Managing Executive: Group Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs at Vodacom

Your responsibilities will include:

Identify, monitor and analyse policy and regulatory issues affecting Vodacom operating companies (DRC, Mozambique, Tanzania, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa). Devise proactive strategies to solve existing challenges and drive business growth.
Identify, monitor and analyse policy and regulatory issues affecting Vodacom operating companies
Develop a co-ordinated group / op.co strategy and plan for engagement with respective stakeholders on regulatory and public policy issues 
Leverage synergies available within Vodafone and Vodacom groups
Provide world class public policy and regulatory support to:
-    All Vodacom Group companies (Mozambique, D.R.C., Lesotho, Tanzania)
-    Vodacom business entities
-    Safaricom entities (Kenya, Ethiopia)

Manage a regional team of senior public policy and regulatory experts

• Develop and manage a high performing Vodacom Group public policy and regulatory team which contributes to group performance and to the Vodafone global external affairs community

Provide strategic input on legal regulatory and external affairs issues at group leadership level

• Provide strategic support as requested or required on public policy and regulatory matters to the Chief Officer: External Affairs
• Provide relevant public policy and regulatory input to Strategy and Business Development function on mergers, acquisitions and new business prospects
• Prepare board papers, strategies, plans and proposals for board / executive committee review (Vodacom Group) and operating companies.

Build coalitions and represent Vodacom in meetings with external stakeholders’ communications Vodacom’s policy positions at public events across Vodacom’s footprint.

• Network with relevant stakeholders such as regulators, government/industry-based committees or interest groups, etc.
• Build coalitions with critical stakeholders and represent Vodacom externally.

As a member of the Vodacom Group External Affairs leadership team to:

• Provide counsel and advice on regulatory and public policy opportunities and risks facing Vodacom Group operating companies. 
• Proactively manage public policy and regulatory risks by influencing outcomes through strategic advocacy.
• Establish and maintain strategic relations with regulatory stakeholders across Vodacom’s operating companies and with multilateral bodies, at regional and sub-regional levels, such as  SADC, EAC, AU. 
• Serve as the interface between the company and the external environment on public policy and regulatory matters.
• Provide leadership, professional oversight and guidance to senior subject matter experts in a matrix organisation. 

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

Must have professional qualifications:

• Advanced Degree Public Affairs, Politics, Law and/or Economics
• 10-15 years experience (including senior management experience) in telecommunications, banking or related highly regulated industry (i.e. similar socio-economic and security features dealing  with regulation, government / public sector relationship building, etc.)
• Experience of senior leadership and management in a matrix organisation working with highly specialised experts.
• Significant experience and track record of managing strategic outreach with a diverse set of stakeholders
• Track record of identifying, monitoring and analysing policy and regulatory issues across African jurisdictions. Good understanding of policy and regulatory issues facing communication and financial service providers required. 
• Excellent communication skills – written and verbal
• Experience executing cross-functional campaigns
• Ability to provide leadership and guidance to a team of public policy / regulatory specialists.
• Ability to navigate a matrix organisation.
• Analysis and Synthesis: Ability to analyse a complex set of information requiring a mixture of technical/professional competencies to comprehend, the ability to synthesise the issue and propose a decision
• Decision making: The ability to communicate, influence and negotiate successfully to conclude an agreement on complex and important issues
• Relationship management: Ability to liaise and communicate effectively externally and to project a positive image of the company
• Leadership: Ability to manage, motivate and develop a team of high performance, high skill staff of diverse technical and professional backgrounds.  Ability to provide functional leadership across the business
• Integrity and resilience: Ability to operate/negotiate in high-pressure situations, a strong sense of principle and the ability to represent and maintain a principled position in a negative or hostile situation.