Company Overview:

Founded in 2012, SunCulture’s Vision is to build a world where people take control of their environment in rewarding and sustainable ways. SunCulture does this by developing and commercializing life changing technology that solves the biggest daily challenges for the world’s 570 million smallholder farming households. We are the largest distributor of solar water pumps / solar irrigation for smallholder farmers in Africa and were selected by Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in 2021. Here is a good explainer video recently made by CNBC. Over the last 5 years the company has grown significantly and now employs 400+ people around the world.

Role Overview:

As the Head of Public Affairs you will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive public affairs strategy that advances SunCulture’s goals by engaging with governments, regulatory bodies, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders. Your role will be instrumental in shaping favorable policies and securing subsidies that support the adoption of solar irrigation technologies among smallholder farmers in SSA.

Key Responsibilities:

Policy Advocacy:

• Monitor, analyze, and assess policy landscapes across target markets in SSA related to agriculture, renewable energy, and irrigation.

• Develop a deep understanding of existing and proposed policies that impact the adoption of solar irrigation technologies by smallholder farmers.

• Collaborate with internal teams to identify and prioritize policy objectives aligned with SunCulture’s mission and business goals.

• Design and implement advocacy strategies to influence policy development, reform, and implementation.

Subsidy Acquisition:

• Identify and assess subsidy opportunities, grants, and incentives available to support the adoption of solar irrigation technologies.

• Develop proposals and applications for securing subsidies, collaborating closely with the Finance and Business Development teams.

• Manage relationships with subsidy providers and ensure compliance with reporting and documentation requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with government officials, regulatory bodies, and industry associations in target markets.

• Engage in regular dialogues with stakeholders to promote SunCulture’s solutions and contribute to policy discussions.

• Represent SunCulture in relevant forums, conferences, and working groups to position the company as a thought leader in sustainable agriculture.

Communication and Advocacy Campaigns:

• Craft compelling messages, position papers, and communication materials that effectively convey SunCulture’s value proposition to policymakers and stakeholders.

• Develop and execute advocacy campaigns that mobilize support for policy changes conducive to the adoption of solar irrigation solutions.

Policy Research and Analysis:

• Conduct in-depth research on policy trends, market dynamics, and competitive landscapes to inform strategic decision-making.

• Provide insights to internal teams on policy-related opportunities and risks that could impact SunCulture’s business operations.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, International Relations, Political Science, or a related field. Advanced degree is a plus.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in public affairs, government relations, or policy advocacy, preferably in the agricultural or renewable energy sectors.

• Strong understanding of policy development processes and government relations across SSA markets.

• Proven track record of successful policy advocacy and subsidy acquisition efforts.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to think strategically and analytically, with a solutions-oriented mindset.

• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously.

• Proficiency in written and spoken English; knowledge of French and/or local languages is a plus.

• Willingness to travel frequently within target markets.