We are Hiring: Manager, Government Relations

Department: Executive Office
Reports to:  Chief Executive Officer
Employment type: Full-time
Location: Abuja, FCT (with extensive travel across project states)
Target start date: June 2026

About Havenhill Synergy
Havenhill Synergy Limited is a cleantech utility company dedicated to using solar energy to generate clean, safe, cost-effective, and sustainable electricity across urban and rural Nigeria. Established in 2010, Havenhill has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading distributed energy companies serving the energy need of rural and urban customers nationwide.

As we scale in new and existing states, the volume and complexity of our government and regulatory engagement is growing rapidly. This role is central to that expansion.

Role Summary
This will serve as Havenhill’s primary interface with local, state and federal government authorities, regulatory bodies, and relevant parastatals. The role holder will build, manage, and maintain the relationships required to secure timely permits, licenses, approvals, and policy alignment across all of Havenhill’s operational and pipeline states.

This is not a passive liaison role. We need someone who can navigate Nigeria’s regulatory landscape proactively, identify emerging policy risks and opportunities early, and represent Havenhill credibly at senior government level. The successful candidate will operate with a high degree of autonomy, working closely with the CEO and the Legal department while coordinating across Operations, Projects, Growth, and Community Engagement teams.

Key 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 Havenhill’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, licenses, 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 Havenhill’s primary point of contact for government authorities, ensuring consistent, professional, and strategically aligned communication.
• Represent Havenhill 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 license 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 Havenhill’s operations.
• Provide timely briefings and written advisories to the CEO and executive team on policy developments, emerging risks, and strategic opportunities.
• Contribute to Havenhill’s positioning on sector-wide consultations, regulatory reviews, and electrification policy discussions.

Internal Coordination & Reporting

• Coordinate with the Legal department on regulatory filings, license 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 playbook 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.

Requirements & Qualifications
Education & Experience

• 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 parastatals.
• 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.

Personal Attributes

• Self-driven and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, scaling organisation where processes are still being built.
• Willingness to travel extensively (60% or more) across Nigerian states as project demands require.
• Genuine interest in renewable energy, energy access, and the role of government in enabling private sector delivery of public infrastructure.

What We Offer

• A central role in one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing renewable energy companies, with direct exposure to executive leadership and strategic decision-making.
• The opportunity to shape how Havenhill engages with government at a pivotal stage in the company’s growth.
• A collaborative, mission-driven team committed to expanding energy access across Nigeria and beyond.
• Competitive compensation and benefits, commensurate with experience.

Think you’re a great fit? Click here to apply!