Reports To: Corporate Affairs Manager, Tullow Ghana

Job Purpose:

The purpose of the Public Affairs role is to support the Business Unit’s General Manager and Corporate Affairs Manager, in building and maintaining government and broader political relationships, managing political risk and issues of public policy which could impact the viability of Tullow’s interests in Ghana.

The role holder will consult with the Tullow Ghana leadership team and functional leaders to understand business priorities and ensure Tullow’s operations and business development agenda takes account of the political context.   In addition, he/she will interface closely with the EHS, Asset Protection, HR, Supply Chain Management, Legal and Commercial departments to ensure that issues associated with legislative, regulatory and policy issues are appropriately managed with key stakeholder groups.

Objectives:

•   Ensure that Tullow Ghana’s business decision making takes full account of the agendas of affected national, regional and district level stakeholders (Government and its representatives, Traditional authorities etc) and developing international trends / issues of relevance.
•   Ensure that a comprehensive Political Risk and Policy Risk Management Frameworks are developed and implemented in accordance with Group requirements.
•   Identify and evaluate potential stakeholders and their agendas across the political spectrum, business community and other policy stakeholders to ensure that engagement strategies are fit for purpose.

Key Responsibilities  

•   Ensure that the Tullow Ghana risk register includes appropriate reflection of potential political and policy risks (both emerging issues and those known) to the business.
•   Maintain a Political Risk and Policy risk Management Plans for Tullow Ghana, that identify and assess risks, defines actions and accountabilities and tracks implementation.
•   Build and maintain a map of government, regulatory, political and business stakeholders who are relevant to the success of Tullow’s business to inform engagement and advocacy strategies.
•   Identify and engage with internal stakeholders to inform them of local policy developments, determine the level of impact on the business and solicit input on mitigation strategies.
•   Develop and execute strategy for engagement with National government representatives (ie. agencies, Parliamentarians etc) and other key stakeholders (Think Tanks, NGOs etc) to support delivery of agreed objectives.  Develop tactical plans to reduce exposure to political risk & influence Tullow Ghana’s stakeholders on policy issues.
•   Determine the most effective communication mix/messages and appropriate timing and delivery for different influencer groups.  Support the Corporate Affairs Manager and Tullow senior management in stakeholder engagement activities (including co-ordination of in-country government liaison and supporting briefs).
•   With support from the relevant functional heads, develop and implement advocacy strategies, positions and responses as appropriate to support and protect Tullow strategic interests in Ghana, including development of the most effective communication mix/messages and appropriate timing and delivery for different influencer groups.
•   Engage regularly with the Group Policy team to brief on emerging Business Unit policy issues and trends, their potential impact on the company, developed positions, responses and advocacy strategies to manage these.
•   Assess the likely impact of Group policy issues on Tullow Ghana (issues may include international standards designed to establish best practice for investing companies - e.g. corporate conduct, transparency, human rights - or international energy policies/emerging policy trends etc).
•   Engage internally to ensure that the Business Unit can provide input to/adopt Group policy position, and where necessary develop responses and advocacy strategies to manage any potential impact on the business in Ghana.
•   Provide regular reporting on political risk and policy issues to in-country and regional management in line with agreed criteria.
•   Engage regularly with the Group Policy team to brief on emerging Business Unit policy issues and risks, their potential impact on Tullow, and develop positions, responses and advocacy strategies to manage these.
•   Input into regional geopolitical assessments as requested.

Qualification Required & Experience
    
Minimum Requirements

•   Masters degree from a leading university in Business, International Development, Public Policy or related field. An international MBA would be an added advantage.
•   Minimum of 5 years’ international experience in one or a combination of the following:
1)   economics/ international business policy or strategy development.
2)   government advocacy and/or external affairs work.
•   Track record of government advocacy and/or external affairs work.
•   Experience in one or more of the following sectors: extractives industries, regulated environment, financial services, multinational development or financial institutions, multinational companies, strategic management consulting company leading initiatives in social and economic development.
•   Strong track record in building successful relationships and securing alignment between multiple stakeholders.
•   Understanding and appreciation of corporate reputation issues affecting the extractive industries, including an ability to build a holistic picture of the key factors as they affect individual operating companies.
•   Understanding of the UN Global Compact, Voluntary Principles, IFC Performance Standards, EITI and Equator Principles would be beneficial.
•   A good understanding of the political culture and government decision-making processes in Ghana and the West Africa Region.
•   Politically non-partisan with significant contacts with key stakeholders in Ghana, including in government, business and media, and strong networking skills. Familiar with and sensitive to Ghanaian customs and practices.

Other Useful Experience

•   Clear understanding of key stakeholder groups in the oil & gas industry and how these groups interface with related issues.

Skills:

•   Understanding of national and global geo-political and socio-political trends.
•   Ability to monitor the external business environment for relevant public policy issues.
•   Advising upwards to inform strategic decision-making.
•   Engaging across the business to identify and quantify impacts of policy developments.
•   Establishing linkages with corporate policy developments.
•   Coordinating internal input to official position/messaging.
•   Developing advocacy strategies.
•   Strong interpersonal and influencing skills.
•   Able to operate at senior levels in-country and build strong links with corporate functions.
•   Ability to translate complex information into strong, easily delivered messages, including the ability to influence, inspire confidence and build trust at all levels and across cultures.

Skills:

•   Ability to design mitigations for non-technical risks and identify opportunities which fit with Tullow’s wider business strategies.
•   When a solution has been designed and an opportunity has been identified, has the ability to develop and deliver a detailed and feasible project plan while also managing expectations and referring upwards if circumstances change.
•   Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English and ?language.
•   Speaks and writes clearly, listens respectfully, and conveys messages effectively, adjusting them to suit the intended audience. Ensures messages are correct and consistent with other communications from Tullow.
•   Ability to translate complex information into strong, easily delivered messages, including the ability to influence, inspire confidence and build trust at all levels.
•   Ability to manage external consultants / advisors (as appropriate) to support key deliverables and build capacity.

Business Behaviours:

•   Politically non-partisan.
•   Demonstrates a high level of integrity and able to maintain strict confidentiality.
•   Collaborative with heightened communications and related interpersonal skills.
•   Participates in proactive team efforts to achieve departmental/business goals.
•   Self motivated and uses initiative and judgment to attain the best results.
•   Builds and maintains networks of contacts within target audiences.
•   Gathers, interprets, and passes on information about those audiences.
•   Demonstrates a personal commitment to Health, Safety and the Environment.
•   Actively supports and demonstrates Tullow values.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Interested and qualified candidates should

Click Here To Apply Online

Closing Date: 14 December, 2013

Our philosophy is to bring people into Tullow with whom we can build a strong, mutually beneficial and lasting relationship. We strive to recruit the best candidate for any position in Tullow and this goal is underpinned by our attractive market-based remuneration and employment policies