Director, Government Relations, Directeur

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**Director, Government Relations**

**Group**: Government Relations

**Reports to**: Deputy Chief Operating Officer

**Location**: WADA Headquarters, Montreal, Canada or WADA Europe Office, Lausanne, Switzerland

Posting deadline: 11 October 2024

**WHO WE ARE**

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was established in 1999 as an international independent agency to lead a collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport. As the global regulatory body, WADA’s primary role is to develop, harmonize and coordinate anti-doping rules and policies across all sports and countries. Our key activities include: scientific and social science research; education; intelligence & investigations; development of anti-doping capacity; and, monitoring of compliance with the World Anti-Doping Program.

**P**OSITION OVERVIEW**

The Director, Government Relations is leading the Agency’s relations with Governments and intergovernmental organizations worldwide. Governments are a key stakeholder for WADA as one of its two co-founders, sitting with equal representation to the Sport Movement on WADA’s two main governing bodies, the Foundation Board and the Executive Committee, and contributing to half of WADA’s budget.

The Director, Government Relations is responsible for developing mutually beneficial relationships between WADA, Governments and intergovernmental institutions in support of clean sport, ensuring Governments are aware of their obligations and responsibilities in the field of anti-doping and actively contribute to WADA’s mission.

The Director, Government Relations works closely with WADA’s regional offices, the Engagement and Development Impact Area, and all other internal teams, in alignment with WADA’s strategic priorities, and particularly its stakeholder engagement strategy.

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Develop and implement WADA’s Government Relations strategy, in alignment with WADA’s broader stakeholder engagement strategy;
- Develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships between WADA, Governments and intergovernmental institutions, in particular, but not limited to, UNESCO, regional entities in charge of anti-doping such as the Council of Europe, the American Council for Sport (CADE), the African Union and Asia/Oceania intergovernmental meeting for anti-doping;
- Support WADA’s President and Director General from both an operational and strategic standpoint in their interactions with Governments and intergovernmental institutions;
- Lead and coordinate the implementation of WADA’s partnerships established with governmental entities, to ensure the expected objectives are reached, in alignment with WADA’s partnerships strategy. Identify and build other potential partnerships where relevant;
- With the support of regional offices, proactively identify governmental issues that may arise globally which could impact progress in the protection of clean sport and propose measures to address them;
- Identify and coordinate relevant actions or events to be undertaken with Governments and intergovernmental organizations in line with WADA’s strategic priorities;
- Inform internally on all matters related to Governments and intergovernmental institutions as required and as relevant;
- Develop and maintain relationships with governmental authorities of WADA’s host countries, in collaboration with regional offices for their respective hosts and with the Office of the Director General for the headquarters in Montreal, Canada;
- Represent WADA at various governmental forums to support and convey WADA's vision;
Manage the Government Relations team and ensure it maintains relevant data and knowledge, including an accurate and updated database of all governmental contacts and meetings attended (participants, actions and follow-ups are documented).

**QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS**
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in international relations, law, politics, management, sports management, communications or other relevant field;
- Minimum five years experience and knowledge in the field of anti-doping within a government, intergovernmental institution, National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) or other relevant organization;
- Minimum five years experience and knowledge in working with governmental entities and/or international organizations;
- Excellent oral and written skills in English ; Additional languages would be an asset;
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to speak with audiences at all levels;
- Capacity to develop and maintain constructive and lasting relationships with stakeholders;
- High level problem-solving skills;
- Autonomy and sense of organization and prioritization;
- Speed, efficiency, and flexibility in executing tasks;
- Precision;
- Periodic work in the evening or on weekends;
- Availability for business travel (one travel per month in average);
- Fit with organizatio