Position: Head, Government Affairs- South Asia
Location: Flexible. Preferred : Gurgaon/ New Delhi
Position Summary
The Head, Government Affairs- South Asia will serve as a key member of the Government & Industry Affairs (GIA) team, reporting directly to the APAC Government & Industry Affairs Leader, and acting as a market shaper in the region. The South Asia & AGL Government & Industry Affairs Leader will leverage key external stakeholders and strong advocacy skills to ensure that the protection and promotion of Corteva's products, freedom to operate and commercial business growth initiatives are forefront in all major decisions, and in the region's GIA activities.
To accomplish this result, the Leader effectively advocates for Corteva positions on legislation and regulatory proposals, levering Business Unit, Regulatory, Legal and Government & Industry Affairs network resources. She/he then ensures teams have the correct allocation of resources to place against aligned strategic goals, and that they have the resources and processes in place to operate at a world-class standard. It is also critical that this position work effectively with the strategic priorities of the rest of the APAC GIA team, under the stewardship of the APAC Government & Industry Affairs Leader. This requires two-way communications and regular touch points outside the region to flag new and changing issues, and to align strategic priorities.
Major Responsibilities
Overall Objectives
- Serve as the senior Government Affairs strategist for Corteva, providing strong alignment and leadership for the Government & Industry Affairs function.
- Lead region to work political risk mitigation across multiple countries-based stakeholders in support of Corteva's business portfolio.
- Initiate and maintain strategic relationships with key government officials, parliamentarians and other stakeholders that are relevant to meet the objectives of the company and its objectives.
- Represent company at government level with officials involved in relevant political and regulatory decisions and processes, including approvals of company products and activities.
- Strategies are typically designed to promote regulatory acceptance of products and critical commercial business growth initiatives. These priorities include: IPR, Freedom to operate, Right to invest, Market access/market shaper, Product registration, Customs or tariffs, Export controls or sanctions and Trade policy development and negotiation
- Bring best practices to the business, playing a key role in decisions-making to ensure the team is truly global in its outlook.
- Conduct all duties in accordance with Corteva core values. Government Affairs/Advocacy Responsibilities
- Identify key political and non-technical risks and develop comprehensive advocacy strategies, risk mitigations, and engagement plans in conjunction with key stakeholders. Develop, manage, sustain, and enhance relationships with key external stakeholders relevant to the identified risks.
- Leverage advocacy, intelligence gathering, analysis, risk mitigation and relationships to contribute to business objectives.
- Effectively advocate Corteva positions on legislation and regulatory proposals, leveraging Business Unit, Regulatory, Legal, and Global Government Affairs Network resources.
- Represent Corteva to business-related Chambers / Councils / Associations and principal accountability for think-tanks and KOLs. Issues & Crisis Management Responsibilities
- Work as part of the APAC GA/IA team in developing and managing Corteva's regional positions on Government & Industry Affairs issues.
- Lead and provide ongoing counsel on local issues response strategy for any regulatory/government issues, and help to guide the localization of issues for local language, tone and relevance in defense of Corteva's reputation.
Qualifications External
Ideal Experience
- 15+ years of extensive experience in government and/or government relations roles (variety of assignments is preferred) with demonstrated region's perspective and South Asian country markets knowledge. Senior experience can be considered.
- BS or BA preferably in related field. An MA or other advanced degree is highly desirable.
- Experience in a multinational corporation or association focused on innovative sectors and/or food and agriculture sectors is preferred.
- Demonstrated experience counselling and establishing credibility among executives. Demonstrates qualities of a highly strategic leader and is clearly grounded in best practices and latest trends in government relations. This includes emerging content strategies, digital strategies and tools, reputational measurement practices and issues/crisis response tactics.
- Proven superior/first-hand knowledge of Governments in the region, multilateral agencies, trade associations, policy environment and decision-making processes.
- Demonstrated understanding of how government officials develop and implement policy with the ability to analyze government policy/legislation and advocate corporate positions before senior policy makers, legislative staff, and the administration.
- Ability and desire to travel regularly
- Demonstrated ability to strategically cultivate, manage, and utilize key stakeholder relationships.
- Demonstrated ability to partner with government entities to collaborate and secure incentives to operate and innovate.
- Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and coalitions across value chain entities to advance common policy objectives.
- Able to work effectively in cross-functional and multi-cultural environment, and in a team setting.
- Able to build and sustain extensive network of relationships (internal and external).
- Strong advocacy skills and ability to promote public policy positions.
- Strong interpersonal, networking, and public speaking skills, with the confidence and credibility to act quickly, communicate effectively, and command respect of both internal and external audiences.
- Fluency in English with strong written and oral communication skills.
- Thrives in a collaborative environment and cultivates such an environment on all teams. S/he must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills to create and engage cohesive project teams with members in disparate locations and specialties.
Leadership Qualities
- Leads by example and sets high standards for responsiveness and quality of work to drive key business outcomes. Inspires team confidence and high performance with a clearly communicated, unified mission that drives team-wide belief and action.
- Demonstrated ability to earn credibility among and influence executives. This requires excellent style in counsel, interaction and presentation, as well as business acumen and deep knowledge of multiple region's markets.
- Strong influencing and negotiation skills, and ability to forge relationships with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrates political sensitivity and makes diplomatic choices when necessary.
Critical Competencies for Success
- Collaboration: Exhibits unquestionable team building and collaborative initiative inter- and intra-departmentally. Through example, and through appropriate design process, fosters this collaborative approach to ultimately build a collaborative environment. Demonstrates inclusivity and transparency as team values, and as team behaviors that drive the best results.
- Counsel: Provides tempered and trusted advice to employees and to executives. Navigates uncertainty with confidence drawn from a variety of experiences, as well as from knowing how to get the right answers from the right place when more information is needed. Works as a partner in all interactions, rather than as a dictator or an order-taker. Demonstrates a versatile approach to training and providing counsel to internal individuals and teams.
Strategy: Relates business and government affairs decisions to core values and business strategy. Has the ability to interact and own both the big picture and the details. Actively monitors business risks and develops government affairs strategies to address them.
