Assistant Government Relations Officer Job in Kenya

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. 

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 provide critical support services – such as access to finance, business analytics, training, and marketing. 

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. 

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.
 
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