Director of Government Relations & Public Affairs, Africa at Yara International

Job Description

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Responsibilities

Undertake comprehensive mapping of relevant key public and private sector stakeholders. Identify public policy priorities, develop and implement short-term (six months) and longer-term (annual) GR/PA plans and strategies, budgetary requirements to help Yara Africa achieve its commercial objectives. Understand governmental priorities relevant to Yara, determine areas of alignment and how the company can help the government achieve these objectives. Develop Yara’s GR/PA strategies in SSA in coordination with SCP-II, SVP-A, and YAA regional teams in Africa and Asia, to position Yara externally as a key stakeholder and leader toward a nature-positive food future that focuses on food security, farmer prosperity, regenerative agriculture and climate sustainability. Position Yara as a trusted resource and advisor, help the government and other stakeholders develop regulatory and foreign direct investment (FDI) frameworks in support of Africa’s food and ag sector. Monitor, interpret and support Africa’s bilateral and multilateral public policy and regulatory environments. Develop and proactively present concise and business-relevant GR/PA intelligence on pertinent regulatory and governmental issues to Yara senior executives and external stakeholders. Drive the development, positioning and execution of Yara Africa’s senior management outreach and key stakeholder engagement to relevant policymakers, ensuring external relations are anticipatory, ongoing and aligned. Build and further relationships with a variety of Yara corporate stakeholders and external partners in SSA (e.g., Royal Norwegian Embassy, Norwegian and Africa government ministries and agencies, trade associations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), consumer groups, academic and research institutes, think tanks, agricultural cooperatives and the media). Serve as Yara’s primary representative – and help actively drive the Company’s strategic interests – in Africa-related trade associations and other membership-based organizations. Develop the SVP-II’s and SVP-A’s Africa-related internal and external communications. This could include emails, talking points, town hall remarks, speeches, PowerPoint presentations, press releases, media interviews, social media posts, and other communications. Assist with all aspects of Africa country visits by key Yara leaders, including the CEO, EVP for Africa & Asia, and SVP-II. Responsibilities could encompass full schedule planning, setting up and joining meetings with key internal and external stakeholders, development of briefing books, and logistical support.  Build and implement a strategy for Yara Africa’s public affairs and media engagement activities, including policy-related external communications that augment and align with country, regional (Africa/Asia) and global corporate positions. Identify and utilize appropriate external social medial channels and internal company ones to update stakeholders regularly. Represent Yara in high-profile public speaking/engagement roles (e.g., at local and regional conferences, on trade missions, etc.) .Develop Yara Africa’s – and help contribute to YAA’s – thought leadership and public policy contributions on a range of issues including: Help Yara grow a nature-positive food future in support of increased agricultural productivity, food security, innovation, sustainability, and enhanced livelihoods.Advocate for the importance of adopting and enabling access to digital technology-enabled solutions and other innovations to improve competitiveness of food system actors, specifically smallholder farmers and small businesses.Support the greater empowerment of farmers, particularly female and youth smallholders and MSME agri-entrepreneurs.Accelerate adoption of climate-smart and climate-resilient agricultural practices. Championing Yara’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) commitment. Align with the SVP-II and SVP-A and contribute on Africa-related GR/PA priorities that have regional and/or global relevance. Any other duties as may be reasonably expected.

Profile

A bachelor’s degree in political science, international affairs, or a similarly relevant field within the social sciences. 8-10 years of demonstrable experience of working in government, the diplomatic service, with a trade association, or in an MNC in a public policy, public affairs, and/or corporate communications role. Deep East Africa, West Africa, and/or Southern Africa professional experience and public/private-sector networks required. Multi-regional African experience highly desirable. Europe and/or Asia Pacific experience a plus. Excellent attention to detail (i.e., perfectionist attributes), organizational ability, time management and ability to prioritize competing demands and to provide quality work under short notice and tight turnaround times. Discreet, tact, personal and professional ethics and a diplomatic demeanor are essential. A team player. Proven ability to develop and maintain deep and diverse networks of contacts, such as those appropriate to this role. GR/PA background in the food/ag, agritech, or digital industries highly desirable. .Experience working in/with multicultural environments, and a keen interest in learning about other countries and cultures. Ability to engage (easily and with confidence) Yara and external stakeholders at all levels of heads of state, ambassadors, C-level executives, and other senior officials critical. Fluency in English, including excellent interpersonal and written communications skills required. Proficiency in Swahili, French, and/or other African national languages and lingua franca are highly desired. Proven ability to develop and implement successful public policy engagement campaigns. Experience with media relations and developing PR (e.g., writing press releases, media briefs, interview preps, internal and external social media posts, etc.) highly desirable. Pragmatic, resourceful, and flexible approach to work. Capable of operating independently as part of a small, hard-working team and are prepared to assist outside of office hours where necessary to meet company requirements and regional time zone differences of YAA’s business operating units. Open to international travel opportunities.