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  
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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Requirements

• 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.