Government Affairs Leader - Africa & Middle East at DuPont

Want to make a difference in our world by meeting the challenges of feeding and powering a growing planet?

Enjoy a challenging and fulfilling career with an international employer. Pioneer Hi-Bred International has business operations in more than 90 countries, and is committed to increasing food production with high quality Pioneer brand products and agronomic knowledge that maximizes agricultural productivity. By combining conventional and advanced plant genetics, Pioneer is delivering solutions to help meet the needs of a growing population’s demand for agricultural seed.

The Incumbent will need to plan, develop, and lead the region-wide implementation of government affairs programs in Africa and Middle East with a specific focus on South Africa, Cameroon, Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Morocco, Tunisia, Tanzania, Egypt, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Algeria.

It will also be expected of the incumbent to, develop, coordinate, and implement business strategies with business leaders, relevant policy making bodies, and associations on policy matters that impact the DowDuPont Agriculture Division in Africa. Strategies are typically designed to promote regulatory acceptance of products and critical commercial business growth initiatives.

Key Accountabilities:

• Share the new AgCo vision with external stakeholders.
• Identify key political and non-technical risks relevant to DowDuPont Agriculture Division’s businesses and develop comprehensive advocacy strategies, risk mitigations, and engagement plans in conjunction with key stakeholders.
• Develop, manage, sustain, and enhance relationships with key Africa-based external stakeholders relevant to the identified risks, focusing on South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Tanzania.
• Leverage advocacy, intelligence gathering, analysis risk mitigation and relationships to contribute to business objectives.
• Effectively advocate DowDuPont Agriculture Division’s positions on legislation and regulatory proposals, leveraging Business Unit, Regulatory, Legal, and Global Government Affairs Network resources.
• Represent DowDuPont Agriculture Division to business-related Chambers/Councils/Associations and principal accountability for Africa-based think-tanks/research houses.
• Work as part of the International Government Affairs team in developing and managing DowDuPont Agriculture Division’s global positions on public policy issues.

Qualifications

Qualifications/Experience

• Extensive experience in government and/or government relations roles. A variety of assignments is preferred.
• Experience in a multinational corporation or association focused on innovative sectors and/or food and agriculture sectors.
• Superior/first-hand knowledge of the Governments of South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Tanzania, multi-lateral agency, trade associations, policy environment and decision-making processes.
• Demonstrated understanding of how government officials develop and implement policy. Ability to analyze government policy/legislation and advocate corporate positions before senior policy makers, legislative staff, and the administration.
• Demonstrated ability to strategically cultivate, manage, and utilize key stakeholder relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with government entities to collaborate and secure incentives to operate and innovate.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate political risk mitigation strategies into product commercialization strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and coalitions across value chain entities to advance common policy objectives.
• Able to work effectively in multi-functional and multi-cultural environment, and in a team setting.
• Able to build and sustain extensive network of relationships (internal and external).
• Strong advocacy skills and ability to promote public policy positions.
• Strong interpersonal, networking, and public speaking skills, with the confidence and credibility to act quickly, communicate effectively, and command respect of both internal and external audiences.
• Proven ability to think strategically and exercise good judgment.
• High levels of motivation and initiative to work in complex and ambiguous environments.
• Fluency in English with strong written and oral communication skills. Relevant local language fluencies are considered a plus.
• Availability to travel at least 30% of the time.