Job description
Role Overview
Head of Public Policy for Middle East and Africa (MEA) at Snap Inc, based in Dubai. This role reports to the Senior Director Public Policy EMEA and leads public policy and government relations work across the MEA region, with particular focus on UAE and Saudi Arabia, as well as Qatar and potentially further afield in Africa.
Company Overview
Snap Inc is a technology company that operates Snapchat, a visual messaging app that enhances relationships with friends, family, and the world. The company also operates Specs Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary dedicated to making computing more human, in addition to Bitmoji, Saturn, and other digital services. Snap believes the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate and contributes to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together.
Role Purpose
The Head of Public Policy for MEA is responsible for co-designing and executing the implementation of the public policy plan for relevant markets in the Middle East and Africa. The role ensures that Snap's distinctive voice is heard and accommodated in policy-making circles, manages relationships with governments and key public stakeholders, and co-develops positions on key local and regional policy issues impacting Snap while developing effective strategies to achieve policy outcomes and mitigate risk.
Key Responsibilities
Stakeholder & Government Relations
- Serve as the main day-to-day policy representative of Snap Inc in the Middle East and Africa.
- Further deepen relationships with relevant government officials, NGOs, trade associations, non-governmental organizations, and other influential stakeholders.
- Demonstrate a proven ability for shaping and working with government officials, NGOs, coalitions and other stakeholder groups.
Policy Development & Strategy
- Co-develop positions on key local and regional policy issues impacting Snap.
- Develop effective strategies to achieve policy outcomes and mitigate risk.
- Collaborate with Public Policy, Legal and Business teams to analyze legislative initiatives, advise on risks and opportunities and develop company policy positions and messaging.
- Be forward thinking and proactive on legislative, regulatory and public policy issues, with the ability to rapidly understand and master complex policy issues.
- Work with Snap business to identify pertinent issues and orient the public policy team to meet priorities.
Representation & Communications
- Serve as the policy spokesperson of the company in the region in various forums and events.
- Be the first to act and respond to appropriate public policy inquiries.
- Partner with the Communications team to help them appropriately respond to policy-related media inquiries by providing the correct policy narrative that best represents Snap Inc.
- Adapt communication on complex issues for different audiences.
Cross-functional Collaboration
- Work closely with the Senior Director EMEA of Public Policy, the EMEA Public Policy team, the SVP Global Policy & Platform Operations and, on occasion, the senior executive organization.
- Work closely with the rest of the Global Public Policy team, wider Legal team, regional Sales teams, the Communications team, Platform Integrity and Product teams and, on occasion, senior business executives to ensure the public policy program supports business growth and protects the company's interests.
Qualifications & Experience
- Master's degree or advanced studies in law, economics, or public affairs.
- 10+ years of relevant experience in MENA public policy and public affairs.
- Strong experience (4+ years) on MENA tech policy, ideally working on platform regulations.
- Good tech policy understanding and existing relationships within government and the wider stakeholder community in the region.
- Demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of external groups and individuals, including those who are opponents or critics.
- Preferred: Working experience in Dubai or Riyadh.
- Preferred: Previous experience working with the Government, regulators or other Public institutions.
Skills & Competencies
- Excellent communication and advocacy skills with sound political judgment.
- Ability to work independently and as a self-starter in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
- Ability to rapidly understand and master complex policy issues.
- Articulate and thoughtful in policy discussions and presentations.
- Teammate with a positive attitude, motivation and a sense of humor.
- Full Arabic and English proficiency necessary.
- A passion for Snapchat and creativity.
Additional Information
- This role requires working from the Snap office in Dubai 4+ days per week, in accordance with Snap's "default together" approach.
- Snap Inc. offers comprehensive benefits including paid parental leave, comprehensive medical coverage, emotional and mental health support programs, and compensation packages that allow employees to share in Snap's long-term success.
- Snap is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
- Accommodation for candidates with disabilities or special needs is available upon request.