Director - Government Engagement - West Africa Job at Visa Incorporated, 11th June, 2019

⏲ Jun 11, 2019, 6:25 PM
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Visa operates the world's largest retail electronic payments network and is one of the most recognized global financial services brands. Visa facilitates global commerce through the transfer of value and information among financial institutions, merchants, consumers, businesses and government entities. We offer a range of branded payment product platforms, which our financial institution clients use to develop and offer credit, charge, debit, prepaid and cash access programs to cardholders. Visa's card platforms provide consumers, businesses, merchants and government entities with a secure, convenient and reliable way to pay and be paid in over 200 countries and territories. We are recruiting to fill the vacant position below: Job Title: Director - Government Engagement - West Africa Location: Lagos, Nigeria Job Type: Full-time Job Scope

Reports to Senior Director, Government Engagement SSA
Works very closely with Country, Group-level, and Global colleagues including Country Management, Business Development, Merchant Sales and Solutions, Risk, Compliance, Client Services, Corporate Social Impact, Legal, Marketing, Strategy, and Product groups
Liaises closely with functional colleagues in the region and around the world to develop and refine best practices
Works with cross-divisional business teams as subject matter expert on regulatory issues and government relations.

Job Description

This dynamic position, to be based in Visa’s Lagos office, requires a proactive, solution oriented, articulate, strategic thinker, who is able to operate and interact at the highest levels of Government
The function involves frequent travel within the west Africa region and sometimes to other international destinations.

Position Summary The position will be responsible for managing all Visa interactions with financial sector regulators and key government officials in West Africa to ensure the following:

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 the West African region is consistent with similar efforts in other key SSA markets.
Visa is well positioned to take advantage of potential partnerships with national government agencies particularly in the areas of financial inclusion, payments digitization, including 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;

Key Responsibilities for the Position

Identify opportunities and support business development programmes and initiatives
Manage day to day Government Engagement operations and represent Visa at relevant forums in the various regional markets
Ensure optimization of meeting targets and GE objectives by introducing best practice
Build and maintain internal relationships and enhance an understanding of the function within the company.
Develop and implement an effective Government Engagement 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 Engagement 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 West African countries in order to make timely interventions to protect Visa’s commercial interests

Key Competencies:

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 French may be an added advantage.
General understanding of the functioning of the electronic payments industry
Proven track record and minimum of 5-7 year experience in all aspects of developing and implementing stakeholder relations strategies
In-depth knowledge of the local business and political environments in West Africa
Political acumen
Ability to balance commercial interests and social benefits
Ability to think creatively and innovatively
Strong verbal and written communication skills