Head, Local Content (WAF)
On-site · Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Job Summary
Head of Local Content oversees all regulatory, compliance, and local content activities for Union Maritime’s operations in Nigeria. The role ensures full alignment with national maritime, customs, and petroleum regulatory bodies while maintaining strong relationships with key authorities. This position safeguards operational continuity for all union-operated vessels and supports the evolving needs of the Tetra Upstream unit. Responsibilities include managing local content requirements, overseeing vessel documentation and regulator submissions, guiding internal teams on evolving regulations, driving process improvements, engaging with regulators (NIMASA, NUPRC, NMDPRA, NSC, Customs, NSC, etc.), managing union and expatriate crew compliance, and leading stakeholder engagement and reporting to leadership on regulatory changes and risks. The role emphasizes leadership to independently run the local content function, with potential regional expansion and strong focus on regulatory filings, permits, licenses, and audit readiness. The ideal candidate will have maritime/offshore experience in Nigeria with a track record of regulatory interaction, staffing, and strategic compliance.
Required Qualifications
- Regulatory Expertise (Nigeria): Deep, hands-on experience with NIMASA, NUPRC, NMDPRA, Customs, and NSC, including cabotage, CVL, TIP, and vessel compliance frameworks
- Local Content Mastery: Strong understanding of Nigerian local content laws as they apply to shipping, offshore, and maritime operations
- Government & Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to build and manage relationships with regulators, unions, and government agencies to ensure smooth operational approvals
- Maritime & Offshore Experience: Background in shipping, marine operations, offshore logistics, or upstream support, with direct exposure to vessel operations in Nigeria
- Documentation & Compliance Control: Experience overseeing regulatory filings, vessel documentation, permits, and audit readiness with high attention to accuracy and timelines
- Union & Manning Knowledge: Familiarity with maritime labour regulations, CBAs, and expatriate crew compliance
- Operational Problem-Solving: Ability to resolve vessel clearance, permitting, and regulatory bottlenecks quickly to avoid operational disruptions
- Leadership & Ownership: Capable of leading the local content function independently, setting processes, and driving accountability
- Commercial & Strategic Awareness: Understands the business impact of compliance decisions and can support operational continuity and growth (including upstream expansion)
- Experience: Typically 8–15+ years in maritime, offshore, logistics, or regulatory roles in Nigeria, with strong progression and agency exposure
Apply with one swipe on Sorce. We auto-fill applications and apply on your behalf — no cover letters, no 40-minute forms.
Hiring someone like this?
Get your role in front of qualified candidates on Sorce.