Head of Policy

The Good Food Institute

The Good Food Institute (GFI) is an international network of nonprofit think tanks working to build a more sustainable, secure, and just food system. In partnership with scientists, corporates, and policymakers, we accelerate the development and adoption of plant-based, fermentation-enabled, and cultivated proteins. Our goal is to make these foods delicious, affordable, and accessible to consumers around the world.

Powered by philanthropy, GFI advances alternative proteins as a critical solution to some of the world's most pressing challenges, including climate change, food security, public health, and biodiversity loss. Our mission is simple: A thriving world, fed sustainably.

About the role

Policy plays a critical role in determining how quickly alternative proteins can develop and scale. Governments shape research funding, regulatory pathways, innovation ecosystems, and broader food system priorities. As Head of Policy, you will help ensure that alternative proteins are part of these conversations across the Asia-Pacific region.

This is a senior leadership role within GFI APAC. You will set the direction for our policy work, lead a small team of policy professionals, and build relationships with key stakeholders and partners. You will also help identify where GFI APAC can have the greatest impact and translate that into practical policy strategies.

GFI APAC evolves from a primarily regional model to a more country-focused approach. GFI Japan and GFI Korea lead policy engagement in their respective markets, while GFI APAC policy team members focus on Southeast Asia and work closely with our strategic partner in Australia, Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA). Alongside these country efforts, GFI APAC also engages with regional and multilateral institutions where coordinated action can advance alternative proteins across multiple markets. As Head of Policy, you will provide strategic oversight and support across these country programmes while also leading policy initiatives that transcend national boundaries.

How you will make a difference 

1. Set the strategic direction for GFI APAC's policy work and execute effectively

You will lead the development and implementation of GFI APAC's policy strategy, ensuring alignment with our long-term goals and organisational priorities. Key responsibilities include:

• Developing regional and multilateral policy strategies, including engagement with international organisations, regional institutions, and cross-border initiatives.

• Providing strategic oversight and guidance to country-level policy strategies across APAC.

• Identifying emerging opportunities, risks, and priority markets.

• Supporting the effective execution of policy plans and ensuring resources are focused on the highest-impact opportunities.

2. Advance GFI APAC's mission through external engagement

A significant part of this role involves building relationships and representing GFI externally to accelerate innovation and the adoption of alternative proteins. Key responsibilities include:

• Building and maintaining relationships with external, senior key stakeholders and partners.

• Developing coalitions and partnerships that strengthen the alternative protein ecosystem.

• Representing GFI APAC in meetings, events, and media engagements.

• Maintaining a strong understanding of the policy and stakeholder landscape across APAC and identifying opportunities to increase GFI's influence, credibility and effectiveness. 

• Working closely with colleagues across GFI, such as Communications and Development, to maximise impact.

3. Lead and empower the policy team

• Managing, supporting, and developing two Policy team members.

• Setting clear priorities and performance expectations.

• Overseeing budgets, team development and other line management duties.

• Supporting strategic activities from CAA, mentoring policy specialists in GFI Korea and GFI Japan and ensuring alignment across the region.

• Helping the team translate ambitious strategies into practical execution.

• Creating a collaborative, evidence-based, inclusive, and outcome-oriented team culture, and actively nurturing a strong sense of belonging and shared purpose within a remote and internationally distributed team.

• Creating a collaborative, evidence-based, inclusive, and outcome-oriented team culture, and actively nurturing a strong sense of belonging and shared purpose within a remote and internationally distributed team.

4. Strengthen alignment across GFI

You will work closely with colleagues across GFI to ensure that the Policy Team contributes effectively to shared organisational goals. Key responsibilities include:

• Building strong internal partnerships across GFI APAC’s programmatic teams, such as the Corporate Engagement team, to ensure industry insights inform policy priorities and to identify opportunities where policy, public investment, and government partnerships can strengthen the enabling environment for organisations to scale.

• Representing GFI APAC within GFI's global policy community and contributing to organisation-wide policy initiatives, such as the multilateral working group. Through these engagements, you will ensure APAC’s work is informed by and contributes to GFI’s broader strategy.

• Contributing to cross-functional projects where policy insights or relationships can strengthen impact.

As part of a small, agile team, you will also contribute wherever needed to advance organisational priorities, including providing interim coverage for other policy team members when required.

The ideal candidate will have

• A bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, economics, law, environmental studies, or a related field. A master’s degree is an advantage.

• At least 10 years of relevant experience, of which at least 3 in a management capacity, in policy, public affairs, diplomacy, government relations, and/or regulatory affairs within APAC, gained in organisations such as government agencies, regulatory bodies, public investment banks, NGOs, think tanks, or multilateral institutions.

• A strong network of relevant policy, government, and industry contacts across the APAC region.

• Demonstrated success in developing and executing policy strategies and influencing policy outcomes through engagement with government officials, regulators, or multilateral institutions across APAC.

• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and public speaking skills in English; proficiency in an additional Asian language is an advantage.

• Strong organisational and project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence, collaborate, and build effective coalitions.

• Experience leading, managing, and developing teams.

Who you are

• Deeply committed to GFI APAC’s mission, and demonstrated interest in alternative proteins, public health, environmentalism, climate change, animal protection, and/or hunger relief.

• Able to quickly develop expertise in complex subject areas, including food systems, alternative proteins, their underlying science, and the policy levers needed to accelerate their adoption.

• A confident and persuasive communicator who contributes ideas, constructively challenges assumptions, and is comfortable representing the organisation as a speaker, panellist, or facilitator.

• A skilled relationship-builder who succeeds at engaging with stakeholders and cultivating professional networks across sectors.

• Bold, proactive, entrepreneurial, and outcome-oriented, with a strong sense of ownership and the ability to turn opportunities into strategies and action.

• Adaptable and resilient, able to navigate shifting priorities and thrive in a dynamic and evolving environment.

• Willingness to travel regularly across APAC for industry engagement, stakeholder meetings, and sector events, as well as periodic global GFI meetings and collaboration forums.

• Comfortable working remotely and collaborating effectively across countries, cultures, and time zones within an international nonprofit organisation.

We want the best people and we don’t want biases holding us back. We strongly encourage people of every colour, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability to apply. Because we value a diverse workplace, we prioritise 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: Chief of Staff, GFI APAC 

• Location: APAC region

• Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working from home and one weekly office day; flexible working hours; a competitive leave and benefits package; the opportunity to create meaningful impact; collaboration with supportive colleagues and respectful managers; and a yearly in-person retreat.

• Application process: 

1. Please submit your application through this application form

2. An initial screening conversation with our recruitment partner, Impact Ops

3. An interview with the GFI APAC team

4. Additional assessment and interview stage(s), depending on the candidate’s profile and previous rounds

• Application deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible, as the position may close once a successful candidate has been identified.
  
  We know what AI can do; here, we are hoping to get to know you. Please prepare your application in your own voice so that we can better understand your experience, motivations, and perspective.

If you have any questions about the role, application process, or expected timelines, please contact us at [email protected]. Thank you!