Job Description

About the Unit

Yara is the world's largest producer of ammonia, nitrates and NPKs, offering solutions for sustainable agriculture respecting the environment. Our fertilizers and our crop nutrition programs were designed to help the sector of food production and to meet the needs of a growing world population. Our products and solutions help industry reduce emissions, improve air quality and prioritize effective operations safely.

Yara Africa & Asia (YAA) produces, sells, distributes and markets fertilizers and industrial products across Asia Pacific and Africa regions, with offices location and operational units in 20 countries. The region employs over 1800 employees and has a long history in the Asian Pacific and African markets, focusing on develop crop nutrition concepts that increase food production and create value to the growers, in particular smallholder farmers, whilst minimizing environmental impact of agricultural activities.

YAA is currently undergoing a major transformation, aimed at shifting the existing business models, generating new revenue streams and ultimately delivering profit through new Farming Solutions related activities.

Yara Africa & Asia (YAA) is seeking applications for a hard-working, motivated, and professional individual with experience supporting regional stakeholder relationship management - and someone who has excellent writing and communication skills - to act as its Government Relations and Public Affairs (GR/PA) Specialist, serving as part of the YAA regional team based in Singapore.

This role will be part of the YAA Social Impact and Public Affairs (SIPA) team and will report to the Director of Public Affairs & Corporate Communications - Africa & Asia (the Director), who is based in Singapore. The successful candidate will also help support engagements with YAA's Executive Vice President and with country leaders, SIPA and Global Initiatives teams, and Marketing Communications colleagues in Yara's 22 country offices across Africa and Asia.

Responsibilities

The GR/PA Specialist will collaborate with and provide support on a day-to-day basis to serve YAA's needs, including:

• Support all aspects of the YAA EVP's and Director's external engagements with appropriate stakeholders, including: coordinating with the Head of EVP Office on scheduling and logistical matters, helping to develop, prepare, and maintain detailed schedules and briefing books for participation in local and overseas conferences (e.g., World Economic Forum (WEF), Africa Green Revolution Forum (AGRF)), government and industry forums, in-country visits, event planning, and related aspects.
• Research and help to develop internal and external communications for the EVP and/or the Director. This will include contributing to and helping to write e-mails, talking points, town hall remarks, speeches, PowerPoint presentations, press releases, media interviews, social media posts, and other communications.
• Assist with developing internal and external communications (through Yara's internal platforms and via external social media such as LinkedIn and Facebook) to raise awareness of YAA's commercial, social impact, and public affairs priorities and activities. Work closely with Yara's in-country teams and global HQ to help develop content and messaging that align regionally and globally as appropriate.
• Build and further relationships with a variety of Yara corporate stakeholders and external partners in Singapore and across the region, including relevant government ministries and agencies, trade associations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), consumer groups, academic and research institutes, think tanks, and media.
• Contribute to YAA's thought leadership and public policy contributions on a range of issues, including:
• Food security through economically empowering farmers - especially smallholder farmers and women and youth farmers.
• Accelerating adoption of climate-smart and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
• Promoting growth of small and medium businesses, women-owned enterprises, and youth entrepreneurship across the food value chain.
• Advocating the importance of adopting and enabling access to digital technology-enabled solutions and other innovations to improve competitiveness of food system actors, specifically smallholder farmers and small businesses.
• Championing Yara's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) commitment within corporate environments across the region.
• Help prepare and coordinate written recommendations to government working groups / committees and responses to questions from government partners and related stakeholders.
• Any other duties as may be reasonably expected, including supporting day-to-day progress of the YAA SIPA agenda as assigned.

Profile

• A bachelor's degree in political science, international affairs, international development, or a similarly relevant field within the social sciences.
• 5+ years of demonstrable experience of working in public policy, public affairs, and/or corporate communications in ASEAN or APAC. Africa- and/or Europe-related experience a plus.
• Excellent attention to detail (i.e., perfectionist attributes), organizational ability, time management, and ability to prioritize competing demands and to provide quality work under short notice and tight turnaround times.
• Discretion, tact, personal and professional ethics, and a diplomatic demeanour are essential.
• Experience working in/with multicultural environments, and a keen interest in learning about other countries and cultures.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communications skills in English are critical; proficiency in other national languages and lingua franca in Africa and/or Asia are highly desired.
• Proven research and writing skills and experience in drafting policy documents, white papers, press releases, etc. preferred.
• Experience working in or with the public sector and multi-stakeholder environments. Proven experience engaging with stakeholders at all levels (including up to C-level) desirable.
• Background in agriculture, technology, climate change will be an added advantage.
• Pragmatic, resourceful, and flexible approach to work.
• Be capable of operating independently as part of a small, hard-working team and are prepared to assist outside of office hours where necessary to meet company requirements.
• Open to international travel opportunities if/as they arise.

Additional Information

To apply, please send a cover letter (required) detailing how your career accomplishments and professional/personal interests would make you a great fit for this role, your detailed resume, and two short, relevant writing samples (max. 2-3 pages each).

Apply no later than

Apply no later than 19 April 2023

Yara