Position Summary

This position is responsible for supporting and promoting evidence-based International Council of Beverages Associations positions before governments and regulatory agencies in order to ensure a fair playing field in markets around the globe. This position works directly with the ICBA Executive Director to help with advocacy and position development on key regulatory issues of priority interest to the global beverage industry. In addition, the position works with ICBA regional and national beverage associations to facilitate harmonization and ensure message alignment. The position also works as directed directly with ICBA member companies to advance positive outcomes on issues and further develop workstreams on priority issues. The position requires a strong ability to learn, understand and communicate issues related to the global beverage industry. It requires developing issue materials, written comments, building consensus among members, and speaking on behalf of the industry in meetings with government and other stakeholders.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Work closely with the ICBA Executive Director on workstreams and output related to Member Task Forces, including but not limited to food labeling, food ingredients, marketing and sustainability.
• Provide hands-on support to ICBA national and regional beverage associations in developing regulatory advocacy positions to assist in defending the beverage industry’s market access in their respective country/countries.
• Review and analyze proposed regulations from countries around the globe for their impact on the beverage industry. This will include the development of written comments for submission through, among others, the WTO notification process.
• Work as appropriate with certain US government agencies (Commerce, USTR, USDA Foreign Ag Service) to convey the global beverage industry’s trade and commercial interests and perspective on issues.
• Assist with ICBA Codex advocacy and position development on identified priority issues concerning international food standards and guidelines.
• Represent ICBA as requested by the Executive Director in stakeholder meetings, including allied trade association meetings, government meetings and other identified relationship-building opportunities.
• Participate in and inform on relevant industry committees, conferences and webinars.
• The ability to travel, including internationally, up to 15% of the time as needed including overnight.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Education/Experience – Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university; and minimum 3-5 years with a focus on international regulations or international government affairs.
• Strong analytic and critical thinking skills, with proven ability to understand policies and issues, their potential impact and possible opportunities for connectivity with industry priorities. The ability to then capture these elements in a concise, easy-to-understand and utilize manner, and communicate them effectively to various stakeholder audiences, both internal (ICBA and its members) and external.
• A skilled communicator – verbal and written – who can meet people where they are on the understanding and utility of policies or issues. An active communicator who can work with multiple stakeholders and stay ahead of the curve on issues.
• The ability to develop materials, plans, projects, or whatever is needed, from whole cloth. An ability to work independently as well as part of a cohesive, high-functioning team. The ability to think strategically, creatively and see a project through to fruition.
• Team-oriented.  Must be a team-first person, who can effectively bridge between other members of the ICBA team. Able to exhibit honesty, respect for others. Someone who values a team atmosphere and who enhances the performance of those around them.
• Strong people skills. Must be able to bring people together toward a common goal or solution. This includes bringing competitors together in working with each other as well as bringing co-workers together on projects. Must be confident and able to work productively with executives within industry and at companies who may be more senior in title and experience.
• Strong under pressure. Can handle deadlines and high-pressure situations with assurance and produce high quality work. A strong commitment to attention to detail, including (and especially) under stressful circumstances.
• Dedicated. To the organization, colleagues, members and the long-term health of the industry. Knows the importance of being here and getting the job done. A desire to be part of something special.
• Ability to speak and write a second language is a plus. Knowledge, courtesy and interest in other cultures and geographies is a must. 
• General familiarity with Codex Alimentarius is a plus.