Lands & Claims Officer

Role Overview

Service Scope:


Interacts with over 500 Families and more than 50 Communities within and beyond our concession area regarding Land acquisition, Claims investigation/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 Environments and other Authorized Bodies.
Coordinates with relevant Departments/Units (Production, Community Relation, Legal, HSE, EC&P, etc) on Land/Claims related issues.
Participates in the settlement/payment of Land Rent to Landlords and statutory tenement Rate to relevant Local Government Councils.
Addresses summons in court matters arising from Land/Claims issues
Facilitates mediation & conciliation of Land/Claims disputes within and among Families Communities.
Safeguards and defends Company' acquired lands from any encumbrances.
Collects or compiles relevant information on land acquired by the company for its operations.


Key Tasks:


Engage in land acquisition, claims investigations, homage and compensation payments to Land owners.
Assist in investigation/verification to determine rightful Land owners during acquisition, boundary identification, resurvey exercises and field visits/assessments with Land Consultants of the Company.
Facilitate processing and follow up payment requests for approved homage/compensation and statutory taxes (tenement rates/ land rents/etc).
Contribute to mediation/negotiation of compensation settlement to land owners and witness payments made by consultant payments to Land Owners.
Assist in conflict resolutions within and amongst Families within our concessionary scope, to prevent operational disruptions.
Represent and advocate for the Company in all summons inter alia Families, Communities, State & National Assemblies, Government Agencies and regulatory bodies (Min. of Justice, Min. of Environment, MENR, DPR, Etc), to resolve petitions arising from land acquired/claims.
Address statement of claims in court matters relating to Land acquired/Claims arising from the company's operations and represent the Company in court where necessary on matters relating or arising from land acquisition.
Compose legal documents- Deed of grants, indemnities, etc.
Address issues of encumbrances arising from Company's acquired lands.
Liaise and collaborate with other Divisions/Departments/Units on lands & claims matters.
Contribute to MOUs – sustainable development agreements.
Undertake other assignments delegated by hierarchy.


Work Environment:


Operate and interact with individuals in an environment that is volatile, frazzled, cantankerous and deprived in nature.
Somewhat illiterate population that strongly believes in deities (juju) and proliferations of shrines to address matters.
Land considered very sacred and invaluable heritage as the primary means for survival.
Collaborate and interact with other relevant Entities (Divisions, Department and units)- (HSE, EC&P, LEGAL, SECURITY, PRODUCTION, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, etc), to ensure effective teamwork in handling of any matter arising from third party.
Engage and interact with Host Families/Communities for peaceful and harmonious relationships.
Liaise with relevant Government Agencies, Local Government Councils, and other relevant bodies; State and National Assemblies, regulatory bodies, etc, regarding petitions, to facilitate peaceful resolution of conflicts for smooth operation in the workplace.


Responsibilities


Adhere to the policies and procedures for Land acquisition and Claims investigations relating to the company for effective and timely deliverables of tasks.
Ensure the prompt process, approval and payment of statutory rents, rates to land-owners, Local Govt Councils and expeditiously facilitate any demand for Land/Property acquisition to meet project implementation schedules of the Company and to create a favorable environment for execution of projects.
Collaborate with relevant Entities of the Company for the swift response/intervention of Claims issues arising from the Company's operation to maintain and sustain harmonious co-existence.
Maintain and update acquired land/claims register for effective operations.
Intervene through conflict resolution within and amongst Families agitations, to minimize disturbances/blockages, further conflicts and reduce production/operational cost for the Company.
Participate in HSE meetings and report anomalies.


Qualifications


Minimum of LL. B, BA/BSc degree in Humanities/Social science/Estate Management discipline.
Strong communication skills, computer proficiency with good numerical aptitude, self-motivated, results-oriented and a team player.
Ability to work under pressure, well-organized, diligent and proactive.
Capable of working with people at all levels.
Minimum of 5 years working experience in lands & Claims Management.