Senior Specialist - Media Strategy & Policy Development

Dubai Government; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Dubai Media Council seeks a Senior Specialist Strategy to support the development of media strategies, policy frameworks, governance initiatives and regulatory recommendations for growth in Dubai’s media and gaming sectors.

The role involves strategic analyses, evidence-based policy recommendations, collaboration with research teams and alignment with national priorities, ensuring timely delivery and strong cross-functional teamwork.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in research, policy analysis, economics, strategy, market intelligence or a related analytical field.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex research projects, benchmarking studies and strategic analyses.
• Experience preparing research papers, policy briefs, executive reports and evidence-based recommendations for senior decision-makers.
• Experience working within government, regulatory authorities, public policy organisations, consulting, academia or highly regulated industries is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Implement strategy and policy development activities aligned to the organisation's goals.
• Collaborate with internal teams to deliver research, benchmarking studies, market intelligence and evidence-based recommendations.
• Provide strategic briefing materials and support stakeholder engagements to inform decision-making.
• Monitor implementation progress and assess policy and strategy outcomes for refinement.
• Support cross-functional initiatives to incorporate strategy and policy considerations into planning and execution.

Skills

Research methodology

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Market analysis

Policy analysis

Impact assessment

Statistical analysis

Report writing

Arabic and English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Business Administration, Political Science, Statistics, Media Studies, International Relations

Master’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, MBA, Media Studies, Research Methods

Professional certification in Research Methods or Data Analysis

Job description

About Dubai Media Council

The Dubai Media Council is the government authority responsible for regulating and developing Dubai’s media sector, strengthening the emirate’s position as a leading regional and global media hub through progressive policies, innovation, and talent development.

Job Purpose

The Senior Specialist Strategy is responsible for supporting the development of media strategies, policy frameworks, governance initiatives, and regulatory recommendations that contribute to the growth and competitiveness of Dubai’s media and gaming sectors. The role holder conducts strategic analysis, develops policy recommendations, evaluates regulatory approaches, and supports the implementation and monitoring of strategic initiatives. The role holder works closely with research and analytics teams to translate evidence-based insights into practical strategies and policy recommendations. The role-holder is expected to demonstrate strong teamwork skills and carry out his/her duties in accordance with the relevant business policies and procedures.

Key Accountabilities

General Responsibilities

• Implement the operational requirements for Media Strategy and Policy Development, in line with the overall strategy, vision and goals.
• Work collaboratively with the Media Strategy and Policy Development team and wider Media Governance department to ensure smooth and on‑time delivery of services to stakeholders.
• Provide metrics and supporting documents to the Head of Media Strategy and Policy Development, to support monthly KPI reports.

Strategy Development and Planning

• Develop strategic analyses and recommendations to support the long‑term competitiveness and growth of Dubai’s media and gaming sectors.
• Support the development of sector strategies and implementation roadmaps, ensuring strategic priorities are translated into actionable plans.
• Assess global trends and emerging developments to identify strategic opportunities and potential risks.
• Evaluate strategic initiatives and programs to guide resource allocation toward high‑impact activities and investments.
• Contribute to long‑term planning exercises, helping DMC remain aligned with future industry developments and national priorities.

Policy Analysis and Development

• Conduct policy analysis activities to develop evidence‑based recommendations for leadership consideration.
• Review existing policies and frameworks to identify enhancement opportunities and regulatory gaps.
• Support the drafting of policy papers, guidelines and frameworks, ensuring consistency in policy implementation and interpretation.
• Analyze international regulatory approaches to identify best practices that may be adapted to Dubai’s context.
• Identify policy gaps and emerging regulatory requirements, enabling proactive policy development and regulatory readiness.

