Indigenous Engagement Manager

Job summary

.

In the role of Indigenous Engagement Manager, you will support bp’s growing clean energy business in Western Australia, with a focus on building the relationships with first nations and broader community representatives that are crucial to support bp’s operatorship of global-scale, renewable-based energy projects.
It will be part of a team of communications and external affairs professionals, providing specialist advice on complex cultural, reputational, regulatory and operational issues to top bp leaders.

The role will span a broad range of indigenous and community engagement activities, managing the development and implementation of Indigenous Land Use Agreements, cultural heritage considerations, as well as long-term community partnerships.

The role will also provide assurance that local activities align with bp’s global first nations and community engagement policies and practices.

Key Accountabilities:
Specific tasks / activities, management, reporting, interfaces etc. Ideally about 5 distinct statements, describing the role in more detail, in terms of activities and output core to this role

• Provide best practice advice to business leaders on cultural heritage and native title matters
• Lead negotiation of Indigenous Land Use agreements in support of WA clean energy projects, with initial focus in the Pilbara.
• Oversee the development and implementation of comprehensive, long-term community partnerships that will help underpin sustainable projects.
• Ensure a deep organisational understanding of and respect for cultural heritage and the role that first nations play in shaping and delivering successful projects.
• Oversee governance of community partnerships, including consultation processes and innovative approaches to operations, employment and future opportunities.
• Understand legislative frameworks and cultural heritage obligations, ensuring compliance and continuous improvement in agreement-making
• Bring commercial and community drivers together, find solutions and establish protocols and frameworks for the future.
• Represent bp and hold senior relationships with First Nations, community and government representatives involved in cultural heritage and social investment.
• Work closely with Communications & External Affairs colleagues across Australia, particularly in the areas of Government Affairs and Community outreach.
• Help develop a team of high-performing, culturally aware community engagement professionals.
• Support delivery of bp’s Group Defined Practice in relation to First Nations and host communities.

• BA degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. This could include cultural heritage, communications, environmental management, economics or social and political sciences.
• Extensive experience in relevant industries with proven competencies in developing and implementing Land Use Agreements
• In depth knowledge of cultural heritage and native title processes and procedures.
• Track record of successful engagement and agreement-making with indigenous and non-indigenous community stakeholders.
• Knowledge of regulatory aspects and familiarity with the interplay between government, community and traditional owner groups.
• Excellent networking capability and inter-personnel skills
• Experience of coordinating activities across internal and external organizational boundaries
• A proven ability to work on and manage multiple, simultaneous projects and achieve successful outcomes.
• Good leadership skills, with good communication and collaboration ability.