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Job Title
Director, Public Policy, Southern Africa
An experienced public policy practitioner to drive Mastercard’s advocacy efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa (cluster of 15 countries in the Southern Africa cone).
The jobholder will bring a positive commitment to joining a dynamic and collaborative team focused on the formulation and implementation of strategic plans for government and third-party influencer engagement to positively shape the policy debate and outcome.
The key objectives are:
1. Position Mastercard as a trusted partner and enabler of the national agenda, focusing on accelerating the migration to electronic payments to enable digital economies, spur innovation and drive financial inclusion.
2. Enable business and safeguard Mastercard’s interests by advocating a conducive policy and regulatory environment.
3. Create a positive cycle of engagement whereby Mastercard’s policy advocacy is reinforced by demonstrating the company’s local relevance and value proposition through strategic communications and government programs.
Based in the Mastercard office in Johannesburg, the role reports to the Vice President and Head of Public Policy – Middle East & Africa and will engage in regular consultation with the Division President, Country Heads and their direct reports. The jobholder will work closely with colleagues in the business, legal and regulatory functions to ensure issues that are of concern to Mastercard are identified and managed in a way that benefits Mastercard and our stakeholders.
Responsibilities:
Develop and execute public policy strategy and implementable engagement programs for the Division. These programs will be designed to both preemptively and reactively head-off and respond to legislative, policy and regulatory threats to Mastercard and the electronic payments industry.
Brief country, regional and global executive management of regulatory developments, recommend appropriate course of action and work closely with internal stakeholders to move the agenda forward.
Establish and enhance relationships with key government officials and third-party influencers.
Coordinate industry cooperation on non-competitive public policy issues and represent Mastercard in industry forums, associations and related activities.
Manage external agencies to represent and advocate Mastercard’s interests.
Experience Required:
The ideal candidate will have a distinguished track record as a high achieving public policy practitioner with a demonstrated capability to develop and successfully execute policy advocacy programs.
University degree level, with 5-10 years’ experience in similar Public Policy or Government Relations roles in a major multinational business, consultancy, Trade Association or a regulatory authority.
An intimate working knowledge of the processes and inner workings of the legislative and political process and an ability to analyze the impact of legislation on Mastercard and develop strategies to move the company’s interests forward.
Strong leadership skills, sound priority-setting, strategic thinking and communication, ability to work autonomously and to handle multiple priorities, inscrutable integrity.
A collaborative team player who will work well with senior management and peers, as a high-energy, self-motivated and results-driven individual.
Must possess strong analytical approach to problem solving, ability to develop creative solutions to complex problems, ability to deal with short deadlines and work productively in high pressure situations in dynamic commercial and policy environments.
Excellent written and spoken English communication (French and/or Portuguese are an asset) and interpersonal skills as a foundation for developing and maintaining strong internal relationships at all levels, cross-functionally and across business units and geographies within Mastercard.
Willing to travel both within Southern Africa, and as necessary to the regional headquarters in Dubai and global headquarters in the US.
Knowledge and experience in the financial services and payments sector are valued. Candidate needs not be currently working in these sectors, but prior experience/familiarity in this sector is a clear plus.
Due to COVID-19, most of our employees are working from home. We’ve implemented a virtual hiring process and continue to interview candidates by phone or video and are onboarding new hires remotely. We value the safety of each member of our community because we know we’re all in this together.
Mastercard is an inclusive Equal Employment Opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process, please contact [email protected] and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Do not include any medical or health information in this email. The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly.