Job Description
Position Summary
The position will be responsible for managing all Visa interaction with key government officials and regulators in Nigeria and key West African markets to ensure the following:
• Visa is well positioned to take advantage of potential partnerships with national government agencies particularly in the areas of financial inclusion, electronification of payments, the delivery of social services, payment of taxes, and other potential government programs that may benefit from the application of electronic payments;
• The expansion of the industry in general, and Visa in particular, is not hindered by intrusive political or regulatory intervention;
• Visa’s profile and reputation are optimized through the delivery of coordinated communications and education targeted at key central bank officials, regulators, government officials, and other policy makers both directly and through appropriate surrogates; and
• Visa’s outreach and messaging in West Africa is consistent with similar efforts in other key markets around the world
Key responsibilities
• Develop and implement an effective Government Relations strategy for the area of responsibility
• Lead the development and building of stakeholder relationships with Government regulators, businesses and non-governmental organizations at all levels
• Ensure that Government Relations plans are aligned with Visa’s strategic business objectives
• Establish and maintain effective long term relations with Governments and other external stakeholders at the appropriate levels
• Monitor the regulatory and policy management environment in various African countries in order to make timely interventions to protect Visa’s commercial interests
• Identify opportunities and support business development programmes and initiatives
• Manage day to day Government Relations operations and represent Visa at relevant forums in various markets
• Ensure optimization of meeting targets and GR objectives by introducing best practice
• Build and maintain internal relationships and enhance an understanding of the function within
Qualifications
Key competencies
- General understanding of the functioning of the electronic payments industry
- Professionally qualified with Political Science Bachelor’s degree or related field to GR
- At least 5 years GR experience In-depth knowledge of the local business and political environments in West Africa
- Proven track record and experience in all aspects of developing and implementing stakeholder relations strategies
- Political acumen
- Ability to balance commercial interests and social benefits
- Ability to think creatively and innovatively
Strong verbal and written communication skills - Budgeting and financial management
- Ability to work under pressure and willingness to work long hours
- A motivated, self- starter who is able to work independently, within a team, and without daily supervision
- A team player, able to work across various Visa functions
- Computer literacy
- Fluency in English; a working knowledge of either French will be an added advantage
