Corporate Affairs Manager, North East at Lafarge Cement

About the Job

• To manage the Lafarge Africa Plc’s Corporate Affairs in AshakaCem and the North-east: To ensure the Company’s corporate image and interests are safeguarded at all times. Manage projects such as AshakaCem Agricultural project and Project Alhairi on affordable housing in the North-eastern states of Nigeria.

What you'll be doing 

• The job holder is responsible for the development, influence, management and implementation strategies and tactics to lobby the State Governments in North-east to achieve suitable changes in Industrial & other policies, procedures, taxes and duties
• Strive to remove regulatory & political obstacles to business development
• Influence regulations that would stimulate demand growth through macro initiatives like construction of concrete roads, development of world-class infrastructure, ports & airports, low cost housing
• Have good understanding of issues and policies that could affect LafargeHolcim operations in AshakaCem and the North-east
• Develop, maintain and drive strategies to ensure beneficial relationships with key officials of government with a view to deriving business benefits for the company.
• Provide advice and make recommendations to the Company on internal processes and policies that will ensure consistent compliance to government policies and regulations.
• Coordinate the Company’s inputs to bills and proposed Policies by the Legislative and Executive at the states or otherwise secure beneficial sectorial and overall public policy, regulations and other outcomes from the three tiers of Government:
• Institute processes to ensure continuous monitoring, identification and coordination of inputs to Bills and policies proposed by government at all three tiers with a view to harnessing opportunities and mitigating risks to company therein.
• Proactively develop engagement strategies that will enable the company access benefits in government policies and laws.
• Identify and develop beneficial relationships with relevant public offices whose activities impact on the company’s Nigeria business.
• Engage relevant Ministries, departmental and Agencies (MDAs) whose activities impact on the Company’s operations to secure favorable policies, regulations and other outcomes
• Develop and maintain relationships with strategic external stakeholders, especially government functionaries to the benefit of the company.
• Monitor and contribute to strategic initiatives of pan regional bodies such as ECOWAS.
• Coordinate the activities of Regional Regulatory personnel
• Ensure compliance to applicable government policy and monitor availability of all relevant documentations to meet compliance requirements.
• Institute, coordinate and drive organizational processes that will ensure the company’s compliance to environmental prescriptions.

Public Policy Advocacy & Development

• Building & Maintaining Lafarge Image o Improve Lafarge Nigeria Corporate Relations with the North-eastern States and Local Governments in order to apply & receive approvals & licenses on a continued basis for smooth operations in all existing operations including factory and market place o Support to maintain close relationship with the Governors, Ministries and other Government

Community Relations

• Ensure and co-ordinate peaceful Community relations Organise and Support AshakaCem operations and North-east
• Coordinate with corporate & public affairs functions in various operations
• Key contact to resolve issues with stakeholders, etc

What we are looking for

• University degree in any discipline
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead, motivate and manage staff.
• Strong strategic and business planning skills.
• Ability to plan and execute PR/Public affairs strategies.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively regarding the long-term development of an
• Organisation’s PR and public affairs work.
• Ability to produce high quality written reports on information and publishing for internal management purposes and for trustees.
• Good IT skills and computer literacy.
• Flexible approach to work and highly organised working practices.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to understand complex health-related and medical issues quickly.
• Ability to plan, execute and evaluate social media campaigns.
• An understanding of the value of good information and support services.
• A commitment to equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practices

Leadership and managerial abilities:

• Works effectively in teams, builds team spirit and shows care and consideration for individuals.
• Adhering to principles and values
• Upholds ethics and values, acts with integrity and promotes equal opportunities in a confident and relaxed manner.
• Relating and networking Establishes effective relationships with customers and staff, networks
• Effectively within and without the organisation and relates well to individuals at all levels.
• Persuading and influencing
• Makes a strong impression on others, gains agreement and commitment through persuasion and negotiation.
• Manages conflict effectively.