Job
Description: Assistant Government Relations Officer
Sanergy is an award-winning social venture that builds healthy, prosperous communities by making hygienic sanitation accessible and affordable in Africa’s urban informal settlements.
Sanergy is an award-winning social venture that builds healthy, prosperous communities by making hygienic sanitation accessible and affordable in Africa’s urban informal settlements.
Our
systems-based approach to solving the sanitation crisis involves five key
steps: we build a dense network of franchised micro-entrepreneurs, who operate
low-cost, high-quality waterless sanitation facilities – called Fresh Life
Toilets.
We
collect the waste regularly and safely remove it from the community. We convert
the waste into valuable end products, such as organic fertilizer, insect-based
animal feed, and renewable energy. Finally, we sell the end products to Kenyan
farms under the brand name Farm Star.
Since November 2011, we have launched over 750 Fresh Life Toilets to a network of more than 350 Fresh Life Operators. We have collected and converted over 9,000 tons of waste. At the same time, we have built a team of over 250 people.
Since November 2011, we have launched over 750 Fresh Life Toilets to a network of more than 350 Fresh Life Operators. We have collected and converted over 9,000 tons of waste. At the same time, we have built a team of over 250 people.
For
our work, we have been recognized by Fast Company as one of the 10 Most
Innovative Companies in the World Doing Social Good and one of the 10 Most
Innovative Companies in Africa.
Job Purpose Statement: The Assistant Government Relations Officer shall be the organization’s link to national government leadership (from the lowest unit up to location level); county government leadership (from the lowest unit up to ward administration); and informal community leadership and interest groups in the company’s areas of operation. He/she shall be responsible for managing and coordinating all activities affecting these groups.
Job Purpose Statement: The Assistant Government Relations Officer shall be the organization’s link to national government leadership (from the lowest unit up to location level); county government leadership (from the lowest unit up to ward administration); and informal community leadership and interest groups in the company’s areas of operation. He/she shall be responsible for managing and coordinating all activities affecting these groups.
Reports
to: Government
Relations Officer
Roles
and responsibilities
- To
establish, network and maintain continuous relationships with area
location leadership (chief, assistant chief, village elders) in designated
area of operation.
- To
establish, network and maintain continuous relationships with ward
administration (ward administrator, village administrator, and ward
departmental officials) in designated area of operation.
- To
establish, network and maintain continuous relationships with informal
community groups in organization’s areas of operation.
- To
collaborate with focal, influential persons within these groups,
maintaining constant contact with them and keeping comprehensive records
of the same.
- Actively
plan, participate and attend public participation forums, meetings and
activities, community barazas, forums and discussions held by such interest
groups to lobby for organization’s interests.
- Assist
in recruiting, resourcing and coordinating local assistance for
installations, and other community events as need may arise.
- Facilitate
opportunities and strategies for raising concerns and possible conflicts
outside the network, with possible practical solutions to resolve such
conflicts.
- Providing
information, advice and client support during pre-installation through to
post-installation, in regards to challenges arising from such interest
groups.
- Facilitate
inter-team processes and offer government-related support to internal
teams as may arise.
- Liaising
with the Government Relations Officer on all issues that touch on the
general operations of the field.
- Carry
out administrative duties as and when required
- Carry
out any other duties as may be called upon from time to time.
Key
Result Areas
- Locate
and establish contacts with resourceful focal persons in all areas of
operation.
- Ensuring
efficient turnaround time on approval processes for new sales – notification
and gaining support from all levels of leadership; and
- Create
a database of all government and community leaders in areas of operation.
- Considerable
reduction of stoppages/interruptions during installations by all
stakeholders.
- Considerable
reduction in post-installations incidences (demolitions, vandalisms and
sabotage)
- Hold
meetings with persons above to establish and maintain contact
- Considerable
reduction of insecurity faced by staff during installations, delivery of
materials.
- Designing
and implementation of a conflicts-resolution strategy
- Documenting
the progress made with each official, including briefing papers and
challenges faced.
- Recommendations
for hiring waste collection staff and reduced turnover rate of the same
group.
Key
Qualifications
- A
diploma or its equivalent in relevant studies or Degree in social studies.
- Must
be computer literate, i.e., MS word, excel, PowerPoint, Access, Internet,
knowledge in Government Relations and have thorough understanding of
informal settlement dynamics.
- Knowledge
of Government Relations structures and county government by-laws.
- 1-2
years of demonstrated experience in a position of similar capacity.
- Proven
experience in lobbying government and working with informal communities.
- Have
strong interpersonal, networking, negotiation and communication skills,
with ability to work with minimal supervision.
- Ability
to work long hours.
Application
Deadline: 15th
September 2016