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The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with almost 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such...
Job Description
About the Team
The GSMA has a strong and growing presence in the Middle East and Africa region, with a multi-disciplinary team of more than 25 staff spread across the region, in Nairobi, Dubai, Johannesburg and Lagos, as well as in London. Please visit https://www.gsma.com/mea/ for a wealth of further information.
About the Role
Reporting to the Policy Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, (under the leadership of the GSMA Head of Sub Saharan Africa), the Policy Manager will assist in the engagement with relevant stakeholders in the Sub Sahara African region, with particular focus on Central Africa also supporting when and where needed in other Anglophone/Francophone Africa countries.
The Policy Manager will be expected to:
- Identify areas where member operators require regulatory support;
- Manage the delivery of support to member operators that require policy and regulatory assistance;
- Manage the delivery of GSMA Advocacy programmes (with a particular focus on Policy programs including but not limited to Spectrum, Regulatory Modernisation, Privacy, Taxation, Connectivity, KYC, etc.) in Central Africa and in the region.
- Convey GSMA’s public policy and key messages within the region and assess the impact of its public policy activities to ensure that they sufficiently address the requirements of member operators.
- Monitor mobile industry developments & key regulatory decisions within the region and providing appropriate analysis on the same;
- Conduct primary and secondary research, structure and summarize information to feed and communicate the organization messages;
- Prepare official correspondence, research papers, presentation materials, information bulletins, speech notes, reports and other ad hoc briefings as required;
- Contribute to drafting and reviewing consultation responses for regulatory and/or policy proposals in key markets under the guidance of the Policy Director for Sub-Sahara Africa;
- Attend and speak every time it is relevant and possible at meetings of regional inter-governmental organisations relevant for the sub-region and region (e.g. ECCAS, CEMAC, ARTAC, etc. Attendance under the guidance of the Policy Director for SSA at relevant meetings of AU, ATU, AU, ITU, etc. will also be necessary.
- Actively liaise and work with GSMA staff experts and/or program officers to ensure that appropriate assistance and resources are provided to members within the region on programmes involving government relations, as and when required;
- Assist to facilitate the implementation of GSMA’s broad stakeholder engagement plans and/or programs for the region;
- Actively engaging with relevant member operators and stakeholders at the national and regional levels with the aim of ensuring that GSMA key messages are conveyed and playing a positive role in shaping regulatory and industry developments within the region.
- Take part in ad-hoc activities to support the GSMA SSA and Government & Regulatory Affairs teams, as required.
About You
You will have
- At least 5 years of working experience and industry knowledge of the mobile industry would be required;
- At least 3 years of working experience within the public affairs sector;
- A strong network and experience in working/engaging with regional organisations, ministries and telecom regulatory authorities;
- Good knowledge of regulatory issues in the mobile sector and practices in Africa (including but not limited to infrastructure and connectivity, spectrum, taxation, internet, KYC, etc.);
- Excellent writing skills, be able to write reports and contribute to policy papers relevant to the region. Past experience in producing deliverables such as briefings, speeches, online, printed collateral, presentations, web content is an advantage;
- Strong project management skills; ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously and manage time effectively, sometimes working to tight deadlines.
- Ability to adapt to different cultures and to work with cross-functional and multi-disciplinary teams is important.
You will be
- Smart, analytical, collaborative and outcome focused.
- An excellent communicator, able to express complex technical, regulatory issues in plain language, without losing the important points;
- A team player highly motivated to engage with all relevant stakeholders and be able to efficiently work with a wide group of internal GSMA interests and resources, to ensure that the GSMA public policy priorities are effectively implemented in the region.
- Fluent in English and French both oral and written.
