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.

Job Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, or a related field.

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a projects or Program Participant  Recruitment/Training Officer, with a track record of managing high-volume participant onboarding.

• Prior experience working within non-profit organizations (NGOs) or UN organizations.

• Experience with Mastercard Foundation programs or other Youth Livelihood and Women Empowerment initiatives is highly desirable.

• Deep understanding of the Ethiopian digital economy, gig work trends, and the specific dynamics of the transport, creative, and logistics sectors.

• Ability to manage complex projects with multiple moving parts, ensuring deadlines are met across a five-year program lifecycle.

Technical Skills:

• Expertise in data management systems and the use of digital platforms for tracking participant progress.

• Strong understanding of recruitment methodologies and training quality assurance standards.

• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and inclusive recruitment for vulnerable populations.

• Ability to coordinate complex logistics for training and awareness events in various regional locations.

• Experience using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools to track lead generation and partnership pipelines.

• High proficiency in digital collaboration tools and a solid understanding of how digital platforms (like RIDE or Fetroader) operate.

Interpersonal Skills:

• Excellent communication and facilitation skills to work effectively with marketing and training teams.

• Ability to work in an inclusive and gender-sensitive environment.

• Strong organizational skills to manage high-volume data and system controls efficiently.

Diversity and Inclusion

The EDGE program is deeply committed to inclusion and diversity. We strive to create an environment where all young people, regardless of their background, can thrive. As our program aims for 80% participation from young women, they are highly encouraged to apply for this position.

How To Apply

Application Details

Interested and qualified candidates who meet the above requirements are invited to apply by sending their CV and a cover letter to:

• Email:  hr@edge.et & cc gelila.a@hybriddesignplc.com 

• Subject Line: Please include "Partnership placement Lead".

Job Requirements The role requires a bachelor’s degree in social sciences or related field, 3–5 years of experience in participant recruitment or training within NGOs/UNs, and deep knowledge of Ethiopia’s digital economy. Strong data management, CRM usage, and inclusive recruitment skills are essential. How to Apply Submit your non-returnable application and CV along with supporting documents in Via email hr@edge.et or gelila.a@hybriddesignplc.com