South Africa: Community Liaison posted by Bright Placements

Job Purpose The Community Liaison Officer serves as the primary link between the organisation/company/project and the surrounding community. The role focuses on building positive relationships, addressing community concerns, supporting local employment initiatives, and ensuring smooth communication and cooperation throughout the project lifecycle. Key Responsibilities Community Engagement & Communication Act as the main point of contact between the organisation and the community. Facilitate clear communication regarding project activities, timelines, and impacts. Conduct community meetings, information sessions, and awareness campaigns. Address inquiries, complaints, and feedback in a professional and timely manner. Stakeholder Management Build and maintain strong relationships with community leaders, local authorities, traditional councils, and relevant stakeholders. Ensure community expectations are aligned with project deliverables. Keep detailed records of all engagement activities. Local Recruitment & Participation Assist in identifying and recruiting local labour in line with project requirements. Verify community member eligibility for employment opportunities. Support fair, transparent, and inclusive labour allocation processes. Conflict Resolution Identify potential community risks or tensions early. Mediate disputes between workers, contractors, and community members when needed. Escalate unresolved issues to management appropriately. Reporting & Administration Prepare regular reports on community engagement activities. Maintain logs of grievances, resolutions, meetings, and stakeholder interactions. Support social impact reporting and compliance with project conditions. Support for Social Projects Assist with the planning and implementation of community development initiatives. Facilitate partnerships with local organisations for skills development or outreach programmes. Qualifications Matric / Grade 12 (essential). Diploma or Certificate in Public Relations, Community Development, Social Sciences, or related field (advantageous). Experience 1–3 years in community engagement, stakeholder relations, or similar roles. Experience working on construction, mining, infrastructure, or development projects is beneficial. Experience dealing with community committees, leadership structures, and local labour. Technical Skills Strong communication skills (verbal, written, and presentation). Ability to manage conflict and facilitate discussions. Understanding of social dynamics, community structures, and cultural sensitivity. Basic administration, record-keeping, and reporting abilities. Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Core Competencies Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills. Problem-solving and conflict-resolution abilities. High level of professionalism, diplomacy, and confidentiality. Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Emotional intelligence and cultural awareness. Personal Attributes Approachable, patient, and community-oriented. Honest, ethical, and transparent. Adaptable and able to work in challenging environments. Reliable and proactive with strong time-management skills.