External Affairs Specialist at Nokia

Government and Regulatory Engagement:

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with government officials, regulatory bodies, and industry associations across Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Advocate for favourable policies and regulatory frameworks that align with the company’s business strategy and industry best practices.
• Provide strategic guidance on regulatory compliance and policy risks to internal stakeholders.

Policy Analysis and Advocacy:

• Monitor, analyze, and interpret regional telecommunications, ICT, and emerging technology policy trends and legislative developments.
• Develop and implement advocacy strategies to drive favourable policy outcomes, including drafting policy papers, position statements, and engagement campaigns.
• Engage in thought leadership by participating in industry discussions, conferences, and policy roundtables.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Represent the company in key industry forums, public-private partnerships, and multi-stakeholder platforms.
• Work cross-functionally with internal teams, including legal, compliance, operations, and business units, to ensure policy alignment and regulatory adherence.
• Foster collaboration with international organizations, development partners, and NGOs to advance shared objectives in digital transformation and connectivity.

ESG Strategy and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):

• Support  the company’s ESG-related policy and advocacy efforts within Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Collaborate with corporate and regional ESG leads to drive sustainability and responsible business practices aligned with company-wide goals.
• Engage with governments, regulators, and industry groups to promote ESG frameworks, climate initiatives, and digital inclusion policies.

Funding and Development Engagements:

• Identify and leverage funding opportunities from international financial institutions, development banks, and multilateral organizations.
• Engage with relevant stakeholders to secure support for strategic projects and initiatives that align with the company’s growth and target goals.
• Partner with internal teams to align funding applications and partnerships with the company’s business strategy and regional priorities

KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in political science, Public Policy, Law, International Relations, Business Administration, or a related field. An engineering background with credible government relations experience can also be considered.

Experience:

• Solid experience in government relations, public policy, regulatory affairs, or corporate affairs, preferably within the telecommunications or technology sector.
• Deep understanding of telecommunications, technology, and digital economy policy frameworks. 
• Strong grasp of the socio-economic and geopolitical dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa and their impact on business and regulatory decisions.
• Proven track record of engaging with governments, regulatory authorities, and international institutions and in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Strong ability to communicate complex policy and regulatory issues clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Experience driving ESG-related policy initiatives within corporate or public policy settings.