Policy Manager

Summary

Join the Good Food Institute Japan (GFI Japan) as their Policy Manager and make a significant impact on the global food system. Lead and grow a small team dedicated to driving impactful policy initiatives for alternative proteins. Build relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials and industry players. Develop and implement policy strategies to create regulatory pathways for alternative proteins, secure public investment in R&D, and ensure equitable market access. Represent GFI Japan at external events and collaborate with global affiliates. Oversee policy activity budgeting, growth planning, and recruitment. This is a full-time, flexible-hours contract position based in Japan with the possibility of transitioning to a regular employee role. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits.

Requirements

• At least 7 years of experience working in Japanese public policy, food security, novel food, economic growth through science and innovation, or related policy disciplines, including engaging with high-level stakeholders in an international context
• Strong experience in and comfort engaging with government agencies, communicating with legislative or executive branch policymakers and staff, both verbally and in writing
• Experience building coalitions and developing consensus among partners with different, complementary, and sometimes competing objectives
• Fluent in Japanese language and business-level written and conversational proficiency in English
• Ability to navigate dynamic and constantly evolving policy environments while managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting deadlines
• The demonstrated ability to communicate complex and nuanced information clearly in both written and verbal presentations to a range of audiences
• Capacity to thrive in a dynamic environment and pivot to meet opportunities while advancing strategic priorities. Ability to problem-solve under pressure
• Excellent project management, organizational, and written and verbal communication skills. Strong ability to persuade. Detail oriented
• Comfort working remotely and in a rapidly growing and evolving organization
• Strong support for GFI’s philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in plant-based & other alt proteins, public health, environmentalism, climate change, animal protection, or hunger relief
• A commitment to GFI’s values: believe change is possible, do the best we can, share knowledge freely, act on evidence, and invite everyone to the table

Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing policy strategies to achieve positive policy changes, underpinned by thorough research and stakeholder mapping
• Working with the GFI network, to design, deliver, and implement national policy plans
• Building relationships with senior politicians and officials in public institutions, including the Cabinet Office, the House of Representatives, the House of Councillors, central ministries, and local governments
• Building alliances with nonprofit organisations, industry players, and other stakeholders
• Representing GFI Japan at external events and collaborating on policy issues related to alternative proteins, with a focus on areas such as public R&D funding, trade facilitation, regulatory support, and talent development
• Monitoring domestic and international policy developments and representing GFI Japan’s positions to the government through written submissions and direct engagement
• Drafting and preparing detailed submissions, presentations, letters, concept notes, and internal and external resources
• Overseeing external contracts related to policy work, including partnerships with political consultancies and grant-funded initiatives
• Serving as a senior spokesperson for GFI Japan in policy matters
• Participating in relevant regional and global policy fora to represent GFI Japan’s perspective, including at global committee calls with other GFI affiliates and global policy working groups as required
• Representing Japan at the heads of Policy meetings
• Collaborating with colleagues across GFI and its global affiliates to align on regional and international policy initiatives, while actively coordinating with policy staff from APAC, Brazil, Israel, India, Europe, U.S., and in the future, South Korea, as well as relevant strategic partners, to address region-specific issues and opportunities
• Designing and providing oversight and leadership to a high-performing policy team, ensuring objectives, key results, and action plans are developed and executed effectively
• Managing and supporting future policy team members, including performance assessments, professional development, and other aspects of line-management
• Working with Operations support to manage departmental spending on policy initiatives and adhering to people operations and operational procedures
• Overseeing policy activity budgeting, growth planning, and any recruitment of new team members in collaboration with the Operations team and Managing Director
• Performing other duties as assigned to ensure the success of GFI’s policy initiatives

Preferred Qualifications

A degree or equivalent experience in public policy, political science, law, science and technology innovation, or a related field is strongly preferred

Benefits

• Includes statutory health, pension, labor, and employment insurances per Japanese regulations, as well as paid leave per GFI Japan’s policy
• Full-time (flexible hours), contract
• Flexible – we will consider applicants from anywhere in Japan
• This is a remote role, and you will be able to work from home, or anywhere you choose within Japan
• The whole GFI Japan team aims to get together in person approximately twice per year for around 2-3 days at a time. Travel costs will be covered by GFI Japan within our travel policy
• Flexible hours with an occasional need to work at nights or early mornings to engage in global meetings with partners around the world
• Up to 10 Million Japanese yen (pre-tax)