Government Relations Specialist at One Acre Fund

Job Summary: Coordinate our Local Government Relations Team and their work across Western, Rift Valley, Nyanza, Central and Eastern regions.

Job Description: The Government Relations Specialist will be responsible for coordinating our Local Government Relations Team across Western, Rift Valley, Nyanza, Central and Eastern regions.

General responsibilities include team management and professional development, acting as a focal point for One Acre Fund departmental leadership for advice on government and regulatory questions, participating in stakeholder meetings, overseeing the production of quarterly reports, managing strategies to resolve government-related risks in the field.

He/she will also play an active role in coordinating field events and act as a link between our field headquarters and our national and global Government Relations Team in Nairobi.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinate the activities of six local government relations staff across Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Central and Eastern regions
• Act as a key deputy and the main point of contact for all government relations inquiries from other departments at our Kakamega Headquarters, responding to questions and requests in a timely and comprehensive manner with minimal supervision from the manager
• Manage highest-level local government relationships with government officials (CECs, COs, CDAs) and regional regulators (KEPHIS, KALRO)
• Create and implement professional development initiatives for the Local Government Relations Team in all areas of operation
• Create efficiencies within the Local Government Relations Team through delegation and strategic use of staff resources
• Oversee the tracking and resolution of risks and issues affecting field-facing operations
• Track compliance of One Acre Fund operations with government regulations, oversee the team’s support to the Innovations, Field Operations, Logistics and Corporate Operations departments on licensing processes
• Oversee planning and execution on logistics for events that the Government Relations department holds in the field with local and national government officials as well as politicians
• Oversee timely preparation and delivery of quarterly reports to all levels of local government
• Review county strategies and policies, and advise One Acre Fund departments on next steps
• Use people management and project planning tools to coordinate Local Government Relations staff and adequately respond to requests from department heads
• Act as a focal point for the global and national Government Relations Department
• Any other duties as assigned by the Senior Government Relations Analyst or departmental leadership

Career Growth and Development

We have a strong culture of constant learning and we invest in developing our people.

You’ll have weekly check-ins with your manager, access to mentorship and training programs, and regular feedback on your performance.

We hold career reviews every six months, and set aside time to discuss your aspirations and career goals.

You’ll have the opportunity to shape a growing organization and build a rewarding long-term career.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in the field of agriculture, public relations, communication and community development, preferred.
• Public relations, community development or agriculture-related experience preferred.
• Experience in managing a team and coordinating activities between a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to think strategically and translate that thinking into action plans that accomplish goals.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to negotiate and effectively advocate on behalf of the organization.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills high attention to detail, public speaking skills.
• Exceptional organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Positive, problem-solving attitude.
• Willingness to live in Kakamega with extensive travel across Western, Rift Valley, Nyanza, Central and Eastern regions.
• Conversant with MS Word, MS Excel and MS Power Point.
• Fluent in English and Swahili – Kalenjin, Luo, Luhya, or Kikuyu a plus.
• Passion for serving smallholder farmers.

Preferred Start Date: April 2019

Job Location: Kakamega, Kenya

Compensation: Commensurate with experience

Duration: Full-time job

Benefits: Health insurance, paid time off

Sponsor International Candidates: No; Must have existing rights to work in Kenya.