Senior Manager - Public Policy and Research.Group Legal and Regulatory

MTN is entering a new phase in its lifecycle where operational and commercial excellence has become critical for success. The urgency for change has become more heightened amidst increased competitive intensity across all markets in which MTN operates.  The Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy unit must therefore ensure the successful delivery in context of:
-    A highly dynamic and evolving ICT environment
-    A variety of public policy and regulatory regimes at various levels of maturation represented in the MTN ecosystem 
-    The geographic complexity of MTN’s foot print 
-    Management of executive and local shareholder expectations across all MTN Opcos
-    Management of customer and supplier expectations 
-    Enhance MTN position as a leading a thought leader
-    Promoting MTN position as a leading operator in a bold new digital world
-    Constantly changing economic, regulatory and legal environments with ever increasing challenges in domestic markets in MTN’s ecosystem
-    The geographic complexity of MTN’s foot print across Africa and the Middle East

Values (Our Culture)
We at MTN are a purpose and value-led organization. At MTN, we believe that understanding our people’s needs and aspirations is key to creating experiences that delight you at work, everyday. We are committed to fostering an environment where every member of our Y’ello Family is heard, understood and empowered to live an inspired life. 
Our values keep us grounded and moving in the right direction. Most importantly, they keep us honest. It is not something we claim to be. It is in our DNA.
As an organisation, we consider it our mission to create an exciting and rewarding place to work, where our people can be themselves, thrive in positivity and ignite their full potential. A workplace that boosts creativity and innovation, improves productivity, and ultimately drives meaningful results. A workplace that is built on relationships and achieving a purpose that is bigger than us. 
Our commitments go beyond an organisational promise. It is in our leadership and managerial ethos to meaningfully partner with our employees, customers and stakeholders with a vision to realise our shared goals.

Live Y’ello
-    Lead with Care
-    Can-do with Integrity
-    Collaborate with Agility
-    Serve with Respect
-    Act with Inclusion
 

The Senior Manager: Public Policy & Research will be accountable to achieve the following objectives:
-    Drive the development and Implement Public Policy plans and strategies to strengthen the corporate image and reputation of MTN Group as a thought leader, breakthrough innovator, and a trusted partner
-    Assisting in the formulation and implementation of MTN Group’s public policy and regulatory affairs strategy.
-    Providing a political perspective to help develop thought leadership, engagement on public policy issues and to inform policy & regulatory briefings 
-    Developing new ideas for the policy & regulatory engagement strategy
-    Maintain deep understanding of current issues in the environment affecting MTN Group and its brand;
-    Implement public affairs strategies that inform and shape belief, action, behaviour and advocacy to shape the external environment;
-    Position MTN on the relevant specific policy issues; build public policy capabilities within the OpCos and PlatformCos;
-    Proactively engage, inform and influence key external stakeholders: issues important to MTN Group and its operations;
-    Develop relationships with key external stakeholders, including major trade associations; 
-    Assess opportunities and organize proactive participation of company leadership in key events and forums
-    Provide operational support on regulatory matters to the different Opco’s
-    Proactive management of public policy issues affective the company;
-    Support Opcos and PlatformCos in the fulfilment of their public policy and regulatory responsibilities;
-    Building relationships with policy makers and other relevant key stakeholders (e.g.  government departments, regulatory bodies and agencies) in support of the group’s public policy and regulatory agenda (Stakeholder & Reputation Management);
-    Managing Group membership of Industry associations dealing with Public Policy and Research;
-    Developing and maintaining a structured research and analysis capability on pertinent regulatory issues affecting the business
-    Provide strategic input on legal regulatory and external affairs issues at group leadership level
-    Provide strategic support as requested or required on public policy and regulatory matters to the Group Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer.
-    Provide relevant public policy and regulatory input to Strategy and Business Development function on mergers, acquisitions and new business prospects.
-    Prepare board papers, strategies, plans and proposals for board / executive committee review.
-    Lead policy frameworks for platform-based business models and ecosystem partnerships 
-    Shape regulatory positions on digital market competition, platform neutrality, and interoperability
-    Provide thought leadership on financial inclusion and digital financial services policy
-    Lead MTN positioning on data governance, localisation, and cross-border data policies 
-    Develop policy viewpoints on AI regulation, responsible AI, and algorithmic governance 
-    Support compliance and advocacy on data monetisation and digital identity frameworks
-    Shape policy positions on ESG, sustainability, and digital inclusion 
-    Engage regulators on green telecoms, energy resilience, and climate frameworks 
-    Support MTN’s positioning as a responsible digital operator
-    Partner with Fintech, Digital, and Network teams to embed policy into product design
-    Shape MTN’s regulatory position on cybersecurity, resilience, and digital trust 
-    Engage on national security, lawful interception, and data access laws
-    Build future-fit regulatory capability (AI, fintech, digital ecosystems) across OpCos

Key Deliverables
Supporting the thought leadership agenda of MTN regarding regulatory matters which will include:
-    Responsibility for presenting feasible strategic options and recommendations to be adopted for requisite strategy and public policy positions at Group and Opco levels
-    Using research and various perspectives on regulatory issues to provide international, domestic and cross-industry regulatory benchmarking
-    Accountable for driving external regulatory benchmarking research and exercises for MTN Group and Opcos to ensure that regulatory perspectives are aligned to global industry standards and best practices
-    Using insight and analysis to provide recommendations for best practices to support regulatory strategy, positions and plans
Providing strategic guidance for Group Legal & Regulatory function by:
-    Preparing MTN’s position papers and guidance documents on key industry issues 
-    Researching and preparing insights, reviews and materials relating to policy, regulatory and legislative developments at Opco levels including the requisite analyses
-    Being accountable for identifying policy, regulatory and legislative risks that could impact regulatory strategy and issues from across the MTN ecosystem and making recommendations for the mitigation of such risks
-    Supporting the development and strengthening of strategic relationships with government officials and third-party organizations, and educating and helping to shape strategic policy outcomes of importance to MTN’s customers
-    Monitoring policy and regulation developments issues related to key topics to advise on actions or necessary reactionary preparations
-    Operationalising the strategies across the Group
-    Supporting the requisite capacity building across the Group

Education:

Degree (preferably in Law and public policy)
MPA or other related Masters qualification will be advantageous
Relevant certification / accreditation / membership with professional body as required for role  

Experience:

Minimum of 8 years working experience to include
Minimum 5 years’ experience in a regulatory affairs function/activity preferably in a Telecoms / Digital  environment
3 years management track record 

3 years relevant sector / industry/ area of specialisation - Public Policy, Regulatory Affairs etc.  
Worked across diverse cultures and geographies advantageous
Experience working in a medium to large organization