Community Affairs Manager (Mining & Natural Resources)

About the role

The Community Affairs Manager will lead community engagement, stakeholder relations, landowner negotiations and social performance programmes for a mining and natural resources company operating in Mave, Central Province, Papua New Guinea. The role ensures the company maintains its social licence to operate while supporting safe, uninterrupted mining activities.

Key responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with landowners, clan leaders, local communities, government agencies and other key stakeholders.
• Lead community consultation programmes, stakeholder engagement activities and awareness campaigns to support ongoing and future mining projects.
• Manage land access negotiations, community agreements and dispute‑resolution processes with culturally appropriate engagement.
• Oversee the community grievance management system, ensuring timely recording, investigation, resolution and reporting of complaints.
• Monitor community sentiment, identify emerging social risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimise operational disruptions.
• Coordinate community development programmes and local economic participation initiatives.
• Work closely with operations, security, government agencies, human resources and executive management to align stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Ensure compliance with community commitments and regulatory obligations.

Required profile

• Experienced community affairs professional with extensive exposure to mining operations and customary landowner engagement in remote environments.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships with host communities, landowners and government stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in leading stakeholder engagement strategies, community development initiatives and dispute resolution.
• Capability to work collaboratively with operations, security, HR and senior management.
• Strong understanding of social risk monitoring and mitigation in the mining sector.

Required skills