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Public Policy Senior Manager/Manager (MEMA region)

Job type: Employee or Consultant (outside BE and outside US)
Time type: Full-time
Location: Ethiopia or Kenya
Post date: 03 December 2025

Position Summary:

Preferred location: Kenya OR Ethiopia

 

The Public Policy Senior Manager/Manager (MEMA region) will be part of the GS1 Global Public Policy team reporting to the Vice President for Global Public Policy. The role will be responsible for implementing public policy plans to collaborate with regulators, intergovernmental organisations, industry associations, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders in the region.

The successful candidate will be a highly accomplished individual with expertise in public policy, government relations and policy communications work especially in the fields of consumer goods, retail, sustainability, standards, data and technology.

The role requires a passion for regulatory affairs and policy developments, and the ability to be a trusted and neutral partner to authorities and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

  • Based on the global public policy strategy and priorities, raise the knowledge of the GS1 system towards intergovernmental organisations present in the region (e.g., African Union, the African Continental Free Trade Area, the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League etc.) and build trust and collaboration on GS1 public policy activities in the region.
  • Engage with industry groups/trade associations, standardisation bodies, chambers of commerce etc., active at regional level.
  • Coordinate public policy activities of GS1 member organisations in the region and explore new synergies.
  • Promote programs and initiatives to achieve societal, regulatory and business environments in which GS1 standards will thrive.
  • Collaborate across functions within the Public Policy team and across GO functions (sectors, standards, marketing, …), including contributing to multi-disciplinary teams.

Education/Experience:

  • Bachelor's level degree is required; Master’s or law degree is preferred with 10 years of work experience in public affairs, government relations or policy communications position in industry, government agency, consultancy, trade association or NGO in the region.

Skills required:

Must have

  • Thorough understanding of how international organisations, trade associations and NGOs function in the MEMA region.
  • Experience in collaborating with the African Union or other regional organisations and in one or more of the following is ideal: standards, trade, consumer goods and safety, e-commerce, data, sustainability, digital economy.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills - confident presenter and public speaker.
  • Effective relationship builder – one-to-one, one-to-many, internally and externally, with small and large organisations.
  • Must be fluent in English and French, oral and written.

 

Nice to have 

  • Fluency in other languages including Arabic is helpful.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Excellent time management skills and flexibility to cater for commitments across multiple time zones.
  • The ability to persuasively communicate complex concepts and programs into concise and credible messages at the highest levels of government and business, with a proven track record of delivering high-volume and high-quality work.
  • Comfortable learning about new technology and explaining it to non-technical audiences.

Additional Information:

This job may require up to 10 % travel in the MEMA region and towards Brussels.

How to apply:

Email your cover letter with CV to: jobs@gs1.org; include the job title in the subject line. Responses will be treated quickly and with strict confidentiality.