Community Affairs Manager

This role requires the candidate to work in Mave Central Province Papua New Guinea.

Client Overview

Our client is a growing mining and natural resources company focused on the exploration development and production of gold and base metal assets within highly prospective mineral regions. The organization is actively advancing large-scale mining and exploration programs while investing in operational excellence sustainable community engagement and long-term resource development across complex and challenging remote environments.

Operating within geographically isolated mining locations the company manages integrated exploration mining processing logistics and supporting infrastructure while maintaining close relationships with host communities customary landowners and government stakeholders. With a strong commitment to responsible mining social performance environmental stewardship and sustainable local development the organization provides opportunities for experienced community affairs professionals to play a critical role in protecting the companys social license to operate while supporting safe and uninterrupted mining operations.

Job Role

The Community Affairs Manager is responsible for leading community engagement stakeholder relations landowner negotiations and social performance programs that support ongoing mining operations. The role focuses on building trusted relationships with local communities managing community expectations resolving grievances facilitating land access and ensuring compliance with community commitments and regulatory obligations.

Working closely with operations security government agencies human resources and executive management the successful candidate will oversee stakeholder engagement strategies community development initiatives local content programs and dispute resolution processes to maintain positive relationships with host communities and minimize operational disruptions. This position is highly suitable for experienced community affairs leaders with extensive exposure to mining operations and customary landowner engagement within remote environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with landowners clan leaders local communities government agencies and other key stakeholders throughout the project area.
• Lead community consultation programs stakeholder engagement activities and awareness campaigns to support ongoing mining operations and future project developments.
• Manage land access negotiations community agreements and dispute resolution processes while ensuring respectful and culturally appropriate engagement.
• Oversee the community grievance management system ensuring complaints are recorded investigated resolved and reported in a timely manner.
• Monitor community sentiment identify emerging social risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize operational disruptions.
• Coordinate community development programs local economic participation initiatives education healthcare and other corporate social responsibility activities.
• Collaborate with procurement and human resources teams to increase local employment opportunities supplier participation and community business development.
• Lead mentor and supervise Community Affairs personnel while maintaining effective reporting systems and performance standards.
• Coordinate closely with operations logistics security and executive management to provide timely stakeholder intelligence and support operational planning.
• Prepare regular reports on stakeholder engagement activities community performance social risks grievances and community development outcomes for senior management.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree or higher in Community Development Social Sciences Public Administration Anthropology Sociology International Development or a related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of professional experience in Community Affairs Stakeholder Engagement Social Performance Community Development or related functions.
• Proven experience within mining oil & gas heavy infrastructure civil construction or other large-scale resource projects operating in remote environments.
• Extensive experience working directly with customary landowners and local communities in Papua New Guinea is essential.
• Strong understanding of PNG customary land ownership systems land access processes mining agreements community development frameworks and stakeholder engagement practices.
• Demonstrated experience managing community grievance mechanisms dispute resolution processes and social performance monitoring systems.
• Strong stakeholder management negotiation conflict resolution communication and leadership capabilities.
• High level of integrity professionalism cultural awareness emotional intelligence and sound judgment when managing sensitive community matters.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams while balancing operational objectives and community expectations.
• Willingness to work on FIFO or remote site rotational assignments.
• Professional English communication skills are required for stakeholder engagement reporting and executive communication.
• Working knowledge of Tok Pisin or local Papua New Guinea dialects will be highly advantageous.
• Valid Papua New Guinea drivers license is preferred.

Job Code: #744