Vice President of International Advocacy

Job Descriptions:About this Role:The World Council of Credit Unions ("WOCCU") is seeking a Vice President of International Advocacy to act as WOCCU’s chief advocacy officer and advocacy spokesperson, providing outstanding advocacy services to its members and in representation of the global credit union industry. The incumbent will lead the Advocacy team to undertake analysis, strategy development and advocacy for WOCCU members with a focus on the global standard setting bodies. They will support national credit union organizations in legislative and regulation analysis, education, and advocacy. They will also respond to member needs and requests regarding regulatory challenges; anticipate and mitigate the impact of internationally driven legislative and regulatory changes that may burden or adversely impact cooperative financial institutions. About Us:The World Council of Credit Unions ("WOCCU") is the global trade association and development organization for the world’s credit unions and financial cooperatives. WOCCU engages in advocacy, development and education to champion and grow credit unions and cooperative finance worldwide, under the belief that all people should have access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable financial services. WOCCU’s financial inclusion programs reach rural and remote areas through its unparalleled global footprint - a network of over 82,000 institutions owned by over 400 million members in 100 countries. For more information please visit: https://www.woccu.org. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:Legislative and Regulatory Strategy Development: Develop and implement an effective strategy for advocating the interests of WOCCU’s members before international and national policy making and regulatory bodies. Identify key trends and telegraph forthcoming actions in the legislative regulatory arena. Establish priorities and strategies for addressing key legislative and regulatory issues. Recommend strategic action plan and policy direction for legislative and regulatory affairs.

Manage WOCCU’s Advocacy program that allows credit unions to influence and shape public policy that supports the safety and soundness of credit unions, defends credit unions against unnecessary regulatory burden, protects the competitive capacity of credit unions, and empowers credit unions to better serve their members.

Work across internal and external stakeholders to enhance understanding about the trends and needs of enabling regulations to advance financial inclusion. Meet with global standard setting bodies, policy makers and members to advocate for credit union interests as critical actors in advancing financial inclusion globally.

Oversee and/or write legislative and regulatory updates, reports and communiques for members. Maintain high content quality and frequency of advocacy communications.

Provide high quality written submissions to regulators or other key stakeholders.

Represent the industry in political, regulatory and public forums.

Serve as primary spokesperson for WOCCU on Advocacy in the US and globally; participate in WOCCU member events to speak to relevant legislative and regulatory issues.

Analyze member demands and market trends. Provide a focal point for member advocacy issues and communications. Utilizing survey and other third-party data, collect and disseminate specific legislative and regulatory information.

Work with other departments in WOCCU to communicate and educate members and credit unions on key issues.

International Advocacy: Support members by proactively engaging in policy dialogue with international standard setting bodies such as the International Accounting Standards Board, Bank for International Settlements, Financial Action Task Force, Group of 20 and others. Work with policymakers, industry and government officials to ensure appropriate and proportional supervisory and legislative environment for credit unions.

Facilitate the global exchange of issues, impacts, advocacy programs and compliance strategies for legislative and regulatory issues.

Direct WOCCU’s consultant and advocacy in the European Union and coordinate the activities of the European Network of Credit Unions.

Direct and provide technical support for WOCCU’s Regional Latin America Advocacy Network to identify and respond to Latin American member’s legislative and regulatory issues.

Ensure proactive and clear communication with and network with global bodies to raise the awareness and profile of WOCCU and financial cooperatives with global standard setting bodies. Draft and/or oversee the drafting of talking points, letters, testimony, position papers as appropriate.

National-Level Advocacy: Support members in their lobbying efforts to improve the legislative and regulatory environments for credit unions.

On behalf and at the request of members, provide analytical review or local advocacy support for legislative and regulatory development. Analyze the legislation and regulations proposed around the world to identify trends and determine effective strategies to promote favorable credit union laws and combat unfavorable legislation and regulation.

Understand credit union operations and the impact of legislation and regulation issues on the credit unions. Analyze technical problems and issues, identify credit union impacts and provide political expertise on legislative and regulatory challenges.

