Government relations

Government Relations and Public Policy Lead - Sub-Saharan Africa

Location

Johannesburg

Employment Type

Regular

Job Code

A45841A

Responsibilities

The Global Public Policy & Government Affairs team's work spans across a broad and diverse range of functions and workstreams, including government affairs and government relations; policy and issue area expertise; risk and crisis management and mitigation; outreach, coalitions, and partnerships; and corporate social responsibility. The mission of the Global Public Policy team is to prevent, manage, and mitigate political, legislative, and regulatory threats to TikTok and to promote a political, legislative, and regulatory environment that supports growth and innovation for our business.

We are looking to hire a dynamic and agile Government Relations and Public Policy Leader to define and execute our GR efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The ideal candidate must be a strategic thinker and a strong team player with the ability to exercise good judgment in a rapidly changing environment. The candidate must have a good understanding of the region's public policy challenges, political systems, institutions, and cultural landscape; and, solid networks and relationships with Sub-Saharan policy-makers, multilateral agencies, academia, and civil society stakeholders.

The SSA Government Relations and Public Policy Leader is part of the METAPSA GR team and is responsible for overseeing regional policy issues and crisis management across Sub-Saharan Africa. The role reports to the Deputy Director of Government Relations and Public Policy for the Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, Pakistan, and South Asia.

The candidate must bring experience in policy assessment, risk management, and proven leadership and organizational skills. Experience in a technology company is preferred. They should be a flexible problem-solver with strong communication skills, able to collaborate effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders. The role also requires the ability to work independently and with agility in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Lead TikTok's government relations and public policy strategy in Sub-Saharan Africa, ensuring alignment with regional regulations and policy frameworks on data protection, privacy, safety, IP, content policy, and other tech-relevant issues.
Build and maintain strategic, long-term relationships with governments, regulators, NGOs, academia, think tanks, and other key stakeholders across the region.
Actively identify and assess emerging policy issues and political/social trends, advising internal teams on risks and opportunities.
Develop and execute advocacy and engagement campaigns to advance TikTok's policy positions and strengthen its reputation across SSA.
Serve as a senior external representative of TikTok, clearly communicating policy positions and helping local communities better understand the platform.
Guide and support local teams in mitigating operational and regulatory risks.
Manage and mentor a team of three, setting strategic priorities and ensuring high-quality execution.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Extensive experience leading public policy, government relations, or advocacy, with a proven ability to build and manage strategic relationships with governments, regulators, and key stakeholders.
Deep understanding of public policy issues relevant to technology (e.g., data protection, privacy, content, IP, safety) and the regulatory landscape across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Proven experience leading cross-functional initiatives and working effectively with legal, policy, communications, and product teams in complex organizations.
Strong leadership skills, with experience managing and mentoring teams.
Excellent judgment, persuasive communication, and advocacy skills, with the ability to operate in fast-paced and evolving environments.
Established networks and relationships with policymakers, civil society, academia, and the technology industry across SSA.
Master’s degree in law, public policy, international relations, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).

Preferred Qualifications

In-depth knowledge of the region's political systems, institutions, and cultural landscape.
Ability to travel frequently and adapt to diverse cultural and professional environments.

Job Information

About TikTok

TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and we also have offices in New York City, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.

Why Join Us

Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we work towards every day.

We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.

Diversity & Inclusion

TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.

Government Relations and Public Policy Lead - Sub-Saharan Africa

Job Type