Job description

The Good Food Institute is an international network of nonprofit think tanks working to make the global food system better for the planet, people, and animals. Alongside scientists, businesses, and policymakers, GFI’s teams focus on making plant-based, fermentation-enabled, and cultivated proteins delicious, affordable, and accessible. Powered by philanthropy, we are advancing alternative proteins as an essential solution needed to meet the world’s climate, global health, food security, and biodiversity goals.

The Policy Specialist APAC will cover the larger APAC region, and collaborate closely with our Policy Specialist Singapore, who’s leading on the Singapore strategy. By working closely with national governments, sub-national governments and civil society, the Policy Specialist APAC will have an immediate impact in catalyzing the movement to create a more sustainable, secure and just food system.

How you will make a difference

As GFI APAC’s Policy Specialist APAC, you will radically transform the food system by:

• Developing GFI APAC’s policy programs and strategy for the APAC region
• Develop and maintain a detailed understanding of the region’s food regulatory landscape,including government policies and national priorities.
• Develop, drive and manage the delivery of projects in an efficient and timely manner.
• Building and actively managing strong, meaningful, long-term relationships with impactful and relevant stakeholders in Asia Pacific.
• Inspire and expand support in acceleration of the plant-based, fermentation-derived and cultivated meat, egg and dairy industry amongst government agencies and nonprofits.
• Strategize priority markets to focus on in Southeast Asia and develop and maintain a map of the food regulatory landscape, including government policies, priorities and key decision-makers for the top listed countries.
• Securing government support for open-access alternative protein R&D.
• Leverage relationships to drive public funding towards most impactful R&D projects.
• Supporting APAC governments in their aim for clear and efficient regulations so that more foods come to market safely and properly labeled.
• Act as a knowledge partner to governments who are seeking advice while developing their regulations for novel food ingredients.
• Collaborate with colleagues from other GFI offices and external entities and associations to help governments understand the science behind novel food technologies like fermentation and cultivated meat production.
• Advocating for public policy that places all proteins on a level playing field.
• Connecting with civil society, industry and governmental agencies to work towards harmonisation of regulations and fair labeling policies for alternative proteins across Asia Pacific.
• Sharing best practices from the experiences at other GFI entities across the world to secure a smooth implementation of regulatory frameworks for novel foods and labels for alternative proteins in Southeast Asia.
• Identifying new and unique opportunities for engagement with stakeholders, and preparing compelling personalized project initiatives and progress reports.
• Design relevant projects, like roundtable discussions with the relevant government agencies to improve regulatory frameworks.
• Working with intergovernmental organizations to share best practices across the region.
• Presenting insights from across the planet on public sector alternative protein successes.
• Organize webinars and events to showcase best practices from across the globe to inspire Asia Pacific governments to prioritise support for open-access alternative protein R&D.
• Share regional best practices with the other regions where GFI is active, through collaboration with the GFI policy teams on the ground.
• Representing an Asia Pacific regional perspective in global GFI initiatives and projects.
• Representing GFI APAC and the broader global GFI movement in multilateral processes on a case-by-case basis.

Who we’re looking for

Behavioural competencies we are looking for:

• Strategic relationship management.
• Strategy building and execution skills.
• Able to negotiate and influence impactfully.
• Problem solving capabilities.
• Decision making skills.
• Flexibility and ability to manage change.
• Capacity to work independently and effectively.
• An upbeat, engaging personality that will attract new influencers to support our mission.
• Comfort with working remotely and in a rapidly growing and evolving organization.
• Willingness to occasionally travel.
• Strong support for GFI’s philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in public health, environmentalism, animal protection, or hunger relief.

Technical competencies:

• A background in an international organization or governmental organization.
• Strong understanding of political, policy and regulatory processes, able to engage at high levels with government, parliamentary and industry stakeholders on complex regulatory matters.
• A strong understanding of Singapore culture and politics.
• A strong understanding of the diverse Asia Pacific region.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, proficiency in one other Asian language is a plus.

Qualifications & Experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as economics, political science, public policy etc, with a preference for Master degree holders.
• A minimum of five years’ professional experience in a related field.
• A proven track record of a minimum of three years of previous relationship management: cultivating relationships with individuals, government and semi-governmental agencies.

We want the best people and we don’t want biases holding us back. We strongly encourage
people of every color, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability to apply. Because we value a
diverse workplace, we prioritize an inclusive climate absent of discrimination and harassment
during the application process and after you join the team.

The fine print

• Terms of Employment: Full time
• Reports to: Managing Director, GFI APAC
• Location: Singapore
• Salary: Annual salary between SGD85-115K based on qualifications
• Benefits: Working from home, flexible working hours, opportunity to create real impact, respectful managers and supportive colleagues.
• Application deadline: We will be assessing candidates on a rolling basis, so please apply now!
• Application process: Please complete this short form, upload your CV and cover letter. Your cover letter (of 1-2 pages) should set out:
  • What motivated you to apply for this role?
  • How do you meet the requirements listed in the job description?
  • Which bit of the job description energises you the most?

Beyond the initial screening process, there will be several further rounds. We really look
forward to hearing from you!

Any questions? If you have any questions about this role, please do reach out to us at
apacjobs@gfi.org. If you’ve read this far but decided not to apply, please feel free to share this
job description with someone else in your network who you think might be a good fit for the
role. Thank you!