Head, Local Content (WAF)

Role Purpose 

The 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. 

Core Responsibilities  

1. Local Content & Regulatory Compliance 

• Manage all local content requirements for union-operated vessels in Nigeria. 

• Oversee documentation (vessel and technical) submitted to regulators and government bodies. 

• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and proper maintenance of all compliance files. 

• Provide guidance on local content obligations and ensure internal teams adhere to evolving regulations. 

• Drive continuous improvement across all local content processes. 

2. Government & Regulatory Authority Engagement 

Primary bodies include: 

NIMASA 

• Cabotage registration 

• Labour compliance 

• Registration of ships (ROS) / Flagging 

• Manning compliance enforcement 

• Safety oversight 

• Marine Environment Management (MEM) 

• General NIMASA services 

NUPRC & NMDPRA (HQ & Zonal Offices) 

• Tank calibration 

• Coastal Vessel License (CVL) 

Customs (HQ & Zonal Offices) 

• Temporary Import Permit (TIP) processing 

• General customs services 

Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC) 

• Compliance audits including CBN forex platform requirements 

Union & Manning Compliance 

• Manage relationships with maritime unions 

• Oversee Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) 

• Ensure compliance for non‑Nigerian crew manning 

Third‑Party Agency Services 

• Provide agency support to partners such as DSL, SALBAS, etc. 

3. Stakeholder & Relationship Management 

• Serve as the primary liaison with all major Nigerian maritime, customs, and petroleum authorities. 

• Maintain strong working relationships to ensure smooth vessel operations and regulatory approvals. 

• Provide regular updates to leadership on regulatory changes, risks, and upcoming policy shifts. 

4. Operational Oversight & Reporting 

• Monitor all vessel‑related regulatory issues and resolve them promptly. 

• Track and report upcoming regulatory changes that may impact business operations. 

• Ensure timely submission and renewal of all permits, licenses, and certifications. 

Role Progression 

• Expand into a supporting function for the Tetra Upstream unit, particularly as regulatory requirements evolve within upstream operations. 

• Potential to lead broader regional compliance initiatives across West Africa. 

Key Requirements – Head of Local Content

• 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

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a high-impact team at the heart of the business. The role offers exposure to strategic decision-making and the potential for career progression within the organization.