To support the development of a fast-track green fertilizer project in the Olkaria/Naivasha area, Fortescue Kenya is looking for a new Communities Lead to join our team.

Key Responsibilities

The Communities Lead is responsible for all communities and social performance work for Fortescue in Kenya. This includes the following tasks & responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain sustainable relationships with local communities where FFI’s projects are located.
• Plan, develop and implement information, consultation and participation strategies with relevant stakeholders, including communities, civil society organisations, (national and county-level) government entities, in line with the Stakeholder Engagement Plan.
• Manage the Fortescue Kenya Communities team, consisting of CLOs and others.
• Establish and manage the project-level grievance mechanism(s).
• Develop, negotiate and implement agreements with project-affected communities.
• Identify and oversee implementation of community investment initiatives and partnerships.
• Oversee the accurate recording of information in Fortescue’s stakeholder relationship management system.
• Develop scopes of work and oversee the required social studies for the approval and responsible delivery of Fortescue projects in Kenya, including managing consultants.
• Undertake regular social and human rights risk and impact assessments and assume ownership for social risk and impact management plans for all Fortescue projects in Kenya.
• Work closely with other functions within the Fortescue Kenya country team as well as Fortescue’s Global Communities Team to address cross-functional social performance aspects and deliver key commitments.
• Report on Fortescue’s social performance in Kenya as required by internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications And Experience

• Master or Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant experience working within a senior community relations / social performance role in Kenya, managing complex community issues for large energy, infrastructure or development projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills– for a variety of audiences including local communities, civil society stakeholders, government officials, contractors and consultants.
• Experience designing and delivering community engagement and development activities.
• Successful delivery of community projects and social programs with measurable outcomes.
• Proven experience in team, project, and budget management.
• Experience with resettlement, livelihoods restoration and grievance management desirable.
• Detailed knowledge of and practical experience with applying international social performance standards, i.e., IFC Performance Standards, World Bank standards, Equator Principles, UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights.
• Ability to translate complex information into strong, easily understandable messages, including the ability to influence, inspire confidence, negotiate and build trust at all levels.
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili is essential.
• Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision & direction. Yet able to work in a team to achieve ambitious project goals and timelines.
• Self-motivated, versatile, adaptable to different cultures & people.
• Effective reporting & writing skills as well as detailed knowledge of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) essential.