Policy & Advocacy Director (Nigeria) at Women’s World Banking

POSITION OVERVIEW

Role Title: Policy & Advocacy Director, Africa

Reporting to: Regional Head, Africa

Classification: Full-time

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Start Date: Immediate

Summary:

Women’s World Banking is looking for a talented Policy and Advocacy Manager to lead our government engagement and policy influence work for Africa. The role will be based in Lagos with a primary focus on Nigeria and a secondary focus on Egypt and other select markets in Africa. The Policy and Advocacy Director/Manager will join a small yet forward thinking, high-performing and collaborative team focused on delivering innovative customer experiences, banking services and products that create business and customer value for low-income women.

This position operates within the Africa regional structure, reporting to the Regional Head, based in South Africa. The role also requires close collaboration with the Director of Policy and Advocacy, based in the United Kingdom.

The ideal candidate will have a successful record of operations within the financial services or technology sectors with a sector expertise of government engagement and policy influence using research-based evidence. You will also understand and be able to manage influence on a broader scale, with relations in trade associations, chambers of commerce and the media. You will be passionate about women’s economic empowerment and eager to serve as a thought leader in the financial inclusion community. We are looking for assertive and self-motivated people who are eager to seek out opportunities and co-create with colleagues across the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Stakeholder Management and Thought Leadership
  • Complete market stakeholder maps identifying key policy makers, environment, points of view, relevant messages and engagement approaches
  • Identify and establish relationships with the Central Bank of Nigeria, other policy makers and regulators, industry leaders, trade associations, key media and other influencers, in line with country/regional strategy
  • Participate in regional conversations on financial inclusion and economic empowerment, highlighting the gender perspective
  • Working with the research team to synthesize research findings to identify opportunities for different stakeholders to take defined action to advance women’s financial inclusion
  • Present information, both internally and externally, in a clear and organized way. Outputs may include webinars, panels at conferences, executive-level briefings, internal presentations, and more.
• Policy Influence
  • Working with the Director of Policy and Advocacy, define Women’s World Banking’s policy position for key markets in Africa
  • Identify opportunities for evidence-based policy influence within policymaking institutions
  • Facilitate development of women-centered policy design by policy makers and regulators
  • Manage policy interactions to ensure we are reaching policymakers, with the right messaging, in a systematic and strategic manner such as through national Communities of Practice and our Leadership & Diversity for Regulators programme, to drive action.
  • Engage relevant policymakers and local stakeholders in meetings, events and seminars through media and regional forums
  • Create policy papers and positions on important regional topics using data-driven insights

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate or Master’s degree in a relevant discipline
• 10+ years of work experience in work related to financial services, policy, public affairs and/or advocacy, women’s empowerment, or non-profit, with deep Nigeria expertise and working knowledge of policy landscapes across Africa
• Intellectual curiosity and creative problem-solving in research
• Successful track record working within a diverse, multi-cultural global organization, collaborating with remote colleagues, and delivering high quality work with minimal supervision
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Ability to travel within Africa, around the region, and occasionally to Europe and the U.S.

Within the first 75 days:

• Assume full responsibilities of the position
• Embrace Women’s World Banking’s values – Think Big, Own and Commit to It, Smarter Together
• Learn and comprehend Women’s World Banking’s business model
• Fully integrate into the Africa team

We offer comprehensive benefits including

• Competitive salary & top tier benefits
• 15+ paid time off days in addition to paid sick days and holidays
• Company closes for two paid Mental Health and Rejuvenation Weeks per year (July & December)
• 401(k) with employer match / pension contributions where applicable
• Company paid professional development opportunities
• Flexible work options available, including work from home options (outside of fieldwork)