Senior Manager Government Affairs - Central Africa
Job Description
About Us
Visa is a world leader in payments technology, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories, dedicated to uplifting everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.
At Visa, you'll have the opportunity to create impact at scale — tackling meaningful challenges, growing your skills and seeing your contributions impact lives around the world.
Join Visa and do work that matters – to you, to your community, and to the world. Progress starts with you.
Job Description
This position is based in the Visa’s Yaoundé, Cameroon office and we're searching for a proactive, solution-oriented, articulate, and strategic thinker who can operate and interact at the highest levels of government.
The role involves frequent travel within Central Africa.
This role is responsible for managing Visa’s relationships with key government officials, policymakers, public influencers, and regulators in Central African markets (Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic and Chad).
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and execute a Central Africa Government Affairs strategy, with clear objectives, timelines, and actions aligned to Visa’s global policy and regional priorities.
Manage operations including budgets, reporting, and timely delivery of high-quality position papers, policy briefs, analyses, and engagement plans.
Align policy initiatives with business goals and provide guidance to support market growth and innovation.
Monitor and influence legislation, regulation, and policy affecting Visa’s interests, advocating for favorable outcomes.
Build and sustain relationships with government bodies, industry groups, NGOs, and multilaterals; represent Visa in strategic forums to shape payment policies.
Implement best practices in advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory monitoring; refine processes for efficiency and impact.
Promote internal awareness of Government Affairs through training, briefings, and updates.
Key Competencies
Understanding of the digital payments industry and its economic and social impact.
Strong ability to analyze, interpret, and anticipate regulations and policy frameworks impacting digital payments and fintech ecosystems.
Proven experience in developing and implementing stakeholder relations strategies.
In-depth knowledge of business and political environments in anglophone West Africa.
Strong political and business acumen.
Creative and innovative thinking.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Budgeting and financial management experience.
Ability to work under pressure.
Motivated self-starter, able to work independently and as part of a team with minimal supervision.
Strong teamwork and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Computer literacy.
Fluency in French and English
Job Scope
Reports to the Senior Director and Head of Government Affairs for Western and Central Africa.
Works closely with country, CEMEA hub-level, and global colleagues, including teams in Country Management, Corporate Communications, Legal, Marketing, Strategy, Risk Management, Social Impact, and Products.
Collaborates with Government Affairs colleagues globally to develop and refine best practices.
Serves as a subject matter expert on policy, regulatory issues, and government relations for cross-divisional business teams.
This is a hybrid position. In-office days will be determined by your Hiring Manager.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
10 years of relevant experience.
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
Current member in good standing of a State Bar with the ability to become barred or a registered in-house counsel in the state where this role is located.
Preferred Qualifications:
12+ years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree, 9+ years with an advanced degree, or 5+ years with a PhD.
10+ years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or at least 7 years of experience with an advanced degree (e.g., Master’s, MBA, JD, MD), or 3 years with a PhD.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Public Policy, International Relations, Law, or related fields.
10–12 years’ experience in government relations, regulatory, or public policy roles.
Visa is an EEO Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.