Job Opportunity: Government Relations Assistant – Plateau State at One Acre Fund

In the effort to eradicate rural poverty, the bridge between innovative agricultural programs and local leadership is vital for long-term success. Smallholder farmers thrive when their communities are supported by strong, transparent partnerships with local authorities and traditional leaders. This role is essential because you will be the face of our mission at the grassroots level, ensuring that our life-changing interventions are welcomed, understood, and integrated within the local social fabric.

Job Summary

The Government Relations Assistant serves as the primary liaison between our field operations and the local administrative structures across the Shendam and Bauchi districts. You will be responsible for cultivating trust with government officials and traditional heads, ensuring our programs run smoothly and remain compliant with local protocols. By managing logistics and community engagement, you directly enable our team to deliver essential financing and training to the farmers who need it most.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Relationship Management

• Stakeholder Liaison: Act as the lead point of contact for Local Government Council officials and traditional leadership, including Village Heads, Mai Angwas, and the Long.
• Network Expansion: Spearhead introductory missions to new districts and villages, securing the necessary approvals and buy-in for program growth.
• Database Oversight: Maintain and update a comprehensive directory of local government contacts, meticulously tracking all official interactions and outreach.
• Issue Mitigation: Proactively identify and monitor local risks or operational hurdles, working closely with the team to resolve conflicts before they impact service delivery.

Community Engagement & Representation

• Public Advocacy: Deliver confident presentations regarding our mission and agricultural products at local-level meetings and public forums.
• Impact Reporting: Lead bi-weekly communication sessions to share success stories and program data with community stakeholders, fostering transparency.
• Event Hosting: Coordinate and facilitate “Meet & Greet” sessions and Field Days, ensuring all safety measures and government protocols are strictly followed.

Administrative & Logistical Support

• Logistics Coordination: Manage the end-to-end logistics for the Government Relations team, including venue booking, transport arrangements, and supply procurement.
• Document Management: Oversee the professional delivery and collection of official reports, invitations, and legal documents to various stakeholders.
• Field Planning: Execute autonomous work plans that involve regular travel to remote operational sites and potential new territories.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Educational Background: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
• Professional Experience: At least 2 years of experience in stakeholder engagement, community mobilization, or administrative management.
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to organize complex schedules and manage multiple priorities with high attention to detail.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written skills; must be able to translate complex program concepts into simple, persuasive language.
• Language Proficiency: Full professional fluency in English and Hausa is mandatory. Proficiency in local dialects such as Goemai is a significant advantage.
• Technical Savvy: High competency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and professional email etiquette.
• Location Commitment: A firm willingness to reside in and travel frequently across the Shendam or Bauchi regions.

Desired Mindset

We are seeking individuals who embody a service-first attitude. You should be naturally humble, consistently positive, and deeply passionate about empowering smallholder farmers to improve their livelihoods.

Why This Role is Important

One Acre Fund’s success depends on “social license”—the permission and support of the communities where we work. As a Government Relations Assistant, you protect this license. Without your diplomatic touch and organizational precision, our field officers cannot safely or effectively reach the farmers. You are the guardian of our reputation and the architect of our local partnerships.

Benefits of Applying

• Meaningful Impact: Directly contribute to a proven model that significantly increases farmer yields and income.
• Professional Growth: Gain high-level experience in government diplomacy and large-scale NGO operations.
• Competitive Rewards: We offer a competitive salary package and a supportive work environment that values professional development.
• Autonomy: Enjoy a role that encourages independent decision-making and structured work planning.

About One Acre Fund

One Acre Fund is an award-winning social enterprise that puts “Farmers First.” We believe that the most effective way to fight global poverty is to help small-scale farmers become more productive. We provide a complete “market bundle” of financing, high-quality seeds, and training directly to rural doorsteps. Our organization has grown from a small pilot into a massive operation serving over a million farmers across Africa, driven by a culture of data-driven decisions and radical transparency.

Application Details

• Location: Plateau State (Shendam/Bauchi districts), Nigeria
• Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; early application is encouraged.
• How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidates should visit the official recruitment portal to submit their details: APPLY NOW

Tips for Applicants

• Focus on Relationships: In your application, provide specific examples of where you successfully managed a difficult relationship or navigated a complex local hierarchy.
• Highlight Logistics: Don’t overlook your organizational skills; emphasize your experience in planning events or managing transport and supplies.
• Language Matters: Ensure your CV clearly reflects your fluency in Hausa, as this is a core requirement for daily operations in these districts.