application tips and professional advice [1][3]. Additionally, comprehensive details regarding the application steps, programme expectations, and placement terms are hosted on the foundation’s official programme webpage [1][4]. While applications for this cohort opened on 21 April 2026, specific closing deadlines have not been publicly detailed in the primary announcements, making early submission highly advisable [1][alert! ‘The official UNHCR Kenya and Mastercard Foundation announcements do not specify a closing deadline for the 2026 cohort’].

Bronnen

refugee employment skills training