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Public Affairs and Sustainability Manager

Syngenta • South Africa • Added on Jul 23, 2026
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This senior leadership position focuses on managing the critical intersection between regulatory freedom and sustainable agricultural practices within South Africa. You will lead the development of both public affairs and sustainability strategies, serving as a vital bridge between corporate objectives and national policy requirements. Your daily focus centers on building advocacy coalitions and ensuring that product operations align with evolving societal expectations.

The role is essential for transforming the local agricultural landscape, moving beyond mere compliance to embed long-term environmental stewardship into the business model. By securing strategic partnerships with NGOs and government bodies, you will directly influence how crop protection technologies contribute to regional food security while maintaining a high bar for ecological and social responsibility across the value chain.

This suits someone who is a diplomatic powerhouse with a deep understanding of the South African political climate and a genuine passion for steering large-scale corporate entities toward sustainable, high-impact business practices.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

As the strategic lead for South Africa, you will be responsible for defining and executing a comprehensive sustainability and Public Affairs strategy. This involves monitoring the regional political and economic landscape to identify trends that impact the agricultural sector, while ensuring that all business activities remain in harmony with regulatory demands and societal needs. You will act as the primary advocate for the company, managing reputation risks and policy initiatives related to food safety, product approvals, and the value chain. Your goal is to foster a corporate culture rooted in responsible business practices while maintaining the freedom to operate through high-level stakeholder management and strategic communication platforms.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers an unparalleled opportunity to master the complexities of agricultural policy and international ESG standards within a major emerging market. You will gain deep expertise in navigating the 'food value chain,' learning how global corporate goals are translated into local impact projects that address specific South African socio-economic challenges. Furthermore, you will sharpen your leadership skills in a matrixed multinational environment, collaborating across functions such as R&D, commercial, and legal. You will likely receive exposure to advanced advocacy techniques, reputation management frameworks, and the intricacies of Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) legislation within an industrial context.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings at least eight years of experience in crop protection, chemicals, or a high-stakes parallel industry. You should hold a degree in Political Science, Communications, or a related field, supplemented by a track record of managing complex, cross-functional projects that require both strategic thinking and 'hands-on' execution. Soft skills are paramount here; we are looking for a mature influencer with high emotional intelligence who can build trust at the highest levels of government and industry. You must be resilient, resourceful, and capable of translating technical sustainability data into compelling narratives for diverse audiences.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond generalist public relations experience and demonstrate your specific impact on agricultural or environmental policy. Your application should highlight instances where you successfully managed 'Freedom to Operate' challenges or brokered partnerships with difficult stakeholder groups such as progressive NGOs or regulatory bodies. Tailor your resume to show a balance between commercial mindset and social responsibility. In an interview, be prepared to discuss the unique challenges of the South African market—including socio-political dynamics and B-BBEE priorities—and how you would align Syngenta’s global sustainability mission with these local realities.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The sustainability focus of this role is deeply rooted in sustainable agriculture and product stewardship. You will work on projects that minimize environmental impact while maximizing farm yields, ensuring that the company's innovations contribute positively to biodiversity and soil health. Social sustainability is equally critical, as you will lead the B-BBEE strategy and community engagement efforts. This ensures the company contributes fairly to South Africa's economic transformation and supports the local communities and farmers that form the backbone of the region's food security.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges is managing the potential tension between aggressive commercial goals and stringent sustainability requirements. Navigating the diverse expectations of government officials, skeptical NGOs, and industrial partners requires a high degree of tact and the ability to find common ground in a polarized environment. Additionally, keeping pace with rapidly changing local regulations and geopolitical shifts requires constant vigilance. Ensuring that long-term sustainability initiatives are not sidelined by short-term crisis management or regulatory hurdles is a recurring test for anyone in this position.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a briefing on political developments affecting crop protection, followed by a meeting with a grain industry body such as Grain SA to discuss policy advocacy. You might spend your afternoon collaborating with internal commercial teams to ensure a new project aligns with B-BBEE targets or local sustainability KPIs. Communication is a constant thread; you may find yourself drafting a thought-leadership piece for a local publication or preparing a presentation for the Department of Agriculture. The day often concludes with regional calls to align local South African activities with the broader Africa and Middle East (AME) sustainability strategy.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Since this role involves high-level interaction with global leadership and regional heads, it serves as a powerful springboard into executive roles within Corporate Affairs or Sustainability at an international level. Successful performance can lead to broader regional mandates or specialized leads in ESG policy. Moving into commercial leadership is also a possibility, as the role requires a deep understanding of market dynamics and business strategy. Syngenta’s focus on internal mobility means there are paths toward global project leadership or strategic roles in Basel or other regional hubs.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Your network will include high-level government officials, regulators (The Registrar), and influential industry associations such as AgriSA and CropLife South Africa. These interactions are focused on advocacy, policy development, and ensuring the industry's voice is heard at the legislative level. Internally, you will collaborate closely with the Regional Corporate & Sustainability Team and technical experts. You will also interact with value chain partners, including farmer groups like Potato SA and various food companies, to drive collective action on sustainable farming practices.

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