External Affairs Lead

Unilever is currently hiring for External Affairs Lead - Punjab

Function: Corporate Affairs & Communications

Reports to: C&CA Head

Location: Lahore

Terms & Conditions: Contract

JOB PURPOSE:

The incumbent will be responsible for championing Unilever Pakistan in fostering strong processes and strategic partnerships with government entities, external stakeholders, and civil society, while driving the company's reputation and business continuity.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

The responsibility includes ensuring proper processes are in place to protect Unilever Pakistan's license to operate, managing partnerships with government, external stakeholders, and civil society.

Reporting directly to the Head of Communications & Corporate Affairs, the person works closely with colleagues in other functions, regional and global teams, to align and ensure a coordinated strategy.

• Support for development and execution of government affairs strategy, stakeholder engagement, corporate reputation, issue & crisis management, to ensure no disruption to business by protecting license to operate.

• Coordinate the mapping and management of key issues in partnership with the Supply Chain, Marketing/Brands, Sustainability, and Regulatory Affairs functions, and help implement mitigation strategies.

• Monitor policy and political environment for salient and emerging issues (climate, plastic waste, renewable energy, food regulations, tax, etc) and timely and regularly inform the leadership team and respective LT.

• Identify opportunities and threats in the business environment to advance or defend Unilever Pakistan's operations.

• Manage governmental affairs at Provincial and National level, including preparing high-level bilateral meetings for Unilever leadership.

• Support the business savings & cost avoidance agenda along with other related functions, especially those related to government incentives.

• Support local site (factory & Offices) teams to ensure local business continuity issues, and community relations are well managed.

• Represent Unilever with external stakeholders and regulators, including active engagement in trade associations to create a better business environment.

• Enhance visibility and reputation of Unilever with all relevant stakeholders and position Unilever as leader in future fit and sustainable business.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION:

• 5+ years' experience working in multinational organizations, FMCG or food industry, with preferences for experience in Industrial Relations and factory Employee Relations

• Previous experience working with government agencies & regulators

• Knowledge of consumers industry, health, or environment policy issues

• Existing network of Government/regulators /academic stakeholders

• An advanced degree in a relevant discipline (Communications, Political Science, International Relations, Law or Public Policy)

SKILLS:

• Ability to understand the external economic, social and political environment, how that impacts the company

• Ability to build relationships with external stakeholders, negotiate and promote company's objectives in industry

• Ability to influence, negotiate with, and persuade others. Must be flexible and demonstrate strong judgement/decision-making skills

• Ability to understand complex issues, summarize them and communicate them in simple, effective ways for internal and external customers

• Ability to work within international teams across different geographies

• Ability to organize time efficiently, manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks, and articulate objectives and priorities within the business, work efficiently under time pressure

• Excellent English and writing skills, particularly in policy analyses and policy briefs

LEADERSHIP

• You are now a Leader of Change. People look to you to provide safety in a storm, and you also appropriately challenge to get even better results. You role model resilience and care. You navigate these uncertain times by flexing plans and your leadership style, always with authenticity.

• You are still responsible for delivering to the highest standards. You must be resilient so you can lead others to deliver with passion through uncertainty and create opportunities through the core and beyond. You must be able to flex your style and your plans to guide others through difficult times.

• Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors

o Care Deeply

o Focus on What Counts

o Stay Three Steps Ahead

o Deliver with Excellence

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their 'Whole Self' to work and this includes you Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.