Regional Public Policy Specialist, East & Southern Africa

About the role:

We are seeking a Regional Public Policy specialist to spearhead our government engagement across East & Southern Africa. This is a hands-on role at the intersection of public policy and business operations, building strong relationships with public sector offices and decision makers to ensure our markets are supported by enabling policies and operations.
The ideal candidate will bring 7–10 years of relevant experience in government relations, trade and industrial policy, or regulatory affairs. They should have strong familiarity with regional trade frameworks such as the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), and AfCFTA.

What you will be expected to do

• Manage government and policy engagement across East & Southern Africa, building strong relationships with ministries, regulators, customs, and local authorities.
• Advocate for policies that enable trade facilitation, tax/tariff reforms, and local manufacturing/assembly.
• Monitor and analyze regional policy developments (energy, trade, fiscal, and industrial policy), providing early intelligence to support the business.
• Support operations and sales teams by resolving regulatory and administrative barriers.
• Represent the company in government consultations, industry dialogues, and regional trade forums (EAC, SADC, AfCFTA).
• Develop and execute country-level policy engagement strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Draft policy briefs, position papers, and talking points for senior management.

You might be a strong candidate if you have/are

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in economics, public policy, law, international relations, or related field.
• 7–10 years’ experience in government relations, policy advocacy, or trade/investment policy.
• Familiarity with AfCFTA, EAC, and SADC frameworks is very key.
• Proven experience advocating for trade or fiscal incentives (e.g., tax exemptions, customs facilitation, pioneer status).
• Strong track record of engaging with senior policymakers and regulators in ESA.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and diplomacy skills.
• Ability to travel extensively within the region (around 50%).Fluency in English required; Portuguese and/or French is a an added advantage.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of renewable energy or consumer goods sectors.
• Familiarity with customs systems and industrial policy in ESA countries.
• Established networks with public officials in the region (including the the energy and finance ministries, as well as customs, revenue, and other relevant regulatory/oversight authorities).
• Political and cultural awareness across diverse ESA contexts.