Position Summary
This position is tasked with advancing Visa’s regulatory and policy goals by cultivating strategic relationships with critical government representatives, policymakers, public opinion leaders, and regulatory bodies across anglophone West Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.
Oversee and execute core duties encompassing strategic planning and operational oversight, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Develop and implement policies, procedures, and best practices to enhance efficiency and productivity across departments. Monitor performance metrics and key indicators to assess progress, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective measures as necessary. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to foster innovation and drive continuous growth. Provide leadership and mentorship to staff, cultivating a high-performance culture and ensuring professional development opportunities. Manage budgets, allocate resources, and optimize expenditures to maximize return on investment while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Serve as a primary liaison with stakeholders, maintaining strong relationships and ensuring transparent communication. Ensure compliance with industry regulations, corporate policies, and ethical standards to mitigate risks and uphold organizational integrity.
Formulate and implement a West African Government Affairs strategy, establishing distinct objectives, timelines, and actionable steps that align with Visa’s global policy directives and regional priorities.
Oversee operational functions encompassing budget management, reporting, and the punctual production of high-quality position papers, policy briefs, analyses, and engagement strategies.
Develop and implement strategic policies that are fully aligned with organizational objectives, while offering expert counsel to foster market expansion and drive innovation.
Monitor legislation, regulations, and policies to shape outcomes in alignment with Visa’s strategic interests, advocating for advantageous conditions that support organizational objectives.
Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with governmental agencies, industry associations, non-governmental organizations, and multilateral institutions. Act as Visa’s official representative in high-level forums to influence and formulate payment policy initiatives.
Improve advocacy initiatives, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and enhance regulatory tracking efforts by applying proven best practices while continuously optimizing workflows for maximum efficiency and measurable outcomes.
Elevate internal understanding of Government Affairs by delivering training sessions, conducting informative briefings, and distributing timely updates.
Demonstrates proficiency in strategic planning, financial acumen, and effective stakeholder management. Exhibits strong leadership abilities, project management expertise, and adept problem-solving skills to drive organizational success. Requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in a leadership role, preferably within [industry/sector]. Possesses excellent communication and negotiation capabilities, along with the capacity to foster collaborative relationships across diverse teams. Must meet educational qualifications such as a [degree/certification] and maintain a track record of delivering measurable results. Familiarity with industry-specific tools, technologies, or methodologies is advantageous. Emphasizes accountability, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous professional development.
Proficiency in the digital payments sector, along with a comprehensive grasp of its economic and societal implications, is essential.
Excellent proficiency in evaluating, understanding, and forecasting regulatory and policy developments that influence digital payments and fintech environments.
Demonstrated success in formulating and executing comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategies.
Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of Nigeria’s business and political landscapes.
Possesses robust political and business insight, coupled with a keen understanding of strategic decision-making and market dynamics. Demonstrates exceptional capability to navigate complex political landscapes while leveraging business expertise to drive organizational success.
Demonstrates a capacity for originality, ingenuity, and forward-thinking approaches to problem-solving and idea development.
Strong proficiency in both verbal and written communication is required.
Skilled in financial oversight, with a strong background in budgeting and fiscal stewardship. Experience includes meticulous planning, allocation, and monitoring of financial resources to ensure organizational efficiency and sustainability.
Must demonstrate resilience and composure in high-pressure environments, maintaining performance and focus amidst tight deadlines and demanding circumstances.
Highly driven, proactive professional capable of thriving both autonomously and collaboratively within a team environment, requiring only minimal oversight.
Proven ability to work effectively in team-oriented environments and collaborate seamlessly across various departments and functions.
Possesses a solid foundation in computer skills, including proficiency in common software applications, internet navigation, and basic troubleshooting, with the ability to adapt to new technological tools as needed.
Job Scope
Revised:
This position reports directly to the Senior Director and Head of Government Affairs for Western and Central Africa.
Collaborates extensively with colleagues across country teams, CEMEA hub-level departments, and global functions, including those in Country Management, Corporate Communications, Legal, Marketing, Strategy, Risk Management, Social Impact, and Product teams.
Works collaboratively with Government Affairs colleagues across global offices to establish and enhance standardized best practices.
Positions serve as authoritative advisors to cross-divisional business teams on policy matters, regulatory frameworks, and government relations, providing specialized expertise and guidance.
The position requires regular travel throughout English-speaking West Africa.
This role is designed as a hybrid position, with the specific in-office schedule to be determined in consultation with your designated Hiring Manager.
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline is required for this position. Minimum of three years of professional experience in a similar role is mandatory, with a proven track record in project management or technical leadership. Proficiency in industry-standard software tools and methodologies is expected, along with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Excellent communication and teamwork skills are essential to collaborate effectively across departments. Familiarity with regulatory compliance and quality assurance standards is a plus. The ideal candidate will demonstrate adaptability, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous professional development.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is required, along with a minimum of three years of professional experience in software development or a closely related area. Proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++ is essential, along with experience using frameworks like Spring, Django, or .NET. Strong problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills, and a collaborative mindset are also necessary. Familiarity with databases, version control systems, and cloud platforms like AWS or Azure is preferred.
A minimum of 10 years of professional experience is required, along with a Bachelor’s degree, or alternatively, at least 7 years of experience with an advanced degree such as a Master’s, MBA, JD, or MD, or 3 years of experience with a PhD.
Preferred qualifications include three or more years of experience in a customer service role, a strong understanding of CRM software systems, and familiarity with data entry and administrative tasks. Candidates should possess excellent communication abilities, both written and verbal, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel. A self-motivated individual with exceptional organizational skills and the capacity to work independently is highly desirable, as is the ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment. Experience in a leadership or mentoring capacity is a plus.
Seeking candidates with at least 12 years of pertinent professional experience and a Bachelor’s degree, or alternatively, 9+ years with an advanced degree, or 5+ years with a PhD.
A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in Public Policy, International Relations, Law, or related disciplines is required.
10 to 12 years of hands-on experience in government relations, regulatory affairs, or public policy functions is required.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , PhD/Fellowship
Experience Required
10 years
