Public Relations Officer - Government Relations & Import Clearance

About the role

The Public Relations Officer is a senior, highly experienced local role responsible for managing the project's relationship with Algerian government authorities and for navigating the administrative, regulatory and customs environment so that approvals, permits and importation requirements progress on time. It is not an administrative, protocol or public-relations position; it calls for someone who knows how the Algerian government and administrative system works in practice.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the main interface between the project and government authorities at national, regional and local levels.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with ministries, regulatory bodies, customs, ports, municipalities, utilities, labour and immigration authorities and other stakeholders.
• Own and coordinate all approvals, permits, licences, registrations, inspections and regulatory clearances needed for project execution.
• Lead importation and customs clearance for equipment, materials and machinery, resolving issues that could delay delivery.
• Identify import and customs requirements, documentation, permits, duties, exemptions and regulatory constraints before shipment.
• Work with customs brokers, freight forwarders, Procurement, Logistics, Supply Chain and Project Management to ensure timely clearance.
• Manage local and municipal requirements for site access, construction, inspections and utilities.
• Identify and resolve government and regulatory risks affecting schedule, cost, procurement and execution.
• Maintain stakeholder maps, approval trackers, customs/importation trackers and risk logs.
• Integrate regulatory requirements into project planning with Project Management, Engineering, Construction, Commercial, Legal, Finance, HSE and Security.
• Keep senior leadership informed and escalate government-related issues and risks.
• Ensure all interactions comply with Algerian law, company policy and anti-corruption standards.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Law, Public Administration, International Relations, Political Science, Business, Engineering or a related discipline.
• At least 3 years of experience in government relations, government affairs, public affairs, regulatory affairs or government liaison roles.
• Demonstrated, practical experience navigating Algerian government processes and authorities.
• Fluency in English.

What makes you stand out

• Direct experience with Algerian importation and customs clearance.
• Experience with major international companies, EPC contractors, engineering organisations or large infrastructure developers in Algeria.
• Experience supporting multinational project teams and interfacing with international project leadership.
• Managing government stakeholder relationships across several ministries, agencies or regional authorities at once.
• Proactive, comfortable in complex and fast-moving environments, personally accountable for outcomes.