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Public Affairs Strategy & Government Engagement Programme

Diplomacy & Public Affairs

Introduction

Course Introduction

Public affairs professionals face mounting pressure to deliver strategic influence amid complex regulatory environments, shifting political priorities and heightened stakeholder expectations. This public affairs strategy training provides leaders with structured frameworks for analysing political landscapes, mapping stakeholder ecosystems and developing integrated government engagement strategies that align organisational objectives with public policy priorities. Participants gain practical capability to build credible relationships with government stakeholders, anticipate regulatory developments and manage policy risk proactively. The government engagement programme ensures participants can translate strategic insight into actionable plans that protect reputation and create sustainable competitive advantage. This course can be facilitated in London, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Nairobi, and other major business centres on client-preferred dates.

Why Choose This Course?

Develop strategic public affairs frameworks that enable proactive rather than reactive engagement with government and regulatory stakeholders
Build credible, influential relationships with policymakers that enhance organisational reputation and create opportunities for constructive policy dialogue
Anticipate and manage regulatory and policy risks more effectively through systematic horizon scanning and strategic stakeholder engagement
Strengthen organisational capability to influence public policy outcomes in ways that support business objectives and societal value creation
Integrate public affairs considerations into corporate strategy, risk management and communications functions for greater organisational coherence
Establish measurable public affairs performance systems that demonstrate clear return on investment and inform continuous improvement

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5 Days

13 Jul – 17 Jul 2026

Cairo

£3,815

Choose the date and location that suits you:

Cairo

13 Jul – 17 Jul 2026

£3,815

Baku

10 Aug – 14 Aug 2026

£3,815

Dubai

31 Aug – 04 Sep 2026

£3,815

Vienna

28 Sep – 09 Oct 2026

£7,675

Paris

02 Nov – 06 Nov 2026

£4,175

Who Should Attend ?

Directors of Government Affairs accountable for strategic government engagement, policy influence and organisational positioning in complex regulatory environments
Heads of Public Policy responsible for leading engagement teams, shaping advocacy strategies and advising senior leadership on government relations
Government Relations Managers tasked with developing and executing stakeholder engagement plans and maintaining day-to-day government interactions
Public Affairs Managers responsible for aligning public affairs messaging with broader organisational communications and reputation management
Policy Advisers supporting policy analysis, advocacy planning and cross-functional coordination on government affairs initiatives
Government Relations Analysts conducting political monitoring, research and preparation of briefing materials for senior-level stakeholder engagement

Learning Objectives

By the end of this programme, participants will be able to:
Design integrated public affairs strategies that align organisational objectives with government policy priorities and stakeholder expectations across complex regulatory environments
Conduct comprehensive political landscape analysis and stakeholder mapping to identify influence opportunities, risks and engagement pathways
Develop and execute government engagement plans that build credible, trust-based relationships with policymakers and public sector stakeholders
Apply strategic advocacy and communication techniques to influence policy outcomes while maintaining ethical standards and transparency
Establish robust systems for monitoring regulatory change, managing policy risk and ensuring organisational compliance and resilience
Prepare for and manage government relations crises with effective communication protocols that protect reputation and maintain stakeholder confidence
Measure and demonstrate the impact of public affairs activities through clear performance frameworks and evaluation methodologies
Build sustainable organisational public affairs capability through leadership engagement, training systems and continuous improvement processes

Course Delivery Approach

Structured multi-strand learning journey that integrates political analysis, stakeholder strategy development, relationship-building skills and performance measurement across interconnected modules
Facilitated workshops applying strategic frameworks to realistic organisational scenarios with expert guidance and peer collaboration
Case study analysis of public affairs successes and challenges drawn from diverse government and corporate contexts to extract transferable lessons
Hands-on stakeholder mapping and strategy development exercises enabling participants to create complete government engagement plans for their own organisational contexts
Simulation activities and role-play focused on high-stakes government interactions, difficult conversations and crisis response situations
Personal application projects with structured coaching that support immediate translation of course concepts into current professional responsibilities and upcoming challenges