Regulatory Research and Benchmarking

• Conduct benchmarking exercises to compare Dubai’s regulatory frameworks against leading international jurisdictions.
• Analyze international case studies and governance models, extracting lessons that may inform future policy development.
• Develop benchmarking reports that provide leadership teams with actionable insights and comparative analysis.
• Monitor emerging regulatory developments globally, keeping DMC informed of evolving practices and trends.
• Support comparative assessments of regulatory performance to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Strategic Advisory and Stakeholder Support

• Prepare strategic briefing materials, providing leadership teams with clear and evidence‑based decision support.
• Support policy consultations and stakeholder engagements to ensure multiple perspectives are considered during strategy development.
• Provide strategic advice on assigned projects, helping align decisions with broader sector objectives and priorities.
• Collaborate with Data & Analytics and Studies & Research teams to strengthen the evidence base underpinning strategic recommendations.
• Support cross‑functional initiatives, ensuring strategy and policy considerations are incorporated into planning and execution activities.

Strategy Monitoring and Impact Assessment

• Monitor implementation progress of strategic initiatives to ensure delivery remains aligned with approved plans and objectives.
• Assess policy and strategy outcomes to evaluate effectiveness and identify areas for refinement.
• Develop impact assessment reports, providing insights into outcomes, benefits and improvement opportunities.
• Track strategic KPIs and performance measures to support consistent monitoring and reporting.
• Recommend refinements to strategies and policies, contributing to stronger outcomes and long‑term sector development.

Key Interactions & Nature of Interaction

Internal

• Collaborate with the Head of Studies and Research to develop and deliver DMC’s research agenda, ensuring studies align with strategic priorities and governance objectives.
• Work closely with the Head of Media Strategy & Policy Development and the Head of Data & Analytics to integrate research findings into policy development, strategic planning and performance measurement.
• Support Executive Directors, Directors, Heads and business units across DMC by delivering research, benchmarking studies, market intelligence and evidence‑based recommendations that inform decision‑making.

External

• Engage with government entities, regulatory authorities and international organisations to obtain research data, benchmark practices and support collaborative policy initiatives.
• Liaise with media organisations, broadcasters, publishers, gaming companies and other industry stakeholders to collect market intelligence and understand emerging sector developments.

Technical Skills

• Expert: Research methodology design and programme management.
• Expert: Qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
• Expert: Market analysis, benchmarking and sector intelligence.
• Advanced: Policy analysis, impact assessment and strategic evaluation.
• Advanced: Statistical analysis and interpretation of research findings.
• Advanced: Report writing, executive briefings and presentation of complex information.
• Proficient: Command of written and spoken Arabic and English.

Behavioral Competencies

• Evoking and Disseminating Positive Energy – Proficient
• Community Focus and Responsiveness to its Needs – Proficient
• Time Management and Task Prioritisation – Proficient
• Excellence in Execution – Proficient
• Continuous Learning and Improvement – Proficient

Experience Required

Functional Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in research, policy analysis, economics, strategy, market intelligence or a related analytical field.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex research projects, benchmarking studies and strategic analyses.
• Experience preparing research papers, policy briefs, executive reports and evidence‑based recommendations for senior decision‑makers.
• Experience working within government, regulatory authorities, public policy organisations, consulting, academia or highly regulated industries is preferred.
• Experience collaborating with research institutions, international organisations or cross‑sector stakeholders is advantageous.

Leadership/Supervisory

• NA

Education and Qualification Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Business Administration, Political Science, Statistics, Media Studies, International Relations, Social Sciences or a related discipline.
• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, Business Administration (MBA), Media Studies, Research Methods or a related discipline is preferred.
• Professional certification in Research Methods, Market Research, Data Analysis, Policy Evaluation or Project Management or a related discipline is advantageous.

Key Performance Indicators

• Research Support Impact: Percentage of research reports that resulted in implemented changes.
• Research Support: Number of effective research reports delivered for DMC departments.
• Gap Analyses and Benchmarking Impact: Percentage of analyses and benchmarking reports that were used in decision‑making.
• Gap Analyses and Benchmarking: Number of analyses and benchmarking reports completed.