The Manager Regulatory & Corporate Affairs is responsible for managing and maintaining all aspects of regulatory compliance, public policy and corporate affairs of the OpCo. The role is required to extensively liaise with external parties, regulators, industry bodies to ensure that all regulatory requirements, corporate governance requirements and OpCo brand building activities are as per group guidelines and there are no issues of non-compliance.

The role leads a lean team of specialist supporting Regulatory & public policy activities

The Manager Regulatory & Corporate Affairs reports to Head Legal & Regulatory Affairs and is supported by a specialist. The role maintains liaison with Group Fintech Legal & Regulatory team ,MTN Group  Legal, Regulatory & Corporate Affairs team and GSM Opco Legal & Regulatory Team   as and when required

Main Job Functions:

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Abide by the strategy cascaded by functional lead and assist in the creation of the sub-functional strategy
• Ensure effective implementation of the functional strategy
• Assist in review of the sub-functional strategy and roadmap, to ensure its alignment with the changing dynamics of the internal and external ecosystem

Staff Leadership and Management

• Source, induct and manage talent in accordance with legislative guidelines and directives from the Head Legal & Regulatory Affairs
• Continually develop a culture of strong collaboration and effective team working
• Ensure open communication channels with staff and implement change management interventions when required, and under supervision from the Head Legal & Regulatory Affairs
• Provide definition of roles, responsibilities, individual goals and performance objectives for the team
• Set KPIs and provide regular performance feedback through a well-defined and implemented performance review program
• Assist in the development and implementation of a training plan in order to build and develop skills within the team
• Performance manage resources in accordance with HR policy and legislation where necessary
• Promote a ‘Fintech centric’ and ‘partnership approach’ to develop strong relationships with other working groups and ensure adherence to Group governance

Governance

Strategic Meetings

• Participate in strategic meetings
• Support function wide transformation initiatives. Elicit inputs from relevant parties, when required
• Implement adequate risk mitigation and controls, with directions from the Head Legal & Regulatory Affairs
• Perform evaluation baseline of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and KPIs
• Manage approval process from Head Legal & Regulatory Affairs on new initiatives
• Work with approved budget for internal projects, under direction from the Head Legal & Regulatory Affairs. Where required, also provide input
• Facilitate preparation of proposal on change initiatives SLA, policies and procedures

Escalations

• Escalate issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity, and cost or resource impact to Head Legal & Regulatory Affairs
• Manage and provide solutions to escalations that have multiple processes / functions impact on critical path of service delivery, keeping Head Legal & Regulatory Affairs apprised of the same

Function Tactical

• Provide inputs, when required, and execute all projects initiated in the function
• Assist in establishing objectives, targets and budgets for the function
• Identify and document key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions, with guidance from the Head Legal & Regulatory Affairs
• Prepare documentation for sign-off / making decisions regarding tactical changes; apprise Head Legal & Regulatory Affairs of changes made without approval

Performance

• Monitor performance and alignment with OpCo as well as group strategy
• SLA approval and exception performance review

Reporting

• Report on a daily basis to the Head Legal & Regulatory Affairs relating to progress made within the function and in accordance with the measurement metrics set by the organisation
• Report on an ad hoc basis on specific projects, as required

Budgets

• Manage function’s budgets in line with business objectives
• Manage project initiative budgets in line with business objectives
• Ensure that the cost of operations are reduced, in line with a least cost operating strategy stemming from the business drivers

Operational Delivery                           

Sub-Functional Leadership:

As the sub-functional leader of the Regulatory & Corporate Affairs vertical, the role is accountable to:

• Align the results of the vertical, collectively and as individual work areas in the OpCo, ensuring that the Group guidelines are duly complied with
• Measure the impact and benefit of the sub-function to OpCo and report the true-value metrics. Drive continuous improvement across all verticals

Delivery Leadership:

As the delivery leader of the Regulatory & Affairs vertical, the role is accountable for the following work area outcomes:

Strategy & Analytics, Budgeting, Data and Reporting

• Implement and execute policies, procedures and guidelines cascaded by the functional lead and ensure the team complies with the same
• Implement regulatory strategy for all regulatory related submissions, license compliance and product approvals (in alignment with Group ManCo where applicable)
• Comply with the set governance mechanisms, under supervision from the functional lead and ensure team does the same
• Cascade the Group Fintech budget, analytics and reporting framework in the sub-function, under direction from the Head Ethics, Risk & compliance
• Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory & corporate affairs strategies and propose and offer suggestions for improvements

