Manager- Government Relations (Abuja) at eRecruiter Nigeria

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.