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About the Programmes
Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation Programme
There is wide-spread acceptance of the lifeline that mobile technology provides to populations affect by crisis and its ability to facilitate more dignified and self-reliant approaches to the provision of aid. GSMA envisions a digital humanitarian future, where mobile and digital solutions play an optimisation role in providing improved access to services, information and choice for people that could be or are already impacted by crisis. The Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation Programme will incorporate and expand the GSMA Disaster Response Programme, working with Mobile Network Operators, the humanitarian sector and other stakeholders to drive innovation and accelerate the impact of mobile technology before, during and after crisis
Digital Identity Programme
Proof of identity is a prerequisite to socio-economic development and essential to accessing basic services. Mobile technology is uniquely positioned to enable accessible and inclusive digital identity. The GSMA Digital Identity programme is playing a key role in advocating and raising awareness of the opportunity of mobile-enabled digital identity and life-enhancing services. Our programme works with mobile operators, governments and the development community to demonstrate the opportunities, address the barriers and highlight the value of mobile as an enabler of digital identification. The programme’s mission is to leverage mobile technology as an enabler of digital identity and associated services which provide social and commercial value in developing markets leading to greater social, political and economic inclusion
What the Hiring Manager Says
We are excited to be seeking for a passionate and driven professional to join the GSMA’s Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation and Digital Identity programmes as a Policy & Advocacy Manager. This is a newly formed position and will offer the successful candidate a real opportunity to grapple with pressing policy issues in the International Development space and engage with a diverse set of stakeholders across the globe
About The Role
- The GSMA is seeking The successful candidate will be responsible for:
- Taking ownership of specific policy and advocacy assignments and supporting the Advocacy team in developing and shaping policy positions. The role will focus on policy issues related to:
- Enabling mobile channels and platforms to be used for digital humanitarian response – for example in the context of natural disasters or supporting forcibly displaced populations including refugees;
- The role of mobile operators in supporting digital identification for the underserved and the consequent impact on financial and digital inclusion;
- Travelling to a number of target countries (mainly in Africa and Asiafocusing on MENA and SSA), supporting the organisation and/or leading policy roundtables, workshops involving multiple stakeholders such as policymakers, development agencies and mobile operators
- Keeping abreast of relevant policy and regulatory trends and presenting these to internal and external stakeholders – for example in the areas of technology in humanitarian response, digital identity, privacy, SIM registration and Know-Your-Customer (KYC) in the context of accessing mobile services, and providing analytical support as required
- Delivering, and contributing to the development of, Capacity Building courses aimed at policymakers on issues relating to the role of mobile in humanitarian contexts and/or Digital Identity
- Liaising with other GSMA teams to ensure alignment of messages as well as with external stakeholders including Policymakers, Mobile Operators, regulatory specialists, humanitarian and development stakeholders, regional experts and consultants
- Contributing to, peer-reviewing and editing publications on a wide variety of relevant subjects ensuring GSMA messages and positions are reflected and promoted consistently;
- Writing briefing papers and blogs
- The successful candidate will work alongside a high-performing and multi-cultural team based in London and Africa and report to GSMA’s Director of Policy & Regulatory Affairs for the Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation and Digital Identity Programmes.
About You
- Experience in Policy & Regulatory Affairs, ideally with a Development Agency or NGO
- Excellent communications skills and able to influence a range of stakeholders
- Passionate about the potential applications of technology (incl. mobile technology) in humanitarian contexts to achieve both social and commercial impact
- Demonstrative appreciation of how government policy and regulation can impact private sector investment and the strategic dynamics among competing companies within the mobile industry
- Graduate with degree in Law, Economics, Politics/PPE, or Iinternational development Development with a policy focus
- Strong analytical skills and ability to write compelling and concise reports for a variety of audiences
- Direct experience in working with multiple external stakeholders, including governmental and inter-governmental authorities
- Willingness to work in results-oriented team environment and ability to adapt to shifting priorities
- An enthusiastic team player with an ability to work in a matrixed structure, to support cross functional collaboration across the GSMA
- Drive and proactivity - demonstrates a “can do” attitude, and eager to identify and suggest ways of improving existing processes
- Very conscientious and highly organised, shows excellent attention to detail
- Ability to manage own time effectively
- Able to quickly grasp new concepts and ideas
- Ability to travel internationally
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About the Team
Mobile for Development (M4D) is a dedicated global team within the GSMA, bringing together our mobile operator members, tech innovators, the development community and governments to prove the power of mobile in emerging markets. We identify opportunities and deliver innovations with socio-economic impact on over 30 million lives across 49 countries.
