Job Summary / Principal Accountabilities
The Lead Community Relations Officer is responsible for managing relationships between the company and the communities within its operational areas. This position ensures that engagement activities are effective, well-planned, and sensitive to the social and cultural dynamics of Papua. This role also serves as a strategic liaison between the company and village stakeholders, community leaders, traditional institutions, and local institutions to ensure social support for the company's operational activities. Furthermore, this position identifies potential social issues, develops mitigation strategies, and leads the Community Relations team to achieve engagement targets and maintain social stability in the project area.
Responsibility
- Develop an annual Community Relations Plan and monitor its implementation.
- Conduct daily supervision of the CR team to ensure effective engagement.
- Maintain strategic relationships with village heads, traditional leaders, religious leaders, and youth.
- Identify potential social unrest and mitigate risks.
- Ensure the delivery of company information is accurate, clear, and consistent.
- Coordinate the resolution of social issues involving the community and company operations.
- Manage internal communications regarding community social conditions and recommended actions.
- Prepare weekly, monthly, and incidental reports related to community relations.
- Lead external consultation processes (focus group discussions, community dialogues, traditional forums).
- Coordinate with the Security function for early detection of potential social risks.
- Design social programs and community empowerment programs that are well-targeted and do not overlap with government programs and the GOKPL program.
Work Relationship
Internal:
- Construction – coordination of construction activities that impact the community, including access, environmental disturbances, potential complaints, and communication of schedule changes.
- External Affairs Manager – approval of operational strategies and directions.
- Permitting – support for public consultation in the permitting process.
- HSE – ensuring alignment between engagement and environmental or safety aspects.
- Security – coordination of security issues related to social dynamics.
External:
- Village heads, traditional leaders, and religious leaders.
- District/regency governments involved in field issues.
- Traditional institutions and community organizations.
- Local organizations and youth groups.
- Local NGOs, if needed, to facilitate engagement.
Job Specification
Essential Skills & Software Knowledge:
- Strong stakeholder and community engagement skills
- Social risk assessment, conflict sensitivity, and mediation capabilities
- Solid understanding of Papuan culture, adat practices, and indigenous community dynamics
- Effective communication and negotiation skills in both formal and customary settings
- Ability to lead field-based Community Relations (CR) teams
- Crisis handling and rapid response to social issues affecting operations
- Analytical thinking with the ability to provide strategic social recommendations
- Stakeholder mapping, influence analysis, and relationship management
- Field intelligence, documentation, and reporting skills
- Ability to design, implement, and monitor community-based social programs
- Proficient in MS Office, reporting, and policy writing
Minimum Requirements / Work Experiences:
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Anthropology, Communication, International Relations, or related fields
- Minimum 5–7 years of experience in Community Relations or Social Performance
- Experience in large-scale industrial projects (oil & gas, mining, infrastructure) is an advantage
- Proven experience leading field teams and managing community issues or conflicts
- Experience in stakeholder engagement, public consultations, and coordination with local government
- Experience working in remote or high-mobility field environments
- Strong reporting skills and ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- High cultural sensitivity, professionalism, and adherence to local protocols
- Willingness to work intensively with local communities and traditional leaders in dynamic environments