Government Relations Intern at Sanergy

About the role

The Government Relations Intern 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

• Establish, network and maintain continuous relationships with area location leadership (chief, assistant chief, village elders and police) in the designated area of operation.
• Establish, network and maintain continuous relationships with ward administration (ward administrator, public health and environment officers, and other relevant ward departmental officials) in the designated area of operation.
• Learning how to establish, network and maintain continuous relationships with informal community groups in the designated areas of operation.
• Collaborate with focal, influential persons within these groups, maintaining constant contact with them and keeping comprehensive records of the same.
• With help of teammates - Actively plan, participate and attend public participation forums, meetings and activities, community barazas, forums and discussions held by such interest groups to lobby for the organization’s interests.
• Facilitate opportunities and strategies for raising concerns and possible conflicts outside the network, with possible practical solutions to resolve such conflicts
• Provide information, advice and client support during pre-installation through to post-installation, in regards to challenges arising from such interest groups.
• Speedy turnaround time in getting our structures approved to ensure hassle-free installations.
• Effective communication of the FL business model to stakeholders and ensuring that Fresh Life is included in the list of stakeholders involved in sanitation in his/her area.
• Liaising with the Government Relations Operations - Assistant Manager on all issues that touch on the general operations of the field
• Ensure proper e-filing of secured company’s Dropbox folders and Google Drive. Handle the team’s scheduling of meetings, event planning and logistical/administrative requirements/tasks.
• Carry out any other duties as may be called upon from time to time

Qualifications

• Degree in Social Sciences related to community, social work, Policy & Administration or any other relevant degree.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Government Structures and County Government By-Laws of Kenya
• Proven experience in lobbying the government and working with informal communities 
• Having worked in a compliance-related environment would be an added advantage
• Evidence of having worked in the informal settlements of Nairobi is preferred.
• Well-developed written, oral, interpersonal, negotiation, conflict resolution and communication skills with a high degree of sensitivity for confidentiality, Discretion, tact and diplomacy
• Computer skills, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Desired Attributes

• High level of attention to detail, self-motivated, and a team player
• Able to take a proactive approach on projects and work with minimal direction 
• Able to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced environment
• Trustworthy, discreet, loyal, and must maintain confidentiality 
• Aptitude to respond creatively to adjustments made to assigned tasks
• 75% of the job is field based mainly in the informal settlements, liaising between different offices/ tasks