Summary
Mobile for Development (M4D) is a dedicated unit at the GSMA focused on harnessing the power of mobile to achieve major societal impact. We bring together mobile operators, donors and innovators to deliver transformative digital solutions for the underserved through nine programmes.
Within M4D, the Connected Society Programme works with the mobile industry, technology companies, the development community and governments to increase access to and adoption of mobile internet, focusing on underserved population groups in developing markets.
Department: Mobile for Development
Location: London
Position type: Fixed term contract
Reporting to: Director of Policy and Advocacy, Connected Women and Connected Society
About the Team
Mobile for Development (M4D) is a dedicated unit at the GSMA focused on harnessing the power of mobile to achieve major societal impact. We bring together mobile operators, donors and innovators to deliver transformative digital solutions for the underserved through nine programmes.
Within M4D, the Connected Society Programme works with the mobile industry, technology companies, the development community and governments to increase access to and adoption of mobile internet, focusing on underserved population groups in developing markets. Key activities include:
- Generating and disseminating insights and learnings on the mobile internet coverage and usage gap.
- Supporting mobile operators to extend coverage and drive usage.
- Undertaking advocacy and policy work to ensure that mobile operators’ efforts to achieve greater digital inclusion are being effectively supported by governments, the international community and other stakeholders.
For more information, please visit www.gsma.com/connected-society
What the Hiring Manager Says
“The Connected Society Senior Advocacy Manager you will be at the forefront of global debates about how to accelerate digital innovation. Working closely with the Director of Policy and Advocacy, the successful candidate will help the GSMA establish its thought leadership in the digital inclusion area, design and implement bold industry initiatives to drive mobile internet usage. In a lot of countries, mobile has become the primary and sometimes the only means of internet access. This role is a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure to what mobile network operators are doing to connect the unconnected and to help shape a more inclusive digital future.”
Claire Scharwatt, Director of Policy and Advocacy
About the Role
As Connected Society Senior Advocacy Manager, you will be at the forefront of global debates about how to accelerate digital innovation. You will work closely with the insights team to develop key research to support strong, evidence-based advocacy messages around digital inclusion.
You will author public content that should become the reference materials for policymakers and private sector actors in the digital inclusion space. You will also be responsible for producing high quality briefing notes as well as written submissions for various meetings and policy processes.
You will help to shape and deliver key advocacy initiatives aimed at helping to drive digital inclusion, with a focus on key issues such as accessibility, affordability, digital skills, and online safety and security.
You will strive to highlight the issue of digital inclusion at key events. You will also represent the GSMA externally in bilateral meetings as well as conferences to ensure effective dissemination of Connected Society messages and build a broad network of public and private sector actors, including international organisations, mobile operators, regulators, and tech companies.
You will be working with external partners, such as the World Bank, A4AI and various UN agencies to help identify synergies and drive alignment where possible.
About You
- You have a good understanding of the mobile sector with experience working for a mobile network operator, a tech or internet company, or an international development organization, ideally with exposure to the mobile for development sector.
- You can demonstrate a solid understanding of policy and regulatory issues as related to digital inclusion via mobile, ideally with expertise in issues related to mobile internet adoption and use.
- You have experience in designing and delivering advocacy campaigns through stakeholder engagement, building evidence and delivering results.
- You are able to work in a matrixed structure, to positively influence peers and support cross functional collaboration across the GSMA.
- You have a very strong grasp of the English language, with compelling written and oral communications skills, including the ability to structure and tailor complex content into clear messaging for different stakeholder audiences.
- You have experience establishing, managing and inspiring productive relationships across stakeholders, including senior-level stakeholders.
- You are willing to regularly travel internationally, sometimes at short notice.
About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with over 350 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences.
Every day we work to harness the power of mobile to achieve our industry purpose – Connecting Everyone and Everything to a Better Future – through four main activities:
- We provide strategic direction and thought leadership to our members
- We drive collaborative industry programmes aimed at maintaining operator relevance in the digital world
- We advocate for the industry to regulators, policymakers and society as a whole
- We convene the broad mobile communications ecosystems and adjacent industry sectors at our industry-leading events
For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.
What We Offer
Working at the GSMA offers you unparalleled access to the mobile industry. We offer a chance to truly shape the direction of mobile, whatever your role. By joining the GSMA, you will be exposed to a fast-paced rapidly evolving environment, working on global solutions, genuinely fascinating and industry-changing projects and a stimulating and dynamic environment designed to enable you to flourish.
In addition to architect-designed offices and competitive compensation, our benefits include fantastic learning & development opportunities, generous holiday allowances, four additional days off for professional development and many others.
We offer a working environment that reflects our organisational values. We also hire in line with our values and recruit candidates who demonstrate a strong affinity with these 7 principles:
- DREAM BIG - Demonstrate vision and insight to lead the industry forward
- BE BOLD - Have the courage to take risks and make tough decisions
- OWN IT - Take full accountability for your decisions and actions
- WORK AS A TEAM - Collaborate to deliver impactful results
- DO THE RIGHT THING - Conduct yourself with honesty and integrity at all times
- SHOW RESPECT - Treat others as you would expect to be treated
- LOVE WHAT YOU DO - Bring passion and pride to your work
To learn more about the GSMA, visit our careers site, our LinkedIn page and our Twitter page.
