Public Affairs Manager at Nestle

Position Summary

• The main purpose of the role is to primarily leverage the Creating Shared Value business principle as a strategic tool to position and build Nestlé ’s Eastern and Southern African region’s reputation in the minds of key stakeholders in the market. To build and leverage partnerships to maintain positive relationships with governments and their agencies.
• To develop and implement strategies to navigate complex regulatory environments, advancing the company agenda through advocacy and to contribute towards building a positive image of the Public Affairs unit as a strategic advisor to the business.

A day in the life of a Public Affairs Manager:

Integrated Public Affairs Strategy and Plans:

• Develop and execute a meaningful and robust Public Affairs strategy to create and maintain a favorable public image of the organization and develop annual corporate CSV communication plan in alignment with relevant departments in the organization. This plan should incorporate the planning and implementation of key programmes in line with the global strategy including the environmental sustainability programmes in line with market sustainability plans.    

Business Continuity:

• Monitor the ESAR Region’s political, social, environmental and cultural landscape to mitigate any potential operational and reputational risks.                            

Partnerships and Stakeholder Management:

• Build relationships with local governments, NGO's, policy makers and other key stakeholders to advance the company’s commitments towards Nutrition Health & Wellness (NHW) ESG and sustainability                     

Government Relations & Advocacy:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with policy makers and industry associations to monitor and influence legislative and regulatory developments that may impact the business.
• Support the internal teams (Legal, Compliance and Regulatory Affairs) on public policy matters emerging in the Eastern Southern African Region and helping to shape strategic and actionable plans in line with respective governments regulations and policy frameworks through advocacy.                                                    

What will make you successful

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, Business or related field.
• 5 years’ experience in managing public policy and/or government relations, advocacy work and public private sector partnerships.
• Ability to build and maintain strong internal and external relationships.
• Courage to put position forward and defend it.
• High integrity and trustworthiness.
• Strong ambassadorial skills.
• Strong convictions equaled by the ability to listen to different views.                                        
• Stakeholder engagement and great collaborative skills.                                                                                            
• Ability to sell ideas and vision.                                                                                       
• Innovative and great creative thinking.