Government Affairs Manager, Nigeria

About this role

Zipline Nigeria seeks a Government Affairs Manager in Abuja. The role focuses on defining and executing Zipline's government engagement strategy in Nigeria, building relationships with federal, state, and local authorities, and guiding market entry and expansion efforts. The position requires navigating Nigeria’s political landscape, coordinating across functions, and representing Zipline to public officials and stakeholders. The role reports to the Country Director and involves travel within Nigeria as needed.

What you would do

• Define and implement Nigeria government engagement strategy across federal, state, and local levels.
• Build and maintain relationships with ministries, agencies, legislatures, public-health institutions, and community leaders.
• Coordinate cross-functional pathways for market entry and expansion; clarify dependencies, owners, decisions, and next steps.
• Monitor policy developments and assess political and institutional risks; develop evidence-based positions.
• Prepare stakeholder briefs, meeting objectives, talking points, and follow-up plans.
• Track engagement progress and maintain records of commitments and outcomes.
• Represent Zipline with ethical standards in interactions with officials and partners.
• Collaborate with Commercial Director to advance state opportunities toward approval and signature.
• Plan governor-level engagements with clear decisions and follow-up actions.
• Monitor policy changes that affect opportunities and brief the team on impacts.

What they are asking for

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, law, international relations, communications or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Substantial experience in government affairs or public policy in Nigeria with a track record of navigating government institutions.
• Strong relationships with senior Nigerian government leaders and decision-makers at federal, state, and local levels.
• Practical understanding of Nigeria’s political landscape and how different government levels influence policy implementation.
• Experience developing and executing stakeholder engagement strategies and adapting to changing priorities.
• Ability to coordinate across functions to address market-entry or policy challenges; discern ownership responsibilities.
• Strong policy analysis, writing, briefing, and communication skills; ability to present options and recommendations to leaders.
• Excellent relationship-building, negotiation and discretion in politically sensitive settings.
• Fluency in English; willingness to travel within Nigeria; Yoruba, Hausa, or Igbo language skills are a plus.
• Experience navigating state government processes for approval, budgeting, procurement, and contracting.

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