Course Syllabus

01 Foundations of Public Affairs Strategy and Government Relations
Understanding the strategic role of public affairs in achieving organisational objectives within complex policy and regulatory environments
Examining the principles of effective government engagement and the value of building long-term, trust-based relationships with public sector stakeholders
Identifying the key components of a successful public affairs strategy including research, planning, execution and evaluation
Recognising the ethical foundations and transparency requirements that underpin credible public affairs practice
Mapping the interface between public affairs, corporate strategy, risk management and stakeholder communications
Establishing the organisational case for investing in structured public affairs capability and professional development
02 Political Landscape Analysis and Stakeholder Mapping
Conducting systematic analysis of political, regulatory and policy environments to identify opportunities, risks and influence pathways
Developing comprehensive stakeholder maps that identify key government actors, decision-makers, influencers and potential allies or opponents
Applying open government principles and transparency frameworks to enhance credibility and reduce perception of undue influence
Utilising research methods, intelligence gathering and horizon scanning to anticipate policy developments and legislative changes
Prioritising stakeholders based on influence, interest and alignment with organisational objectives
Creating dynamic stakeholder engagement plans that adapt to changing political contexts and organisational priorities
03 Developing Integrated Government Engagement Strategies
Designing multi-channel government engagement strategies that align with broader organisational goals and public policy priorities
Integrating public affairs objectives into corporate planning, risk management and communications functions
Developing clear messaging frameworks, policy positions and advocacy narratives that resonate with government audiences
Establishing governance structures, roles and approval processes for government engagement activities
Balancing proactive relationship-building with reactive issue management and crisis response capabilities
Creating implementation road maps with clear milestones, responsibilities and resource requirements
04 Building and Maintaining Credible Government Relationships
Practising techniques for initiating, nurturing and sustaining productive relationships with government officials and policymakers at various levels
Understanding the protocols, etiquette and professional norms that govern effective interactions with public sector stakeholders
Developing skills in briefing, presenting and communicating complex issues to busy government audiences with clarity and impact
Managing expectations, building trust and demonstrating organisational value through consistent, transparent engagement
Handling difficult conversations, disagreements and conflicting priorities with diplomacy and professionalism
Establishing internal systems for tracking interactions, managing contacts and ensuring institutional memory in government relations
05 Policy Advocacy, Influence and Strategic Communication
Developing evidence-based policy advocacy approaches that contribute constructively to public policy development
Crafting compelling submissions, position papers and presentations that influence legislative and regulatory outcomes
Utilising coalition-building, partnership strategies and third-party advocacy to amplify organisational voice
Managing media and public communications in support of government engagement objectives while maintaining appropriate boundaries
Navigating the ethical considerations and disclosure requirements associated with advocacy and lobbying activities
Measuring and communicating the impact of advocacy efforts on policy development and organisational interests
06 Managing Regulatory Change, Compliance and Policy Risk
Establishing robust systems for monitoring, interpreting and responding to regulatory developments and policy shifts
Integrating public affairs insights into organisational risk management, compliance and strategic planning processes
Developing contingency plans and scenario-based strategies for managing policy uncertainty and regulatory change
Engaging constructively with regulators and policymakers during consultation processes and implementation phases
Building organisational resilience through proactive relationship management and early engagement in emerging policy issues
Ensuring alignment between public affairs activities, legal compliance and corporate governance standards
07 Crisis Communication and Reputation Protection in Government Relations
Preparing for and managing government relations crises including regulatory investigations, policy controversies and reputational challenges
Developing crisis communication protocols that maintain credibility with government stakeholders while protecting organisational interests
Coordinating internal response teams, external advisors and government liaison during high-pressure situations
Learning from past crises and near-misses to strengthen future preparedness and organisational learning
Balancing transparency requirements with legal and commercial sensitivities in crisis situations
Rebuilding trust and relationships with government stakeholders following incidents or controversies
08 Measuring Impact, Evaluation and Building Sustainable Public Affairs Capability
Designing performance metrics, KPIs and evaluation frameworks for public affairs and government engagement activities
Conducting regular reviews and impact assessments to demonstrate value and inform strategic adjustments
Developing internal training, capability building and knowledge management systems that sustain high standards of public affairs practice
Integrating public affairs considerations into leadership development, succession planning and organisational culture
Positioning public affairs as a strategic function that contributes to long-term organisational success and societal value
Creating continuous improvement cycles that incorporate feedback, emerging best practices and evolving stakeholder expectations

Organisational Impact

Enhanced strategic alignment between organisational objectives and government policy environments through more effective public affairs practice
Reduced regulatory and reputational risk through proactive stakeholder engagement and early identification of policy developments
Improved ability to influence policy outcomes in support of organisational interests and broader public value
Stronger internal integration of public affairs with strategy, risk, compliance and communications functions
Greater organisational resilience and adaptability in navigating complex, changing regulatory and political landscapes
Sustainable improvement in government relations capability that protects and enhances organisational reputation over time

Personal Impact

Advanced strategic expertise in public affairs strategy development, government engagement and policy influence at organisational level
Enhanced capability to lead government relations functions, advise senior leaders and represent the organisation in high-level stakeholder interactions
Clearer professional pathway towards senior roles in government affairs, public policy, external relations and corporate affairs leadership
Immediately applicable skills in stakeholder mapping, strategy development, advocacy and crisis management that strengthen current responsibilities
Expanded perspective on the strategic value of transparent, ethical public affairs practices in building long-term organisational success
Greater personal confidence and credibility when engaging with government stakeholders, presenting policy positions and managing complex stakeholder dynamics
General Notes
Sector customisation available on request
Training material provided
Elevoris Certificate of Training issued to all participants
Optional post-programme advisory coaching available
Effective public affairs strategy and skilled government engagement are essential for organisations seeking to navigate regulatory complexity, influence policy outcomes and build enduring stakeholder trust. By mastering these capabilities, professionals position their organisations to anticipate change, manage risk and contribute constructively to the policy environments in which they operate.
Enrol now in the Public Affairs Strategy & Government Engagement Programme to develop the strategic frameworks, relationship-building expertise and policy influence skills required to lead with confidence in complex government and stakeholder environments.

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