Regulatory Affairs Manager

Our client is a leading player in the fast-paced FMCG sector, dedicated to ensuring a favorable operating environment where they can thrive. With a significant presence across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, they are committed to shaping legislative and regulatory developments to foster sustainable growth and maintain market competitiveness. They operate with a strong focus on responsible business practices and are aligned with global best practices.

Are you a strategic and influential leader passionate about navigating complex regulatory landscapes? Join our client as a Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs & Policy, and play a pivotal role in shaping their operational environment across East Africa. This is a unique opportunity to drive impactful change, influence policy, and safeguard the company's reputation and bottom line. You will be instrumental in developing and executing strategies that ensure compliance, mitigate risks, and facilitate market access in a dynamic and heavily regulated industry. If you thrive on tackling challenges, building strong stakeholder relationships, and contributing to the strategic direction of a prominent FMCG business, this role is for you.

Responsibilities:

Develop and implement targeted strategies to address specific regulatory challenges and analyze the economic impact of proposed policy changes in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, aligning with global best practices.

Provide a coordinated and integrated organizational approach to anticipate, analyze, and influence legislative and regulatory development and its impact on both business performance and reputation.

Offer guidance and support in the implementation and maintenance of strategies related to regulatory issues, trade, and tax policies to secure competitiveness.

Develop, implement, and monitor anti-counterfeit and anti-parallel business measures and strategies to facilitate market access and mitigate potential risks.

Manage the company's regulatory risk radar, providing early warning and visibility on key regulatory risks to the business.

Ensure early identification of regulatory business risks and align internal stakeholders to address them within the company's business plans.

Manage stakeholder engagements and foster strong relationships with key policy and regulatory stakeholders, representing the company in industry associations and advocating for favorable positions.

Implement best practice methods for issue-based lobbying, including defining company positions, counter-arguments, and stakeholder engagement plans.

Engage with government departments, regulators, industry bodies, and other external stakeholders to advocate on key regulatory issues.

Assist in influencing public policy to support business objectives and provide policy advocacy to regional business units on key issues.

Participate in regulatory forums, ensuring all prioritized regulatory issues are addressed and internal stakeholders are kept informed.

Requirements:

Must-Haves:

Academic Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Economics, Law, Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, or a related discipline.

Professional Qualifications: Member of the Law Society of Kenya.

Experience: At least 6 years of relevant experience, with a minimum of 2 years in a management role within Government, Alcohol, Tobacco, Pharmaceuticals, or another heavily regulated industry, an international institution, or FMCG.

Regulatory Understanding: A good understanding of economic, commercial, and political dynamics in the countries of operation.

Analytical Skills: Ability to undertake research and draft position papers, analyze the impact of regulatory change, and analyze data to make informed decisions.

Policy Knowledge: Knowledge of public policy issues and legislative and political processes.