Dow sees Africa as crucial to the company’s future growth and business success. We are proud that our solutions have been part of this growth across industries, whether it is in agriculture, infrastructure, energy, or manufacturing. We have been operating in Africa for over 50 years and we are passionate about combining the power of science and technology to create solutions that forward human progress. We are constantly looking at ways to help address many of the world’s most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity.
Africa is one the two most politically tumultuous regions in the world. For our fast growing operations in sub-Saharan Africa we have an opportunity for Public & Government Affairs manager West Africa (f/m) to be located in Lagos, Nigeria. This role is responsible for building and strengthening the Dow brand (internal/external) in Ghana, Nigeria and the broader West Africa region, in line with business development priorities and activities. This includes counselling (senior) leaders and Public & Government Affairs colleagues on implementation of the strategy as well as leveraging best practices, learnings’ and tactics when and where appropriate.
The incumbent needs to have a strategic mindset, methodical manner, capable of ensuring adequate processes are in place for rationalizing tactical activities and ensure Public & Government Affairs in Sub-Saharan Africa continues to play a strategic role.
This position reports to:
Public & Government Affairs Leader for Sub-Saharan Africa, based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Public Affairs:
Specific Responsibilities:
Develop a comprehensive strategic Public Affairs strategy and lead its implementation, developing an annual calendar of activities including external communications programs and actives including (trade) media engagement, trade show and conferences, thought leadership positioning in media and speaking platforms, customer engagements – campaigns and events, executive communications support, social media, literature creation and production.
Develop tailored value propositions, key messages and proof points to be used as regional specific messages.
Identify (trade) press relevant for Dow and establish relationships with key media.
Identify and recommend trade fair and conference participation critical for positioning and promotion Dow in our strategic key markets.
Manage Corporate Social Responsibility in West Africa and leverage those across the region to build, maintain and enhance local relationships and reputation.
Deliver employee communications – within the business in the region and between the region and the global business.
Agency and supplier management.
Develop business case studies to serve as proof points for geographic Public Affairs or corporate messaging where geographic examples are required (innovation, sustainability, etc).
Job information and working conditions:
Full time position with regional responsibilities.
Some out of country/town and overnight travel is required.
Government Affairs:
The preferred candidate has an in-depth understanding of political and economic processes as well as thorough knowledge of the political economy of at least one of the regions. She/he will need to possess an analytical mind backed by extensive engagement at a policy level – preferably across disciplines.
Specific Responsibilities:
Develop a comprehensive strategic Government Affairs strategy and lead its implementation.
Build a strong corporate profile amongst key government and political decision makers.
Develop and implement advocacy plans that target key issues and government challenges for the company.
Develop tailored value propositions, key messages and proof points to be used as regional specific messages.
Harness existing DOW relationships with key stakeholders including national, regional and international policy makers, bureaucrats as well as industry associations and NGO’s.
Work with appropriate trade and industry associations, lobbyists, consultants and vendors to drive business and influence decisions impacting the business.
Work closely with the country General Managers and other geographic leaders to ensure that the organization’s interests are best represented and moved forward within governmental circles.
Align objectives and strategies with the Global and Regional Public and Government Affairs functions.
Provide political analysis and expertise to owners of country strategy.
Identify key risks and work with stake holders to ameliorate them.
Competencies most critical for this job include:
1) Interpersonal Effectiveness:
Make decisions that balance the needs, priorities and viewpoints of a global organization.
Help others in communicating their ideas more effectively.
Work with a strong team orientation to leverage and support.
Demonstrates superior interpersonal skills and can operate effectively with all levels of management both internally and externally.
Make decisions that balance the needs, priorities and viewpoints of a global organization.
2) Communications Expertise:
Proactively develops, executes and takes ownership of complex, multi-stakeholder Public Affairs/Government Affairs communications plans.
Develops creative campaigns/programs that change attitudes and behavior in various stakeholders.
Proactively develops written Public Affairs/Government Affairs communication plans and recommends to management. Understands clients’ priorities/ business strategy/plans.
Advises others in Dow on message/tactic development.
3) Collaborating for Superior Results:
Candidate must be able to effectively collaborate with Government Affairs and Public Affairs within the region and have credibility to influence the client and peers in the function outside the region.
Work effectively in an environment of collaboration through purposeful coordination of communication programs across Public Affairs and Government Affairs.
4) Leading Courageously:
Candidate to be able to demonstrate effectiveness and focus on priorities in face of change (unplanned events, cancellation of events, late notice exec visits, people changes). Be comfortable to take calculated risks to commit deliverables and achieve success for comm programs where no precedent exists.
Have credibility and confidence to challenge business or function on actions not in support of Dow/regional objectives and lead process to resolve conflicting views.
5) Delivering Innovative Solutions:
Candidate to be creative and resourceful in developing solutions.
As emerging geography, priorities and focus can shift quickly and the incumbent must be able to adapt quickly and adjust priorities while maintaining focus on strategic imperatives.
6) Generating Customer Value:
Candidate to be focused on understanding Dow’s strategy and business objectives in order to be able to define messaging and projects that are customer driven and differentiate Dow. Use the knowledge of geo/political drivers in key geographies and to shape business comm priorities that address local themes and resonate with local target audiences (i.e., infrastructure development, job creation, water shortage, etc).
Seek cross business, cross function, cross geo approach to deliver customer solutions.
Critical Success Factors:
Mastery of multiple communications disciplines and in-depth knowledge of all related and unrelated internal and external influences.
Ability to understand and balance commercial, Public Affairs, Government Affairs and business priorities.
Understanding of strategy for Dow and the Dow businesses to translate into meaningful and impactful business comm strategy in the region.
Recognized by clients, peers and global industry communication leaders as expert on effective local communication practices.
Ability to build network and work effectively within the business and function with colleagues inside and outside the region.
Apply expertise of local communication practices to provide credible counsel to commercial and sales leadership and influence communication strategy driven from outside the region.
Appreciation for sales and business drivers and processes to deliver comm plans that fit with the commercial practices.
Exhibit confidence and leadership with logical rationale to build support required for communication recommendations to clients, PA peers and global business communicators.
Coach executives and representatives in effective communication with the media and public at large.
Proven project management experience to deliver on time and on budget.
Qualifications
Mass Communications, Journalism, Political Science, Economics, Law, Master of Arts.
Minimum of 8 years regional experience as a Public Affairs/Government Affairs manager in an emerging market.
Strong agency experience is preferred.
Experience with several Dow businesses or similar businesses externally– B2B experience is a plus.
Experience in more than one geography, i.e. Europe, Middle East, North Africa etc.
Language: Strong English language skills – written and verbal. Knowledge of French is a plus.
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company is driving innovations that extract value from the intersection of chemical, physical and biological sciences to help address many of the world’s most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, clean energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow’s integrated, market-driven, industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 180 countries and in high growth sectors such as packaging, electronics, water, coatings and agriculture. In 2013, Dow had annual sales of more than $57 billion and employed approximately 53,000 people worldwide. The Company’s more than 6,000 products are manufactured at 201 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.
Dow Offers:
Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits
An annual variable pay program that rewards team and individual performance while sharing success across the company
Employee stock ownership – and the commitment to long-term success that it brings
On-going learning opportunities within a diverse, inclusive and rewarding work environment
Career experiences that can span different Dow businesses and functions with opportunities for personal and professional growth
The chance to work within a global company and interact with colleagues from around the world
Opportunities that spark your imagination and ignite your passion to help others
Dow is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
How to Apply
Click Here to Apply Online
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