Young Africans stepping out of university or polytechnic often face a familiar challenge: Limited practical experience, high competition for entry-level roles, and the gap between classroom learning and real workplace demands.
The Mastercard Foundation Associates Program Cohort 2, delivered in partnership with Jobberman, directly addresses this by offering structured, paid 12-month work placements designed to build skills, confidence, and pathways into sustained employment.
What is The Mastercard Foundation Associates Program
The Mastercard Foundation Associates Program is a pan-African initiative that connects recent graduates and early-career professionals with employers for year-long paid placements. Participants gain hands-on experience while receiving employability training, mentorship, leadership development, and entrepreneurship support. Since its launch in 2023, more than 1,000 Associates across 22 countries have taken part, including young women, persons with disabilities, refugees, and internally displaced persons.
In West Africa, Jobberman serves as the regional placement partner for Anglophone countries. Phase 2 of the program aims to place 3,650 young professionals across Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia. Earlier cohorts demonstrated strong outcomes: the first phase placed around 370–375 Associates in Nigeria and Ghana, with more than 68 percent securing meaningful employment afterward.
The current 2026 Cohort 2 recruitment window, administered by Jobberman, runs from 21 September 2026 to 21 October 2026. Successful candidates will complete a 12-month paid placement that includes a monthly stipend (amount varies by location and sector and is typically paid in local currency), structured workplace supervision, performance feedback, and ongoing program support.
Who Can Apply
Eligibility focuses on young people ready to transition into the world of work. Core requirements generally include:
- Age between 18 and 34 (or up to 35 in some descriptions)
- At least a diploma or first-degree qualification from a tertiary institution
- Currently unemployed or underemployed
- Zero to two years of work experience
- Resident in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, or The Gambia
- Completion of mandatory national service (or official exemption) where applicable in the applicant’s country
Mastercard Foundation program alumni including Scholars Program participants and alumni of other Foundation-supported initiatives are strongly encouraged to apply. The program prioritizes inclusion, with targets of approximately 70 percent women participants and intentional opportunities for persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons.
Applicants should only apply for roles based in their country of residence or for explicitly listed remote positions.
What Associates Receive
Beyond the paid placement itself, the program is designed as a supported journey rather than a conventional internship. Key elements include:
- Meaningful work assignments under host-organization supervision
- Employability and enrichment training (including the mandatory PREP2SOAR job-readiness preparation for shortlisted candidates)
- Mentorship and professional development
- Access to a designated HR contact for guidance on workplace issues, conflict resolution, and performance reviews
- Leadership and entrepreneurship support
- Networking with fellow Associates and program partners such as LEAP Africa
Host employers are vetted to ensure they can provide structured environments, clear reporting lines, and adequate mentorship. Placements span various sectors depending on available vacancies.
Why This Matters for West Africa
Youth unemployment and underemployment remain significant barriers across the region. By combining paid experience with deliberate skills-building and employer matching, the Associates Program helps close the experience gap that often blocks graduates from securing full-time roles. For employers, it offers access to pre-screened, job-ready talent with salary support and recruitment assistance for the 12-month period.
The expansion into five countries and the scale-up to thousands of placements reflect a deliberate effort to create more equitable pathways into work, particularly for women and other underrepresented groups.
How to Apply
Applications for the Jobberman-administered West Africa Cohort 2 are submitted through the official recruitment portal managed by Jobberman. Interested Applicants can. Apply using the Link provided 👉 Here.
The process typically involves:
1. Reviewing currently available positions on the Jobberman Cohort 2 portal.
2. Selecting roles that match your qualifications, skills, location, and interests.
3. Preparing an up-to-date CV.
4. Gathering required documents (valid government-issued ID showing date of birth, national service certificate or exemption letter where applicable, and evidence of prior Mastercard Foundation program participation if relevant).
5. Completing and submitting the online application before the 21 October 2026 deadline.
After submission, applications are screened. Shortlisted candidates are contacted for next steps, including the mandatory PREP2SOAR training to prepare for employer interviews. Placement start dates depend on matching and employer timelines.
Because vacancy listings can change as positions are filled or new ones are added, check the portal regularly during the application window. Apply only for roles for which you meet the stated requirements rather than submitting indiscriminately.
The Mastercard Foundation Associates Program Cohort 2 with Jobberman represents a concrete opportunity for eligible young professionals in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia to gain paid professional experience, structured support, and a stronger foundation for long-term employment. With applications open until 21 October 2026, interested candidates should review the available roles promptly, prepare their documents carefully, and submit a strong, targeted application.
For the most current details, eligibility confirmation, and the official application link, visit the Jobberman-managed recruitment portal for the Mastercard Foundation Associates Program or the Mastercard Foundation’s program pages. Opportunities of this nature are competitive; early and accurate applications improve your chances of progressing through the selection process.
