Community Relations Officer-Linglingay (Project-based)

Position Summary

The Community Relations Officer (CRO) is responsible for developing, managing, and safeguarding the Company’s relationship with host communities, local government units (LGUs), landowners, and other stakeholders across all phases of renewable energy projects, including development, construction, commissioning, and operations.

The role ensures that all project activities are socially acceptable, compliant with Philippine regulatory requirements (e.g., DENR, LGU processes), and aligned with international environmental and social standards such as IFC Performance Standards and the Equator Principles, as typically required by project lenders.

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Key Responsibilities

Stakeholder Engagement and Social Acceptability

• Act as the primary interface between the Company and:

  • Host communities and affected households
  • Barangay, municipal, and provincial LGUs
  • Landowners, tenants, and local organizations

• Lead stakeholder mapping and maintain a stakeholder engagement plan consistent with ESG and lender requirements.

• Facilitate:

  • Public consultations and hearings (e.g., ECC-related)
  • Community assemblies and project briefings
  • Social acceptability processes required for project approvals

• Ensure transparent disclosure of project impacts, benefits, and timelines.

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Landowner and Community Interface (Project Development Phase)

• Support land acquisition and right-of-way activities by:

  • Coordinating with landowners and occupants
  • Assisting in negotiation support and community-level communications

• Manage expectations on land use, compensation structures, and project impacts.

• Identify and mitigate potential social risks (e.g., land disputes, opposition).

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Community Development and ESG Programs

• Develop and implement Community Development / CSR programs aligned with:

  • Company ESG policies
  • LGU development priorities
  • Lender requirements (e.g., livelihood restoration, community investment)

• Coordinate programs such as:

  • Livelihood and skills training
  • Environmental awareness campaigns
  • Health, education, and social initiatives

• Monitor delivery of all community commitments and maintain compliance with agreed obligations.

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Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)

• Establish and implement a formal Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) consistent with ESG standards.

• Ensure all grievances are:

  • Logged and categorized
  • Investigated within defined timelines
  • Resolved and closed with proper documentation

• Handle complaints related to:

  • Land and access issues
  • Construction impacts (dust, noise, traffic)
  • Environmental and safety concerns

• Prepare periodic grievance reports for management, lenders, and regulators.

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Permits, Compliance, and Regulatory Coordination

• Support compliance with Philippine regulatory requirements, including:

  • DENR Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) – stakeholder consultations and documentation
  • LGU endorsements and resolutions
  • Social acceptability certifications

• Ensure proper documentation and audit trail for:

  • Public consultations
  • Community agreements
  • Stakeholder engagement records

• Coordinate with internal teams (Development, HSE, Legal, Engineering) to ensure alignment of social commitments with project execution.

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Construction Phase Support

• Coordinate community-related matters during construction, including:

  • Site access and local coordination
  • Local hiring and workforce engagement
  • Traffic and safety communications

• Proactively manage community expectations on:

  • Construction schedules
  • Temporary disruptions and mitigation measures

• Prevent and resolve community-related disruptions that may impact project timelines.

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Operations Phase Support

• Maintain long-term stakeholder relationships during plant operations.
• Ensure continued compliance with social commitments and ESG obligations.
• Support O&M teams in addressing ongoing community concerns and engagement programs.

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Reporting and Documentation

• Maintain comprehensive records of:

  • Stakeholder engagements and consultations
  • Grievances and resolutions
  • Community commitments and CSR activities

• Prepare:

  • Monthly Community Relations Reports
  • ESG / lender reporting requirements
  • Regulatory submissions related to social performance

• Support audits by lenders, regulators, and third-party consultants.

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Qualifications and Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Community Development, Environmental Studies, Public Administration, Communications, or related fields.

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Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience in community relations, stakeholder engagement, or external affairs.

• Experience in renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro), infrastructure, or large-scale construction projects is strongly preferred.

• Proven experience in:

  • LGU coordination and permitting processes
  • ECC-related public consultations
  • Landowner engagement or right-of-way support

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Skills and Competencies

• Strong stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills
• Conflict resolution and grievance handling expertise
• Excellent communication skills (English and Filipino; local dialect is an advantage)
• Strong documentation and reporting capabilities (audit-ready)
• High level of integrity, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism
• Ability to work in field-based and remote project locations