Director, MENA Practice

The DGA-ASG Middle East and North Africa (MENA) practice is looking for an exceptional individual to join the region’s top public affairs firm as a Director. Based out of our Dubai or Riyadh offices, the role will focus on our fast-growing public sector advisory business in the Gulf region. The Director will help win and deliver public policy solutions for government clients as part of our experienced, dynamic and collegial team – contributing to trusted relationships and meaningful policy outcomes.

Location

Dubai (United Arab Emirates) or Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). Please note that DGA-ASG will not sponsor the relocation of candidates not already based in these locations.

Responsibilities

As a Director, you will work on a wide variety of public policy topics for different public sector clients in the Gulf region including ministries, local government, regional development authorities, special economic zones and state-owned enterprises. Engagements include regulatory framework development & implementation, regulatory infrastructure design & implementation, public policy department design and setup, training of government officials, public policy instrument development, regulatory impact assessments, post-implementation review and other aspects across the public policy cycle. You will preferably be a generalist with the ambition to work on a wide variety of public policy topics. Recent DGA-ASG work for example covered biodiversity, healthcare, culture, information technology & AI, economic development, investment attraction, planning & development, tourism, and disputes & complaints resolution.

Responsibilities include:

• Day-to-day management of workstreams of larger projects and/or smaller engagements in the GCC, in both cases with general oversight by senior colleagues. 
• Development of high-quality written reports, instruments and tools including public policy proposals, local and international benchmarking assessments and training programs. Contributing to the development of larger deliverables such as regulatory or governance frameworks, operating models and incentives programs. Making policy recommendations based on thorough analysis and evaluation techniques.
• Conducting thorough research and/or work with Associates and Senior Associates to conduct larger or more complex research assignments, including by using IT/AI research tools. Guide legal or regulatory experts in their legal analysis.
• Leading and/or supporting project management activities including the development of progress reports, verbal and written client updates, project delivery tracking, and invoicing & payment follow-up.
• Building and cultivating trusted relationships with colleagues, client representatives, industry experts and other stakeholders.
• Supporting public sector business development efforts by contributing to written responses to RFPs and public tenders, participating in meetings with prospective clients, attending relevant events, and supporting thought leadership and marketing activities.
• (Occasionally) supporting other activities of the DGA-ASG MENA practice including government relations, geopolitical advisory, international partnerships and strategic communications.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5-8 years working for or advising government organizations, with relevant experience developing public policy solutions and/or delivering strategic projects for the public sector, preferably in the Gulf region.
• Proven affinity and preferably experience working on a broad range of public policy topics; intellectually curious.
• Excellent research and writing skills. Highly proficient in PowerPoint and other MS Office tools. Experience using (AI-supported) research tools.
• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Entrepreneurial and focused on value creation. Energetic, forward-thinking, “can-do” and creative individual with the highest ethical standards and an appropriate professional presentation.
• Interacting effectively with colleagues at all levels and across firm. Managing DGA-ASG team members to work together to produce agreed upon deliverables. Working to create a positive work environment.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in political science, business administration, law, economics, international relations, public policy, or a related field, or equivalent experience required. MA, LL.M. or Master’s in related field preferred.
• Arabic language skills are preferred but not essential.

About Us

ASG, a foundational partner of DGA Group, is a leading provider of global strategic advisory and commercial diplomacy services.  We offer perspectives honed at the highest levels of governm