Regulatory & Corporate Affairs Operations

• Monitor consistent compliance with all regulatory requirements
• Ensure implementation, compliance & adherence to standards, processes & guidelines defined by Group Fintech Legal & Regulatory team ,MTN Group  Legal, team as applicable
• Provide counsel, training and interpretation of laws corresponding to regulatory policy directives
• Serve as secondary contact with regulators, planning and executing successful regulatory agency meetings and engagements
• Assist Head Legal & Regulatory affairs in setting strategy for all regulatory submissions, license compliance and product approvals, inclusive manage the preparation, review and completion of documents for regulatory submission
• Periodically report to management status of regulatory compliance of the OpCo
• Build and leverage network in the external regulatory environment
• Provide input in Company strategies for ensuring future compliance and mitigation of risk i.e. Material legislations, fines and reporting requirements for various regulators like banks UCC, FIA etc
• Provide legal support into Regulatory policies/regulations, legislative framework and future impact of new Regulatory policies and legislation – with a specific focus on compliance
• Closely monitor the impact of potential changes driven by the local regulators, industry, marketplace, and/or legal environment and report these back to Head to ensure company alignment
• Be upto date on all relevant compliance and regulatory requirements within the local Telecommunications and Mobile Financial Services Industry and ensure the company complies
• Ensure training to all staff on legislative requirements and appropriate compliance methodologies
• Supervise production of monthly Regulatory requirements and Compliance reports for Management
• Oversee analysis of government regulatory environment to craft and effectively deliver a coordinated advocacy strategy and catalyze sustainable growth for the business
• Monitor potential regulatory threats and business opportunities, develop mitigation or enhancement strategies and policy positions, and coordinate external advocacy and outreach programs and key initiatives
• Monitor policy and regulation movement on issues related to key topics to advise on actions or necessary reactionary preparations
• Facilitate compliance with the license and regulatory obligations that may be promulgated within the financial sector and banking industry from time-to-time
• Work collaboratively and transparently with the business units to ensure alignment between public policy goals and core business objectives
• Advance the company’s policy positions directly and through industry associations
• Coordinate and draft responses to public consultation papers, position papers and talking points for company representatives in conferences, panels, round tables, etc.
• Lead all corporate affairs and public relations activities, ensuring that key messages are appropriately shared in public
• Strengthen OpCo brand value and reputation by liaising with external parties
• Where required, escalate unsolvable issues to Head Legal & Regulatory Affairs in a timeous manner
• Other tasks and duties, as assigned

Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities

• Accountable for the morale, performance, and development of the function’s human capital
• Cascade and socialize work structure processes to enable adoption by the team
• Coach and mentor direct reports
• Ensure assigned team is led, motivated, and rewarded to achieve KPA’s
• Ensure that coaching / mentoring programs and personal development plans are in place for all staff members
• Ensure effective management of diversity among personnel in the function
• Identify staff training and development needs and implement necessary actions, in collaboration with HR
• Motivate and manage individuals to perform at the highest level, especially in terms of delivery and meeting target deadlines
• Possess the authority, presence, and integrity to command respect from colleagues and from external contacts
• Provide career development for direct reports (counselling, coaching, identifying key performance areas, career planning, and goal setting), in collaboration with HR

Job Requirements (Education, Experience and Competencies)

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (Honours) from a recognised University
• Master of Law, Master’s in Business Administration, or relevant Master’s degree is advantageous

Experience:

• A minimum of 4 to 6 years’ total experience in a similar position with at least 2 years in a managerial role
• Experience in Fintech, banking or Telecom is preferred
• Experience in regulatory affairs management within the financial sector or banking industry
• Knowledge of Commercial, Corporate and Regulatory Law
• Understanding of FinTech, banking, microfinance, and payment businesses
• Proficient knowledge of the regulatory and compliance environments
• Knowledge of local and global political, regulatory, and general economic conditions
• Experience working in a global/multinational enterprise with a good understanding emerging markets is preferred

Competencies:

Functional Knowledge:

• Regulatory & Public Policy (Economic, Consumer & Service Regulation, Privacy & Information Regulation, MFS Regulation, Technical Regulation, Government Relations & Stakeholder Management , Regulatory  & Public Policy Research & Impact Analysis, Regulatory Risk Management)
• Corporate Affairs (Corporate Affairs Management, ESG Reporting & Management, External Communication, Public & Media Relations, Social Media Management, Corporate Social Investment, Digital Human Rights, Reputation Monitoring & Management, Events & Sponsorships)
• Stakeholder management
• Relationship management

Skills