Analyst: Community Liaising Officer (Matlosana Municipality Area)

Enexor BioEnergy is seeking a Community Liaising Officer in the Matlosana Municipality area. The role involves stakeholder management, community engagement, and implementing social impact strategies. Responsibilities include developing a Community Engagement plan, liaising with local stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with corporate social responsibility initiatives. The position requires strong project management skills and a passion for community development.
About the Company

Since its establishment in 2008, Mulilo has grown into one of South Africa’s leading Independent Power Producers (IPP). Mulilo is majority owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), with Norfund also investing in the company through the Norwegian Climate Investment Fund.

Mulilo develops, constructs and operates utility scale wind, solar PV and battery energy storage projects across South Africa. The company currently operates 450 MW of wind and solar capacity, with a further 765 MW under construction. A portfolio exceeding 2 GW is advancing toward financial close, while the long-term development pipeline exceeds 30 GW.

Mulilo has concluded power purchase agreements under the South African government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), as well as private offtake agreements with several large corporate energy users.

Mulilo places strong emphasis on its people and recognises that successful infrastructure delivery depends on capable and committed teams. Mulilo prides itself on providing a world class working environment for its employees, placing strong value on career progression and personal growth. The company is guided by strong ethical principles and adheres to its environmental, social and governance responsibilities.

About this role

Mulilo is expanding its Social Impact outlook to include BEE strategy, Economic Development, Social Impact, Bursary Fund Management and ESG integration. In this new and expanded team, you will use your stakeholder management experience to provide internal and external stakeholders with assurance that all our implementation, reporting and compliance obligations are met. You will also work closely with our Social Impact and Corporate Affairs teams to identify and implement a Community Engagement plan.

The role requires building rapport and fostering relationships, managing community relations, identifying and addressing community outreach strategies. This selected individual will be responsible for understanding the Corporate Affairs and Social Impact strategy as designed by Senior Management and ensuring that the strategy is delivered through execution diligence.

This role requires a real passion for making a positive impact in communities, working with others and delivering on strategy. Your strong project management capabilities, structure, logic and attention to detail will make you successful in this role.

Duties and responsibilities

Stakeholder Management
• Co-create and deliver on a Community Engagement plan;
• Develop and maintain an understanding of economic profiles and needs of the region and community;
• Assist with the day-to-day liaison with various stakeholders within the designated communities i.e. Communities, Community Trusts, Non-Governmental Organisations, Business Chamber, Landowners and the municipality;
• Keep up with the weekly and daily developments of the project;
• Ensure formal meetings, between Mulilo Head Office and various stakeholders, are organized once a quarter at the very least, including organizing meeting spaces;
• Provide a link between local service providers/contractors/resources and the Project Company by ensuring that relevant stakeholders gain access to economic development opportunities by disseminating information to small business and community;
• Provide answers to questions, about the project, from relevant stakeholders and keeping the sponsors of the project informed;
• Perform other duties as may be assigned

Mobilisation, building rapport and fostering relationships
• Manage the expectations of the local community;
• Participate in Community Stakeholder Forums to build relationships.
• Keep Management informed of community affairs and any possible dynamics, objectively report items/trends/issues that may emerge and impact the implementation of project company programmes;
• Communicate with agencies, businesses and communities who seek business opportunity

Support conflict resolution and mediation
• Implement grievance mechanisms for communities;
• Respond to community concerns by ensuring that they are brought to the attention of Social Impact and ESG teams and facilitate the process of resolving the issue;
• Mediate issues between the community members and the sponsors of the project;

Document management
• Maintain detailed and accurate indicators and record of meetings including agendas, meeting minutes, follow-up/action points, pictures. Details of meeting held or cancelled should also be maintained;
• Gather information and provide clear and objective reporting for the Project Company for reporting to government and other relevant institutions;
• Deliver documents to all the interested parties and similarly receive and collect documents from both external and internal parties relating to the project company;

Monitoring and evaluation of stakeholder engagements
• Responsible for the stakeholder feedback platform for the purpose of improving services and programs provided and forecasting future needs of the district and community.
• Provide a quality assurance role in the implementation programme(s) of the project company.
• Support administrative activities including compliance and economic development obligations; implementation, reporting and forecasting
• Support the preparation of information and presentations for Mulilo Group and Project Company board meetings

and/or shareholders

Required skills and education background.
• Bachelor’s degree or National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Public Relations, Social sciences, Communications or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability in stakeholder management, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in Community engagement, stakeholder relations or public affairs.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to build consensus and influence decision-making among diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities, with a proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office productivity tools
• Commitment to sustainability and renewable energy development, with a passion for driving positive social and impact through finance and investment.

Desirable attributes

The ideal candidate would have a passion for the Renewable Energy sector and personality traits would include a high level of diligence, determination, resilience, and agility.

Mulilo is an employer of choice and is offering an extremely competitive total remuneration package for this position.

Additional Information

Able to work overtime according to operational needs.