Job Description
Role synopsis The successful incumbent would operate as a BP China central government affairs manager and also BP China political advisor, with the two being closely interrelated with each other.
As central government affairs manager, this role is to develop and implement BP China Government Affairs strategy, relationship matrix and engagement plan.
China is currently experiencing great transformation under the new leadership. There are signs of continued reform and openness across all political, economic and social areas including energy market. However, the energy market is expected to remain highly regulated, with foreign investment continuing to be subject to government approval and involving partnerships with Chinese companies.
BP currently has US$4.4 billion accumulative investment within China and multi-billion dollar partnerships with Chinese NOCs outside China. The company’s interests in China are represented by nearly 17 wholly owned or joint venture companies in many different business lines. BP has more than 1300 employees in China, with another 14600 associates and contractors working in Joint Ventures where it holds extensive interests.
BP’s long term goal with and within China is to create material value growth for BP through becoming China’s trusted energy partner, aligning our ambitions and capabilities with China’s long-term objectives and priorities. Thus, it is imperative for the Company to understand the country, to develop and maintain an institutionalized relationship with relevant government agencies, to understand policies/regulations and geopolitics that have impact on business, as well as to be able to lobby and advocate policies so to help advance business agenda.
To ensure that its investments and operations address the needs and interests of the Chinese government, industry, and people, it is essential that the Company stays closely tuned to the strategic developments and current thinking within key stakeholder organizations. At the same time, with so many different interfaces with these stakeholder organizations, there is a need to ensure our efforts systematic, institutionalized, coherent and consistent.
As a political advisor, this role is to play a key role in helping BP understand and respond to the political environment of China, and to advise on strategic business decisions such as new business opportunities and investments for BP inside and outside China.
First of all, China continues to be one of the world’s largest and most dynamic energy markets driven by its sheer scale of industrialization, urbanization, motorization, as well as internationalization of its products and services. China continues to represent to BP group a material level of potential growth opportunity; at the same time all foreign companies operating in China need to manage non-technical risks derived from the complexity and uncertainty nature of its political, international relations, policy and regulatory environment concerning foreign investment.
The energy market in China are currently being impacted by several dynamics that are continually evolving, including China’s political environment, i.e. deepening of political and economic reform, emphasis on the rule of law in the governance system, and anti-corruption campaign etc.
Secondly, China’s rise in geopolitical and economic importance is set to continue and will become a major world power. On both multi and bilateral relations, under the leadership of the current government China has embargoed a number of new initiatives to enable China to play an increasingly more important role in the world. Already the world's largest and fastest growing energy market, China will have an increasingly significant impact on global energy market, in terms of demand, supply and international relations. Key accountabilities Reporting to BP China VP for Government, Partner and Regulatory Affairs, this role is primarily to act as the expert on advising government affairs and managing government stakeholder relations (primarily at the central government level) to support BP business. The job holder is also accountable for conducting political analysis and providing interpretation, advice and guidance to the Company’s executive leadership helping them make well-informed business decisions & strategies.
The job holder will be required to work internally with senior executives and externally government officials to support mitigation of political risks that have impact on business.
• Implement BP China Government & Partnership Affairs Framework by developing and taking actions on the relationship matrix and engagement plan as well as ensuring that all these activities are aligned with the Company’s business strategies and growth agenda. It is essential to ensure that all the efforts in this regard are systematic, institutionalized, coherent and consistent.
• Develop comprehensive and in-depth knowledge and understanding of government agencies in terms of their organizational structure, priority agenda, and especially their primary roles in relation to the Company’s business, which will be the foundation for delivering all Government Affair activities.
• Establish and maintain sustainable relationships in the stakeholder organizations focusing on central government agencies, with the primary target at the Deputy Director General, Director and/or equivalent levels.
• Interface with and manage the Company’s relationships with key central government agencies, such as but not limited to NEA, MOFCOM, NDRC, MFA, MIIT, MLR, and MEP. As one of the key relationship keepers, build the connectivity and “open the door†for the Company’s executives to meet with senior officials of the above government agencies.
