Government Relations Associate

About the Role

The Associate, Government Relations is responsible for building and maintaining strategic relationships with the community gatekeepers, county and national governments including the police in our areas of operation so as to always ensure an enabling environment for a thriving business.

Duties and Responsibilities

Community & Government Relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with area leadership, including chiefs, assistant chiefs, village elders, and police.
• Establish and sustain working relationships with ward administrators, public health officers, environmental officers, and other relevant ward officials.
• Engage and collaborate with informal community groups within the organization’s areas of operation.
• Identify and work closely with influential community members, maintaining continuous communication and accurate records.

Stakeholder Engagement & Representation

• Actively participate in public forums, community meetings, barazas, and discussions to represent and advocate for the organization’s interests.
• Communicate the FLT model effectively to all stakeholders, ensuring the organization is recognized in local sanitation initiatives.

Conflict Management & Issue Resolution

• Facilitate dialogue on community concerns and conflicts, proposing practical solutions to address them.
• Provide timely support and advice to clients and stakeholders before, during, and after installations.
• Ensure rapid conflict resolution and maintain a quick turnaround time for obtaining FLT approvals.

Operational Support

• Support smooth and hassle-free installation processes by coordinating with relevant field teams.
• Liaise with the Assistant Manager, Operations, and Government Relations on matters affecting field operations.

Administrative & Documentation Duties

• Ensure proper e-filing and management of documents in the company’s Dropbox folders and Google Drive.
• Handle meeting scheduling, event planning, logistical arrangements, and other administrative tasks as required.
• Perform any additional duties assigned from time to time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Community Development, Social Sciences, Political Science, Public Health, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in community engagement, government relations, or field-based program implementation.
• Experience working within informal settlements and operating effectively in field environments.
• Demonstrated ability to engage chiefs, assistant chiefs, ward officials, public health officers, and community influencers.
• Strong computer proficiency, particularly in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent coordination, multitasking, and organizational abilities.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• High degree of confidentiality, discretion, tact, and diplomacy.
• Proven ability to maintain accurate records and manage digital documentation systems.

Desirable Skills

• Knowledge of government structures, county by-laws, and community-level systems.
• Experience in government lobbying, community engagement, or working with informal communities.
• Background in compliance-related environments.
• Familiarity with sanitation, public health, or community-based programs.

Other Requirements

• Willingness to spend approximately 75% of time in the field, mainly within informal settlements.
• Detail-oriented, proactive, trustworthy, and adaptable to shifting priorities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams.