Community Relations Officer, PH

About Us

Levanta Renewables is a renewable energy developer and independent power producer in Southeast Asia. We develop, build and deliver renewable energy solutions that work for each country in support of its transition to renewable energy, and do so in a sustainable manner while helping local communities. With a shared goal towards helping Southeast Asia realize its energy transition and net zero targets, Levanta is backed by Actis, a leading sustainable infrastructure private equity firm. We are developing 1.5 GW of renewable energy projects in Southeast Asia through M&A and greenfield development of C&I and utility scale projects.

Due to business expansion, we are seeking a Community Relations Officer, PH to be based in Barotec Viejo, Philippines, reporting to Social Advisor, PH in the Sustainability department.

The objective of the position of the project officer for ESG is to provide technical support to the development, and implementation of the environment, social and local governance initiatives identified by the Sustainability Team in the project area.

The Community Relations Officer, PH shall provide technical, coordination support in the development, conceptualization and implementation of the programs in support of the capacity development in the project area. These shall include the various initiatives on local governance, social accountability, local profiling, and local service delivery.

Role & Responsibilities

Overall Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop plans and strategies with the Sustainability Team in the implementation of administration related programs and projects
• Review, identify and develop key policy areas in the political, social and economic strategies for the project area
• Coordinate and liaise with technical experts that can assist in the key deliverables of the project such as census, planning, resettlement, land acquisition and other requirements

Environmental & Social Due Diligence (ESDD)

Objectives:

• Identify potential E&S risks associated with the project, focusing on social and economic issues arising from land acquisition and resettlement in compliance with local, national, and international regulations and standards
• Identify the land use / right / ownership of the project land areas including solar site and other ancillary facilities (i.e., access road, transmission line, laydown area, temporary workers’ camp and etc)
• Identify the potential project affected people and any vulnerable person(s) or groups
• Assess whether the proposed land acquisition process is considered ‘willing buyer/willing seller’ as defined by IFC PS 5
• Assess the potential economic displacement of land users such as renters, tenants, and rent-free occupants due to the project land acquisition
• Assess whether there are any legacy issues regarding land acquisition and resettlement in the project area

Scope:

• Site visit to the project areas including solar site and other ancillary facilities (i.e., access road, transmission line, laydown area, workers’ camp and etc.)
• Review of documentation provided by the Client
• Identify and map preliminary stakeholders and develop a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP)
• Interview key informants living near or with knowledge about the project components to understand the land use and land ownership history in the area
• Consult with relevant authorities to understand the land acquisition requirements
• Assess the existing land markets in the area, and the compensation offered by the Client
• Supervise and coordinate the collection of baseline information and data and its analysis in preparation and to ensure information and data are consistent and validated
• Coordinate technical reviews and provide substantive feedback from various internal and external review processes including project evaluation
• Engage and empower civil society organizations, community-based organizations and other non-governmental organizations to take lead in promoting community based natural resource management including the management of protected areas
• Develop community competence and capacity to understand the roles on the importance of independent monitoring and evaluation
• Reduce gender discrimination and strengthen women leadership in natural resource development decision making processes at the community level
• Improve linkages and coordination of national, provincial, and local community initiatives and activities
• Design community mobilization tools to engage communities for social action and to ensure land tenure system does not affect effective project management
• Propose E&S considerations into land acquisition framework and strategy and develop these together with Client and the project team
• Prepare the documentation to all the consultation with stakeholders (minutes of meetings, attendance sheets and photos), and short reports of all key informant interviews and consultation meetings
• For specific tasks, such as the development of maps, organization of meetings with government officials, and logistic arrangements for accommodation and transport to/from site and other relevant locations, the consultant will be supported by the Client
• Identify the needed social safeguards compliance needed to be addressed following the IFC PS5 principles (i.e. participative and meaningful consultations through information education campaign (IEC) and public consultation meeting (PCM))
• Conduct of project perception survey, desktop review of secondary data from LGU (i.e. CLUP, CDP, ecological profile), social impact assessment, and a land acquisition and resettlement framework (LARAF) to screen potential impacts, establishment of ownership of assets and tagging, public consultations, parcellary survey, entitlement matrix, grievance redress mechanisms, prepare SDP, LRP, gender action plan and mainstreaming)
• Identify the environmental and social risks associated with a project such as:

+ Project description and context

+ Regulatory and Institutional Framework

+ Environmental and Social Baseline Assessment

+ Air, water, and soil quality

+ Biodiversity and ecosystems

+ Community health and safety

+ Socio-economic conditions of affected communities

+ Identify sensitive environmental receptors (e.g., protected areas, endangered species habitats)

+ Prepare the detailed cost estimates in conducting a comprehensive E&S Due Diligence in accordance with IFC PS 5 and in securing national regulatory requirements

+ Develop an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) Framework

+ Identify required social and environmental permits and approvals for the project

Ideal candidate should possess

• At least three years of professional experience in any of the following fields: a) environment conservation and natural resource management; b) social and community development; c) local governance and stakeholder engagement and management
• Experience in development issues, policies and programs relating to environment and natural resource management and their impacts, promoting sustainable financing, growth in human development and poverty reduction
• Experience with partnerships with donors, local and national government counterparts, communities, the private sector and civil society
• Must be highly analytical and results-oriented with the ability to manage and work well in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams
• Ability to facilitate workshops, training and similar assemblies
• Must possess excellent communication skills in written and verbal English
• Preferably conversant in the local dialect of the project areas; to speak with conversational skills using the local language (ability to communicate in the vernacular
• Ability to work in an organized and systematic manner and demonstrate professionalism with high level of integrity in the day-to-day performance of duty
• Good computer skills and knowledge and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource

Why Levanta

We are an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where diversity and inclusion are valued at every level. We actively seek to recruit talent from diverse backgrounds and communities without regard to gender, identity, race, religion, nationality, age, marital status, disability, or any other protected status, by law.

We believe in creating a culture where everyone can thrive and contribute to our collective success and as a company, we are committed to supporting and facilitating your growth and aspirations. If we can do anything to make your interview positive and comfortable, please let us know.

Interested candidate please apply directly through our website at https://www.levantarenewables.com/join-us/community-relations-officer-ph/

Please refer to job description.