• When necessary, assist the business to get their related approvals, permits and inspection to address business needs and issues. Also if required, lead and conduct policy lobbying and advocacy campaign to help advance the Company’s business agenda.
• Be the expert of China in the sphere of domestic politics and its geopolitical/international relations. Monitor, analyse, and interpret major developments in these areas and provide professional advices on their implications on the Company’s business strategy and operations in China and globally.
• Engage and interact with relevant counterparties from other BP organizations such as Group Executives’ Offices, Group Government & Political Affairs Team, Economics Team and Planning/Strategy Team as well as other regional and country offices such as those in UK, EU, USA, Germany, and Russia.
• Support VP GPA on group executives’ China visits and high-valued outbound visits to the Company by Chinese government and partner delegations by arranging internal and external meeting facilitations, coordination with internal and external parties, logistics and follow ups.
Preferred Requirements
• Support China business development initiatives. Identify, assess, and mitigate key Non-Technical Risks associated with existing and future business projects from government and political affairs perspectives. Essential Education A Bachelors or Master degree from a leading university is required, and an advanced degree in political sciences, law, international relations, or business administration will be considered favourably. Essential experience and job requirements The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 10 years of experience in a leadership role that involves government and political affairs. He/she should also have the ability to persuasively communicate complex concepts and matters at the highest levels of government and business. Experience working for a major MNC in the past is preferred, and experience within Chinese government system is a plus. Global acumen and experience is a must.
•Experience in policy development and implementation with a key Chinese central government agency and possess a thorough understanding of the political culture and government decision-making processes in China.
•A demonstrated ability to develop and maintain stakeholder relations, matrix and engagement plan and to work on complex government and political matters. Relevant experiences in these areas and overseas working experiences are considered favourably.
•A political savvy with a good understanding of China’s long term objective, direction, trend and the ability to conduct in-depth analysis on its political landscape, international relations, and geopolitics and their implications on business.
•Maturity and sound business judgment as well as strong sense of seniority and capability to establish and maintains in-depth relationships with middle and senior level leadership people (e.g. Deputy Director General and Director levels within the government organizations) in various stakeholder organizations that the Company deals with. Other Requirements (eg Travel, Location) •A consultative style would be helpful as the job holder will need to consult with business and functional leaders in order to understand business priorities and requirements.
•Maturity and sound business judgment, and the ability to represent with the company’s values (i.e. safety, respect, excellence, courage, and one team).
•Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
•Highly motivated, energetic and innovative approach to problem solving.
•Fluent Chinese and English, and excellent presentation and writing skills in both English and Chinese. Desirable criteria and qualifications N/A Relocation available No Travel required Yes - up to 10% Is this a part time position? No About BP Our business is the exploration, production, refining, trading and distribution of energy. This is what we do, and we do it on a truly global scale. With a workforce of over 80,000 employees, BP operates with business activities and customers in more than 80 countries across six continents. Every day, we serve millions of customers around the world. We are continually looking for talented, committed and ambitious people to help us shape the face of energy for the future
BP has been operating in China since the early 1970s. With a total investment of US$4.7 billion at the end of 2009, BP is one of the leading foreign investors in China. BP’s business activities include offshore gas production, chemical joint ventures, aviation fuel supply, LPG import and marketing, oil product and lubricant retailing, solar power installations and manufacturing, and the sales of chemicals technology.
In addition to these commercial projects, BP has been actively engaged in energy research activities, particularly clean energy and alternative energy R&D initiatives, aiming to develop clean, sustainable and local energy solutions to support the Chinese economic development. The projects we are involved in include
Clean Energy Facing the Future – a 10-Year R&D initiative in partnership with Chinese Academy of Science
Clean Energy Commercialization Centre, a research joint venture in Partnership with Chinese Academy of Science
BP- Tsinghua Clean Energy Research and Education Centre
BP-Sun Yat-Sen University Center for LNG Education, Training and Research
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