Develop favorable credit union legislation and regulation models to be used around the world. Oversee and update legislative / regulatory tools such as the Model Regulations for Credit Unions

Work with national members and regional associations to support their advocacy programs, track response and create a measurable impact to reduce and avoid regulatory burden for credit unions.

Supervisory/Administrative: Work closely with WOCCU President & CEO to develop and execute on strategy related to Advocacy. Lead a team to manage all technical, budgetary and promotional aspects of Advocacy.

Foster an internal culture aligned to WOCCU vision, values and strategic priorities.

Work collaboratively with the Leadership Team and demonstrate the flexibility and resilience to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges.

Provide leadership and supervision for direct reports, enabling them to work effectively and achieve professional growth, in alignment with strategic and operational goals.

Prepare and submit WOCCU’s annual work plans and budget proposals annually. Monitor progress against work plan activities and team performance in achieving goals.

Anticipate requests for information and provide timely and regular to the board of directors and other key stakeholders as required.

Required Experience:QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum of 7 years of leadership experience, with demonstrated success in leading high-performing teams in the area of Advocacy.

Proven track record in Advocacy work preferably in financial services-related industry with a trade association, lobbying firm, policy or regulatory body. Direct experience with and/or strong familiarity with credit unions and financial cooperatives preferred.

Exceptional relationship manager with the ability to quickly build rapport, gain trust, and establish cooperation with high level officials, credit union members, other advocacy representatives and diverse stakeholders.

Demonstrated orientation to member engagement and mindset for high-level to customer service and responsiveness to members and member needs as it relates to Advocacy requests and educational support.

Demonstrated experience with writing and reviewing financial sector legislation and regulations, including experience with the international standard setting bodies (e.g. Basel, International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), Financial Action TaskForce (FATF)) as well as central banks and other relevant policy and regulatory bodies.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to convey complex issues in clear and simple terms; and in persuasive oral and written presentations, position papers, comment letters, and briefs.

Strong technical skills in understanding regulations and guidance coming out of the international standard setters for banking and finance legislation including trending issues in areas such as cybersecurity, payments, ESG, open banking, IFRS-9, among others.

Strong analysis and critical thinking skills with a proven ability to see the big picture, recognize trends, analyze data, and make strategic recommendations

A high level of ethics, integrity, and accountability, with an ability to use discretion and sound judgment.

Exceptional ability to engage with and work across cultures and nationalities.

Committed to WOCCU’s mission of advancing financial inclusion through credit unions and the cooperative model as a way to ensure all people everywhere have the tools and resources to live a fulfilling life.

Bachelor's degree required; master’s or above degree in economics, banking, finance, law, international affairs, or relevant field preferred.

COMPETENCIES:Oral and Written Communications - Communicates clearly in oral presentations in small and large groups in multi-cultural settings; able to convey ideas and exemplify positive presence in front of key audiences and stakeholders. Excellent writing skills and analysis, including the ability to draft complex policies and procedures in user-friendly manner and to communicate concepts and ideas effectively with proficient grammar and punctuation. Quality/Detail-Oriented - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality. Serves as the final reviewer for reports and project deliverables. Leadership and Teamwork - Able to balance being team leader and team player; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; demonstrates commitment to value diversity and contribute to an inclusive working environment; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed. Interpersonal Skills: Good interpersonal skills required to maintain effective working relationships within and outside of WOCCU. Demonstrated ability to work as a team player towards organizational goals and objectives. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to coordinate and monitor work flows to and from multiple sources. Language Skills: Fluency in English required. Second language (Spanish, French, Portuguese) desired. Computer Skills: Working knowledge of the web with proven skills in Microsoft Suite products SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Yes.TRAVEL: Ability to travel internationally approximately 30% of the time.This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and can be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management deems necessary.We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without consideration of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.Keyword: Vice President of International AdvocacyFrom: World Council of Credit Unions