M4D’S Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation (M4H) programme works to accelerate the delivery and impact of digital humanitarian assistance. It focuses on the use of mobile-enabled solutions in humanitarian contexts across five focus areas:
- Digital identity
- Food security, adaption and resilience to climate change
- Inclusivity
- Mobile-enabled utilities
- Mobile financial services
Through building bridges between the mobile industry and humanitarian sector, catalysing innovative solutions, developing insights and tools and investing in new partnerships and services, the M4H team aims to help shape an inclusive, impactful digital humanitarian future
About the Role
- As a Market Engagement Manager (MEM), you will have the following responsibilities:
- Build and manage relationships with mobile network operators in prioritised countries in the SSA region in order to identify and catalyse strategic opportunities to develop and support initiatives that align with the programme’s core objectives;
- Build and execute a pipeline of multi-stakeholder projects that help understand new opportunity areas and/or demonstrate impact, including project design, partnership brokering and management, business case and business model development and operational support
- On-going management of in-country projects. This may include organising and facilitating multi-stakeholder workshops, conducting desk-based landscaping research, assisting with project management and managing relationships across a range of stakeholders (e.g. mobile operators, development partners, start-ups and third-party solution providers).
- Support and convene the GSMA Humanitarian Connectivity Charter (HCC) signatories in the region.
- Provide support to grantees from the Innovation Fund in the region, and support wider Innovation Fund processes including identification of potential applicants, proposal review and due diligence.
- Contribute to the M4D learning agenda by supporting the production of high-quality and professional publications, toolkits and blogs which capture lessons and insights regarding business models, grantee learnings, trends, relevant in-market convenings and developments from in-market engagement.
- Ensure appropriate coordination of the programme’s regional efforts with relevant internal and external partners.
- Support the Market Engagement team on the overall strategic partnership and engagement plan for the M4H programme to ensure relationships with key stakeholders (MNO members, relevant private sector actors, UN/humanitarian agencies and NGOs) are established, well-defined and maintained
- Proactively communicate relevant topical developments from across the region to the M4H and wider M4D teams;
About You
- Previous experience within the mobile industry, preferably in the Sub-Saharan Africa region;
- Experience managing multi-stakeholder relationships and delivering multi-stakeholder projects with some direction and supervision;
- Solid commercial acumen with an ability to clearly communicate strategic opportunities, develop a compelling business case, value proposition and business models
- Familiarity with the humanitarian sector, including an active interest in the potential of mobile and digital solutions to improve humanitarian response
- Comfortable managing relationships with various internal and external stakeholders, including C-level executives and dedicated entrepreneurs
- Experience in business development, project management and product development
- Experience working with donors, international development community or multi-lateral organisations an asset
- Able to quickly grasp new concepts and ideas (given the level of innovation in our sector and the wider industry) and proactively communicate and work as part of a global team.
- Naturally curious, able to think beyond business-as-usual scenarios, and dream big.
- Process-oriented individual, that takes ownership and responsibly without unnecessary management from above
- Excellent team-work abilities to effectively and proactively work with the whole M4H team and the wider GSMA in order to achieve collective programme and industry goals
- Excellent communicator: able to express complex technical or commercial issues in plain language, without losing the important points
- Fluent and compelling written and oral communications skills in English. This includes the ability to draft blogs, discussion documents, concept notes, and reports with minimal review and supervision required
- French competency is a plus
- Should be able to work from the GSMA Nairobi office and have the right to work in Kenya
- Ability and willingness to travel in the region frequently
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