Community Relations Officer

As a Community Relations Officer at ESS Recruitment, you will be responsible for supporting our client's operations in Gabon by establishing and maintaining positive relationships between the project and local communities. Your role will involve fostering open dialogue, trust, and mutual respect to enhance community engagement and stakeholder management in a development or extractive industry context. Your key responsibilities will include developing, implementing, and monitoring community engagement strategies, as well as establishing strong relationships with local communities, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders. You will facilitate transparent dialogue between the company and communities, support grievance management processes, and assist in social baseline studies and community development initiatives. Additionally, you will ensure compliance with international best practices such as IFC Performance Standards, ESG, and HSEC requirements, while providing accurate and timely reporting on community relations activities to project management. Acting as a cultural and linguistic bridge between project teams and local stakeholders will also be part of your role. To be successful in this position, you should hold a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Community Development, Communication, or a related field, along with a minimum of 5 years of experience in community relations, stakeholder engagement, or social performance. Your experience should demonstrate strong conflict resolution, facilitation, and negotiation skills, particularly in multicultural and rural settings. Fluency in English and either Punu or Vili (both oral and written) is required, with French language skills being a strong asset. Familiarity with international standards such as IFC Performance Standards and ESG frameworks will also be advantageous. Key competencies for this role include excellent interpersonal and communication skills, high cultural awareness and sensitivity, strong organizational and reporting abilities, and the capacity to work independently and collaboratively. A commitment to ethical conduct and community empowerment is essential to excel in this position. Joining this project offers you the opportunity to contribute to a high-impact initiative in Gabon and play a meaningful role in building sustainable community relations. By becoming part of ESS Recruitment's network of professionals dedicated to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) excellence in Africa, you will be able to make a significant difference in fostering positive relationships between projects and local communities.,