General Manager: Regulatory Strategy and Public Policy at MTN

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job

• The General Manager: Regulatory Strategy & Public Policy is responsible for defining MTN’s position, developing and executing its advocacy strategies on key regulatory developments. The role will responsible for leading an integrated global regulatory and public policy strategy and proactively aligning business initiatives with policy trends and public policy objectives. Additionally, the role will monitor and analyse the political, economic and social environment for developments and risks and manage MTN’s Regulatory strategy. Through research, they will provide innovative strategies to effectively address policy and legislative developments across the MTN ecosystem.

Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's)

• The General Manager: Regulatory Strategy & Public Policy will be accountable to achieve the following objectives:
• Develop and implement a Regulatory strategy, policy and framework that supports MTN Group’s strategy.
• Manage the Group’s advocacy strategy towards Regulatory and Policy issues, ensuring a consistent Regulatory and Policy approach to key issues across the Group.
• Advising the Group and Opcos on external regulatory issues that have an impact on the regulatory environment and providing the necessary support.
• Harnessing MTN-wide experience, on various issues to assist Opcos in responding to regulatory matters such as external benchmarking exercises, ensuring consistency across MTN’s ecosystem.
• Develop policies to contribute positively to regulatory decisions and industry issues.
• Support M&A activities and geographic expansion with the identification of relevant policies and legislative requirements, including scenario planning, impact analysis, businesses cases.
• Informing the Group of policy cycles and identifying potential areas that may require amendments to existing legislation or policies, including the analysis of new or amended policies and legislation.
• Provide strategic insights into international industry trends that have a Regulatory impact on the business.
• Support the business in managing Regulatory risks that emanate from global issues, i.e. sanctions.
• Proactive stakeholder management to keep stakeholders informed of regulatory developments and provide continued relevant strategic guidance.
• Monitor and track developing political, economic and social issues that may have Regulatory or Policy implications.
• Timeous monitoring and analysis of pending legislation and regulations that may impact the company’s operations.
• Prepare and/or compile periodic performance reports on all legislation and external regulatory matters.
• Support of the individual Opcos in the fulfilment of their public policy and regulatory responsibilities (e.g. through research, establishment of virtual teams to support Opcos on specific policy & regulatory issues e.g. Economic regulations, Legislative and Regulatory Amendments etc.)
• Supporting training of local executives and regulatory affairs professionals with strategic public affairs management
• Make MTN’s public policy positions, research, tools and reports broadly accessible by helping develop and evolve the team’s knowledge management platform
• Help coordinate MTN-sponsored symposiums and other forums, in partnership with academic partners, to promote MTN’s thought leadership and industry dialogue on key public policy issues

Key Deliverables

• Lead an integrated global regulatory and public policy.
• Manage MTN’s external regulatory strategy.
• Provide innovative strategies to address policy and legislation effectively across the MTN ecosystem.
• Group awareness of Public Policy.
• Build and implement monitoring tools.
• Develop a global risk matrix that will allow MTN to track every public policy risk in real time.
• Develop critical skills and Talent.

Role Dependencies

• Active support from the Group Chief Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Officer.
• Deep understanding of the MTN business strategy.
• Thorough understanding of the complexity of the global socio-economic environment, regional developments, the ICT industry and MTN’s ecosystem.
• Understanding of technology, business and external regulatory context.
• Timely decision making and reporting.
• Alignment of OpCo and Group strategy initiatives.

Job Requirements 

Education:

• Minimum of 4-year tertiary degree.
• Postgraduate Qualification in Legal or related field.
• LLB or LLM qualification preferred
• MPA or MPP advantageous
• Relevant certification / accreditation / membership with professional body as required for role  
• Fluent in English and language of country preferable

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years in ICT Regulatory or General Regulatory Risk Management
• Minimum 8 - 10 years senior management experience or more
• Minimum 5 years relevant sector/industry/area of specialisation
• Emerging market experience is an advantage
• Legislative, regulatory and Policy analysis experience required
• Worked across diverse cultures and geographies