Head of Policy

Job Description Summary:

The Head of Policy & Advocacy provides strategic leadership and oversight of the company's public policy and advocacy agenda in support of its short to long-term business goals. Reporting to the Director of Global Impact, the post holder drives the development and delivery of coherent policy and advocacy strategies, ensuring alignment across government affairs, sustainability, corporate communications, human rights, and related areas. The scope includes trade policy, non-technical trade barriers, and sustainability policy, with the ability to assess international regulatory developments and translate them into localised operational impacts.

The Head of Policy & Advocacy leads stakeholder engagement with governments, NGOs, industry associations, and coalitions, represents the company externally, and chairs the Stakeholder Engagement & Government Relations Working Group. The role coordinates advocacy efforts, provides guidance to internal teams, and manages two Policy Analysts.

Job Description:

Policy Development & Analysis

• Develop policy positions and execute advocacy strategies relevant to the business, strategy and goals, translating international and local regulatory developments into operational implications.
• Execute a collaborative policy development process to ensure alignment across business units and functional areas.
• Develop policy documents and communications materials, including talking points, key messages, op-eds, media statements, and social media posts, in collaboration with the internal team.

Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy

• Collaborate with business units and internal stakeholders to build consensus and advance policy proposals.
• Engage with regulators, governments, NGOs, industry associations, and other external stakeholders to support advocacy efforts.
• Represent the company in meetings and conferences, and report on key discussion points and outcomes.
• Chair the Stakeholder Engagement & Government Relations Working Group.

Policy Monitoring and Reporting

• Track and monitor public policy developments at local, national, and international levels to identify risks or opportunities for the business.
• Track and report on the impact of lobbying efforts and the quality of stakeholder relationships.
• Maintain positive working relationships with business leaders through regular engagement and timely information sharing.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in public policy, advocacy, business management or related field.
• 5 to 7+ years relevant experience in palm oil, agribusiness, or development policy processes in both international and local contexts.
• Broad knowledge of trade policy, non-technical trade barriers, and sustainability policy, with the ability to assess international regulatory impacts and translate them into localized operational implications.
• Experience engaging with governments, NGOs, and other partners.
• Demonstrated success in advocating for the adoption of policy principles and text adjustments in a relevant field.
• Strategic thinker with experience supporting development and execution of policy advocacy strategies.
• Outstanding leader with proven ability to manage teams, develop talent, and deliver results through people, systems, and processes.
• Understanding of challenges and issues on food nutrition and safety, biofuel and energy, sustainable agriculture, and terms of trade between countries.
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder mapping and development of strategies for engagement.
• Demonstrable ability to manage a heavy workload, multiple tasks, and tight deadlines while assessing priorities effectively.
• Strong negotiation, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to make connections across issues and activities within the business to maximise impact
• Effective written and verbal communication skills in English and Bahasa Indonesia; proficiency in a European language or Mandarin is highly valued.
• Strong communicator and spokesperson with experience representing the company in meetings and events, demonstrating public speaking, visual communication, and interpersonal skills, along with effective teamwork.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and organisational awareness, with the ability to balance high-level thinking and execution and exercise sound judgment.
• Consistently guided by company values in interactions with all stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Access, Word & PowerPoint).

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