Lands & Claims Officer

Regarding the Position

Service Dimensions:


Engage with over 500 families and more than 50 communities within and beyond our concession area concerning land acquisition, claim investigations/compensation, and/or property matters involving host families/communities, land consultants, external lawyers, government agencies, state & national assemblies, regulatory bodies (DPR, OPTS, Federal & State Ministries of Environment), and other authorized entities.
Coordinate with relevant departments/units (Production, Community Relations, Legal, HSE, EC&P, etc.) on land/claims-related issues.
Participate in the settlement/payment of land rent to landlords and statutory tenement rates to relevant local government councils.
Address summons in court matters arising from land/claims issues.
Facilitate mediation & conciliation of land/claims disputes within and among families/communities.
Safeguard and defend company-acquired lands from any encumbrances.
Collect or compile relevant information on land acquired by the company for its operations.


Activities:


Contribute to land acquisition, claims investigations, homage, and compensation payments to landowners.
Assist in investigations/verifications to determine rightful landowners during acquisition, boundary identification, resurvey exercises, and field visits/assessments with the company's land consultants.
Facilitate processing and follow-up of payment requests for approved homage/compensation and statutory taxes (tenement rates/land rents/etc).
Take part in mediation/negotiation of compensation settlements with landowners and witness payments made by consultants to landowners.
Engage in conflict resolution within and among families within our concession scope to prevent operational disruptions.
Represent and defend the company in all summons involving families, communities, state & national assemblies, government agencies, and regulatory bodies (Min. of Justice, Min. of Environment, MENR, DPR, etc.) to resolve petitions arising from acquired land/claims.
Respond to statements of claims in court matters relating to acquired land/claims arising from the company's operations and represent the company in court when necessary on matters related to or arising from land acquisition.
Prepare legal documents such as deeds of grant, indemnities, etc.
Address issues of encumbrances arising from company-acquired lands.
Interact, liaise, and collaborate with other divisions/departments/units on land & claims matters.
Contribute to MOUs – sustainable development agreements.
Perform other tasks assigned by the hierarchy.


Context and Environment:


Work and interact with people in a volatile, frazzled, cantankerous, and deprived environment.
Engage with a somewhat illiterate population that strongly believes in deities (juju) and has a proliferation of shrines to address issues.
Deal with land that is considered sacred and an invaluable heritage as the only means of survival.
Collaborate and interact with other relevant entities (divisions, departments, and units) - (HSE, EC&P, LEGAL, SECURITY, PRODUCTION, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, etc.) to ensure effective teamwork in handling any third-party matters.
Work and interact with host families/communities to maintain peaceful and harmonious relationships.
Engage with relevant government agencies, local government councils, and other relevant bodies, including state and national assemblies and regulatory bodies, regarding petitions to facilitate peaceful conflict resolution for smooth operations in the workplace.


Accountabilities


Adhere to policies and procedures for land acquisition and claims investigations related to the company for effective and timely task delivery.
Ensure prompt processing, approval, and payment of statutory rents and rates to landowners and local government councils, and expedite any demand for land/property acquisition to meet the company's project implementation schedules and create a favorable environment for project execution.
Collaborate with relevant company entities for quick response/intervention on claims issues arising from the company's operations to maintain and sustain harmonious coexistence.
Maintain and update acquired land/claims register for effective operations.
Intervene through conflict resolution within and among families' agitations to reduce disturbances/blockages, prevent further conflicts, and save production/operational costs for the company.
Attend HSE meetings and report anomalies.


Requirements


Minimum of LL. B, BA / BSc degree in Humanities / Social Science / Estate Management discipline.
Minimum of 5 years of working experience in lands & claims management.
Excellent communication skills, computer proficiency with strong numerical aptitude, self-driven, results-oriented, and a team player.
Ability to work under pressure, well-organized, diligent, and proactive.
Skills to work with people at all levels.
Catchment REBISI.



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