The Role
The Government Relations Manager will manage relationships with governmental bodies, oversee regulatory approvals, and monitor policy changes affecting operations.
Summary Generated by Built In
Our Client is a renewable energy company, providing sustainable and cost-effective solar power solutions across urban and rural communities in Nigeria.
They are looking to hire a Government Relations Manager to build a primary interface with local, state and federal government authorities,
regulatory bodies, and relevant parastatal. The Government Relations Manager will build, manage, and maintain the
relationships required to secure timely permits, licences, approvals, and policy alignment across all of the company's operational and pipeline states.
Job Responsibilities
Regulatory & Permit Management
- Own and drive the end-to-end process for obtaining all government permits, licences, and
regulatory approvals (NERC, NEMSA, State Electricity Regulatory Commissions,
environmental agencies, Lands & Building agency bureaus and local government authorities)
across the company's project portfolio.
- Track permit timelines and proactively escalate bottlenecks, ensuring project delivery
schedules are not compromised by regulatory delays.
- Maintain a live register of all permits, licences, and compliance deadlines across operational
and pipeline sites.
Government & Stakeholder Relationship Management
- Build and maintain productive working relationships with key contacts across the Rural
Electrification Agency (REA), NERC, NEMSA, State Ministries of Power/Energy/Environment,
State Electricity Regulatory Commissions, and local government councils in all project states.
- Serve as the company's primary point of contact for government authorities, ensuring consistent,
professional, and strategically aligned communication.
- Represent the company at government-convened meetings, public hearings, industry forums,
conferences, and policy consultation sessions.
- Develop and nurture relationships with traditional rulers, community leaders, and local
government officials in project areas to support site acquisition, community engagement, and
social licence to operate.
Policy Intelligence & Risk Management
- Monitor the regulatory and policy environment at federal and state levels, identifying new
legislation, tariff changes, grant programme requirements, and compliance obligations that
affect the company's operations.
- Provide timely briefings and written advisories to the CEO and executive team on policy
developments, emerging risks, and strategic opportunities.
- Contribute to the company's positioning on sector-wide consultations, regulatory reviews, and
electrification policy discussions.
Internal Coordination & Reporting
- Coordinate with the Legal department on regulatory filings, licence applications, and
government correspondence.
- Work closely with Operations and Projects teams to ensure regulatory requirements are
factored into site selection, construction timelines, and operational planning.
- Support the Growth and Programmes teams in preparing regulatory components of grant
applications, donor reports, and investor materials.
- Prepare and circulate regular progress reports, stakeholder maps, and risk registers to internal
leadership.
Process Improvement
- Develop and maintain a Government Relations play book documenting standard processes,
key contacts, approval workflows, and state-specific regulatory requirements.
- Identify and implement improvements to government engagement processes, reducing
turnaround times and building institutional knowledge within the company.
- Establish a stakeholder engagement tracker (CRM or equivalent) to ensure no relationship or
deadline falls through the cracks.
Job Requirements
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Law, Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations,
Humanities, or a related discipline. A postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
- Minimum of 5–8 years’ professional experience in government relations, regulatory affairs,
public policy, or stakeholder management.
- Experience within the energy, infrastructure, or
utilities sector is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated track record of engaging with Nigerian government institutions at state and
federal levels, including regulatory bodies, ministries, and parastatal.
- Experience working with or within NERC, NEMSA, REA, state electricity regulators, or similar
agencies is a significant advantage.
Skills & Competencies
- Deep understanding of Nigeria’s system of government and public administration, including
federal-state dynamics and the regulatory framework for off-grid electricity.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills. This role requires clear, confident, and
professional correspondence with senior government officials and internal executives alike.
- Excellent negotiation and diplomatic skills, with the ability to handle sensitive conversations
and competing interests.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple permit processes, relationships,
and deadlines across several states simultaneously.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Familiarity with CRM or
stakeholder management tools is a plus.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Law, Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations or related discipline
- Minimum of 5-8 years' professional experience in government relations, regulatory affairs, public policy, or stakeholder management
- Experience within the energy, infrastructure, or utilities sector
- Demonstrated track record of engaging with Nigerian government institutions at state and federal levels
- Experience working with NERC, NEMSA, REA or similar agencies
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The Company
What We Do
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