Community Relations Specialist Latam

Location

Santiago, Chile

Mission

At Zelestra Latam, we are looking for a Community Relations Specialist LATAM, based in Santiago, Chile. This person will be responsible for ensuring the proper social management of solar assets in operation across the region, guaranteeing compliance with regulatory obligations, commitments undertaken, and corporate social guidelines, as well as the adequate social performance of the assets.

The role has both a strategic and operational focus, aimed at managing social risks, maintaining the social license to operate, and overseeing social compliance by contractors, third parties, and operations teams, in accordance with the regulations in force in each country.

Additionally, this role will support the preparation and follow-up of prefeasibility assessments for pipeline and development-stage projects, providing social analysis inputs and early identification of risks and opportunities, with the objective of strengthening the future social viability of the projects. Likewise, the role will lead the definition and implementation of the social investment strategy, promoting sustainable, high-impact initiatives aligned with both the needs of the surrounding environment and the company’s corporate objectives.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with social obligations established in regulatory instruments, including DIAs, RCAs, environmental licenses, or other equivalent instruments depending on the country.
• Translate the regulatory social commitments of each operating plant into operational and verifiable Community Relations Plans.
• Standardize social management practices across all assets in the region, establishing social performance indicators that allow their impact on operations to be assessed in a timely manner.
• Identify, assess, and manage social risks that may affect asset operations, and implement preventive and corrective measures to mitigate social and reputational impacts.
• Oversee compliance with social obligations by O&M teams and SPV contractors.
• Prepare the O&M Social Annexes for plants entering operation, ensuring compliance with applicable social requirements and commitments.
• Support the preparation and updating of prefeasibility assessments for pipeline and development-stage projects, identifying early social risks and contributing to the definition of preventive measures to ensure the social viability of the projects.
• Oversee and strengthen the management of relationships with communities and key stakeholders, ensuring effective, transparent, and continuous communication with stakeholders, and promoting sustainable relationships in the areas of influence of the assets.
• Implement and oversee the systems for handling requests, complaints, claims, and suggestions for each operating plant, ensuring traceability, compliance with response times, effective resolution, and trend analysis for continuous improvement.
• Design, implement, and oversee the corporate social investment strategy for operating assets, identifying opportunities for high-impact social projects and evaluating the impact and sustainability of the initiatives implemented.
• Manage social investment projects within communities, as well as socio-community initiatives and projects, leveraging both public and company resources.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with internal areas to ensure the effective integration of social management into regional operations.
• Ensure compliance with international standards, including IFC, the Equator Principles, human rights, among others.
• Prepare reports, documents, and socio-environmental compliance reports for authorities, auditors, and the company, and support internal and external audits on social matters.
• Perform the duties inherent to the position, as well as any other responsibilities assigned by the immediate supervisor, provided they are consistent with the nature of the role.

Job Requirements

• Professional degree or academic background in Social Sciences, with specialization or relevant experience in community or social management.
• At least 8 years of professional experience in a similar role within the energy, mining, or oil and gas sectors.
• Proven experience working directly with communities in the field, including community relations processes and social management.
• Knowledge and experience in applying international social performance standards, including IFC Performance Standards, the Equator Principles, human rights, or other equivalent frameworks.
• Experience supervising or interacting with contractors and project teams on social compliance matters.
• Professional experience in other countries in the region will be considered a plus.
• Valid Class B driver’s license.
• Availability to work on-site in Santiago, Chile, and to travel within Chile and across the region.

What we offer

• Hybrid work.
• Health insurance.
• Other benefits.

Zelestra celebrates the diversity of thought and experience that comes from a variety of backgrounds including, but not limited to, gender, age and ethnicity. Our mission is to contribute to a more just and equitable society.

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