Country Manager - Congo Brazzaville

As the Country Manager at pawaPay, you will lead the company’s operations within Congo Brazzaville, serving as the primary representative and point of contact for stakeholders. This role requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and business growth. This position demands a proactive, strategic, and results-oriented leader who excels in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Your main duties will include:

• Serve as the primary representative and liaison for in-country stakeholders, including regulators, central banks, Mobile Money Operators (MMOs), and financial institutions to unlock any operational issues as they arise
• Develop and nurture high-level partner relationships, particularly with key day to day stakeholders and decision-makers, to facilitate business growth. Collaborate with partners to understand their needs and align strategies for mutual success
• Build and maintain strong relationships with regulatory authorities, ensuring compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements. Collaborate with the local MLRO to align on compliance policies, oversee timely filing of reports to central banks, and represent the company in meetings with regulators to address compliance matters and ensure alignment
• Act as the liaison with local banks to manage account operations, address administrative matters, and resolve issues as they arise. Ensure timely resolution of financial matters with MMOs and local tax authorities
• Develop strong working relationships with MMO account managers and support teams to address and resolve integration or operational issues promptly. This may include; Securing contracts, API documentation, and KYC forms from MMOs to support business development. You may also serve as the escalation point for business operations, resolving service downtimes, operational disruptions, and unresolved issues with MMOs
• Coordinate and facilitate discussions between the Legal team and external stakeholders as needed. In jurisdictions without established legal representation, you may be called on to source for a local legal counsel. Additionally, you may assist in notarizing legal documents, securing required contracts, and liaising with regulatory authorities to support compliance and legal processes
• Oversee local office operations, including lease agreements, utility management, and office maintenance
• Represent the company at industry events and conferences to enhance visibility and cultivate partnerships
• Local Market Intelligence – deliver comprehensive insights on market competition, payment trends, and regulatory developments to inform and support strategic decision-making. Provide regulatory intelligence to ensure compliance with local laws, tax regulations, and financial reporting standards.

Additional Responsibilities

• Prepare and submit monthly board reports and participate in quarterly and annual board meetings
• Act as a Company Director and authorized bank account signatory, executing required documents and instructions
• Manage strategic relationships with C-level stakeholders, including MMOs, banks, and regulators
• Attending legal hearings in litigation proceedings concerning pawaPay in the country
• Act as Company Directors and Bank Account signatories, executing required functions like signing of documents, sending instructions to the banks etc. as required
• Stepping in as a backup Country Managers in Other countries when the CMs are on leave.

What is required of the ideal candidate?

• Confident communicator with keen attention to detail
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field (MBA preferred)
• 8+ years of experience in general management, regulatory compliance, or operational leadership, preferably in the fintech, telecom, or banking sector
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with regulators, financial institutions, and Telcos
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements in African markets
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to manage cross-functional teams in a matrixed organization
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
• Fluency in English; proficiency in additional local languages is an advantage
• Excellent negotiations skills and a can-do attitude
• Flexibility in working hours - availability to attend to Support requests around the clock
• A team player: demonstrates passion, energy, drive, and a willingness to collaborate with an ambitious team internationally
• Responsible: willing to take initiative as well as ownership of tasks and follow them through to completion
• Previous experience in working with local Telcos or within the banking, fintech or payments industry will be considered as an advantage.