Head of Corporate Affairs and Business Sustainability

Role Purpose:

The Head of Corporate Affairs and Business Sustainability will lead the local fitness to operate and sustainability strategy for Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Seeds to protect and enable current and future business considering societal expectations.

The strategy will span sustainable and responsible business activities, internal and external communications, government, and Public Affairs. It will be implemented with the support of the regulatory, marketing, and technical functions of the business.

Accountabilities:

The Head of Corporate Affairs and Business Sustainability, Pakistan, will lead the local fitness to operate and sustainability strategy for Syngenta’s operations in Pakistan through the following functional responsibilities:

Corporate Affairs:

• Identify key stakeholders, understand their priorities, and develop a strategic plan for engagement
• Presents Syngenta’s position to the government to safeguard our business interests.
• Monitor political and economic developments, identify trends with implications for the business, and engages with and build coalitions with stakeholders to advocate for or against and advance policies.
• Advises the Country Leadership team on the business implications of any changes in government policies.
• Maintain close liaison with CropLife Pakistan to develop synergies and pursue ambitions of mutual interest.
• Develop transparent and measurable KPIs and assess the business impact of advocacy efforts.
• Must have a fair knowledge of Corporate Communications, Reputational risk management, and ensuring image management.
• Strong liaison with external stakeholders such as Law Enforcement Agencies.
• In collaboration with Syngenta’s industry associations, advocate on local policy initiatives and implementation of PK policies.
• Deliver pro-active reputation management through developing thought leadership platforms, regular formal and informal stakeholder engagement, and effective use of multiple media channels, public engagements, and publications.
• Oversee and ensure corporate and leadership communications both internal and external are effectively executed with the right and proper communication platforms in relation to policy engagement program.

Business Sustainability:

• Develop and implement/supervise the local Business Sustainability Strategy for the BU (CP and seeds), taking into account global and regional BS priorities (such as the good growth plan), local stakeholder expectations, local policy initiatives and local business strategy.
• Align BS strategy with local CP and Seeds LTs, determine local governance processes and required collaboration processes with local regulatory, marketing/technical functions (i.e., Sustainable and Responsible Business, stewardship).
• Ensure clear, individual plans are in place which deliver against each pillar of the local BS strategy and specifically building acceptance for our new technologies and in market risk mitigation via stewardship.
• Develop strategic partnerships and oversee effective community engagement across the BU, with targeted progressive NGOs and value chain players, including the farmers and the food companies.
• Ensure Syngenta CP and seeds business strategy including BS is well understood across the BU, channel global/regional/local communications to BU associates.
• Ensure that there is an effective and well-functioning horizon scanning and crisis management system in place across the BU and report escalation if necessary.

• A mature and motivated professional with a high EQ and ‘sense-making’ capability, together with strong decision-making and influencing skills
• A high level of presence and personal credibility, with the authority to build respect and trust at all levels of a company
• Confident and collaborative. Comfortable “rolling up the sleeves” with a “can do” approach
• Resilient and resourceful, able to think creatively to achieve objectives
• A strong passion for building and sustaining positive relationships with key internal and external stakeholders
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and strong analytical and creative problem-solving capability
• Demonstrate drive and lead the mindset change to bring sustainability to the agenda on different platforms

Critical for the role:

• A collaborative and empowering leadership style, with a focus driving a culture of learning, satisfaction and strong performance
• High level of discretion and integrity to handle confidential material sensitively Strong personal values aligned with Syngenta’s values

Syngenta Group is one of the world’s leading sustainable agriculture innovation companies, with roots going back more than 250 years. Our 53,000 people across more than 100 countries strive every day to transform agriculture through tailor-made solutions for the benefit of farmers, society and our planet – making us the world’s most local agricultural technology and innovation partner.

Syngenta Group is committed to operating at the highest standards of ethics and integrity. This is a commitment that we are making to investors, customers, society and employees. Syngenta Group is also committed to maintaining a workplace environment free from discrimination and Harassment