The shifting geo-political and global economic environment has impacted on Africa, and MTN seeks to position itself as a leading Pan African brand. This requires intensified reputation management amidst some uncertainties and an increased competitive intensity across all markets in which MTN operates. The Group’s Sustainability & Corporate Affairs function under which this role falls must therefore ensure the successful delivery in the context of:
- An ever-changing public policy environment
- Rapidly changing ICT environment
- Complex and rapid evolution of technology and regulation
- Macro-social and political climate intricacies of our operating environment
- The geographic complexity of MTN’s footprint across Africa and the Middle East
- Need to balance the needs of various stakeholder groups against each other
- Importance of getting to know and understand stakeholder expectations and issues and in fully responding
- Interdependencies between public and private sector
- Issues – such as trust, stakeholder relationships and perceptions of the difference a company make in country - are turning into hard metrics with consequence
- Need to continuously innovate the way business is conducted
- Dynamic and fast changing organisational requirement
- Growing pressure from stakeholders for disclosure and transparency
The Senior Manager: Stakeholder Management will, contribute to the positioning of MTN as a trusted partner of choice in the markets and on platforms, through driving reputation, building relationships, and managing issues, whilst being accountable to achieve the following objectives:
Coordinating the Nation States Agenda
- Advisory support in the implementation of group-wide Nation State strategy and actively participating in the markets and platform business relevant stakeholder forums in the markets and across Africa.
- Support in development and implementation of Group’s host nation strategies, policies, and procedures aligned with values of the nation’s in which we operate.
- Support in the engagements with operating companies, business divisions and functional areas to build an environmental scanning system for the early detection and management of stakeholder issues.
- Support in the monitoring and remaining abreast of developments in the political landscape that my impact MTN business, especially in relation to stakeholder management across the different stakeholder categories for MTN’s group of companies and platform businesses.
- Supporting in implementation of programme to clarify the minimum requirements for planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of stakeholder engagement training the leadership and key conduits (stakeholder category and relationship owners) in best practice stakeholder management.
- Support in the process of ensuring compliance with Group Stakeholder Management Policy across MTN’s footprint.
- Support in ensuring regular reporting on stakeholder issues, relationships, and management thereof to the MTN leadership, as well as to stakeholders in the interest of transparency and building trust reflecting MTN’s markets and platform businesses.
- Support the development of metrics to assess the impact of the stakeholder management function
Facilitating for the forging of alliances
- Manage and influence relationships with key stakeholders as prioritised in the Group’s reputation and stakeholder management framework to ensure sustainable collaborations and strengthen MTN’s networking capacity.
- Increase the MTN profile by contributing and leading transformational discussions at multiple levels through, amongst others, economic diplomacy
- Drive and coordinate a group wide engagement, and resource mobilisation efforts at bilateral and multilateral platforms such as investment promotion Summits, industry bodies and others
- Support in remaining abreast of global developments in cooperation between the Private Sector, Public Sector and Civil Society and plan for MTN’s leadership to be represented adequately in the multilateral engagement.
Contribute to de-risking operations
- Supporting the General Manager: Stakeholder Management in working with Business Risk Management to identify, quantify and track political trends and developments that could pose long-term risk to MTN’s strategy execution
- Support in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) efforts through annual Reputation Index Survey of stakeholder relationship health, stakeholder trust, and stakeholder perceptions of MTN’s performance on reputation drivers and its overall reputation across MTN markets.
- Support in organising and attending Group level stakeholder meetings with technical team members and ensure feedback of stakeholder responses.
- Contribute to the coordination and implementation of decisions of market and functional interlocks
- Support in the periodical update of the MTN Group Reputation and Stakeholder Management Framework as applicable . This includes support to regular reviews of the Group Stakeholder Management Policy, annual review of the Group Reputation and Stakeholder Management Strategy and support to ongoing capacity building across all business operations to embed the strategy and policy.
Role Dependencies
- Active support to Group General Manager: Stakeholder Management and Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer
- Deep understanding of the MTN business strategy
- Understanding of geopolitical environment and Africa’s development priorities
- Alignment of OpCo and Group strategy initiatives
- Capacity to influence and collaborate
- Timely decision making and rapid response
Education:
- Minimum 4-year degree in International Relations, Political Studies, Diplomacy, or related field.
- Postgraduate degree (MBA Adventageous)
- Relevant certification / accreditation / membership with professional body as required for role
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years senior management experience or more
- Relevant sector/industry/area of specialisation (understanding emerging markets advantageous)
- Experience working in a medium to large organization
- Demonstrable experience of working in 3 or more countries in Africa and the Middle East
- Stakeholder management development and implementation experience
Competencies:
- Business acumen to understand business risk and challenges, and recognise corporate opportunities
- Excellent programme/ project management and communication skills
- Strategy Formulator, Decisive Problem Solver, Innovative Value Creator
- Culture and Change Champion, Inspiring People Leader, Relationship Builder
- Results Achiever, Operationally Astute
Other:
- Regional and international travel may be required
- Fluent in English. Ability to communicate in French and other African languages would be advantageous
- Understanding and knowledge of applicable legislation and regulations
We are a purpose and value-led organization.
At MTN, we believe that understanding our people’s needs and aspirations is key to creating experiences that delight you at work, everyday. We are committed to fostering an environment where every member of our Y’ello Family is heard, understood and empowered to live an inspired life.
Our values keep us grounded and moving in the right direction. Most importantly, they keep us honest. It is not something we claim to be. It is in our DNA.
As an organisation, we consider it our mission to create an exciting and rewarding place to work, where our people can be themselves, thrive in positivity and ignite their full potential. A workplace that boosts creativity and innovation, improves productivity, and ultimately drives meaningful results. A workplace that is built on relationships and achieving a purpose that is bigger than us. This is what we want you to experience with us!
Our commitments go beyond an organisational promise. It is in our leadership and managerial ethos to meaningfully partner with our employees, customers and stakeholders with a vision to realise our shared goals.
We are delighted that you are considering us as your career partner to make a mark in the world. We look forward to your application!