Job Objective
As Country Manager, you will act as the company’s principal representative with relevant government departments and key stakeholders, ensuring alignment and coordination across all company activities. You will lead the Asset Protection, Community Relations, and Office Support Teams, and devise integrated strategies to protect company assets, personnel, and operations. The role includes implementing ESG policies, managing local employment and service contracts, and building strong relationships with authorities and community leaders. You will also work closely with internal departments to develop and execute the Workforce Development Plan.
Key Responsibilities
The Country Manager is responsible for all matters that may be affected by surface risks, including employment, land rights and rentals, local economic impact, and operational footprint expansion. You will lead the Asset Protection and Community Relations Teams to ensure all security and community engagement functions comply with company policies and directives. The Country Manager will also ensure that all obligations relating to company operations are fully met, including:
1. Government and Industry Liaison:
- Engage with relevant government departments, agencies, and advisory roles as required.
- Establish formal and informal relationships with contractor leadership, other industry country managers, and represent the company at industry conferences and social engagements
- Chair or represent the company in local hiring committees, where applicable
- Develop and manage community employment and service opportunities that meet multi-stakeholder needs
- Integrate workforce development plans with local hiring initiatives
- Oversee contractor management, local hiring/service expectations, salary alignment, and disciplinary actions to ensure consistency and due diligence
- Administer local personnel matters, including salary alignment, clearances, and disciplinary actions
- Liaise with community service providers and manage local service provision, including rental equipment and vehicles
- Maintain a database of local hires, including relevant details for personnel and equipment
- Manage local grievance procedures for personnel complaints
- Support recruitment, training, and development of key national staff
- Serve as the main point of contact for all security-related issues and report incidents to the relevant senior executive without delay
- Build and maintain an effective Asset Protection organization, delegating responsibilities to relevant managers
- Manage Asset Protection contracts and contractors to ensure performance and compliance with company principles
- Provide physical security and facilitate journey management for personnel
- Maintain and expand security intelligence sources and provide induction and ongoing situational awareness for personnel
- Oversee field security operations to protect personnel, contractors, and equipment
- Liaise with regional security forces as required
- Oversee community engagement strategies to ensure effective communication, constructive dialogue, and the company’s social license to operate
- Develop media relations to enhance the company’s local image and reputation
- Implement Community Relations strategies based on environmental, social, and health assessments
- Deliver social investment projects in line with CSR policies and budgets
- Liaise with tribal leadership, government bodies, and local NGOs to implement community-benefiting initiatives
- Prepare community protection plans aligned with emergency response protocols and lead crisis communications when required
- Oversee land acquisition and compensation processes for operational sites in compliance with regulations
- Provide input for operational planning, contracting strategy, and cross-functional risk management
- Support contractor management and align roles and responsibilities on social and community matters
- Ensure internal awareness and compliance to manage social impacts effectively
- Coordinate with asset protection and community relations teams to safeguard operations
- Manage community and staff-related incidents, act as Incident Commander during emergencies, and oversee local income distribution and stakeholder complaints
- Oversee local procurement, ensuring adherence to company procedures and inventory controls
- Act as branch manager and oversee the legal responsibilities of sub-branches and office managers
- Coordinate with legal providers for government approvals, compliance, and company legal matters
- Manage work permits, residency permits, and import/export tax clearances
- Ensure employee compliance with relevant advisory services
- Approve petty cash, budgets, service invoices, and staff payroll-related timesheets
Requirements
- 15-20 years of total project administration related experience, including leadership, project management, personnel management and oil and gas experience
- Experience with International oil and gas operations preferred
- Must lead by example and embody the culture of ethical behavior (integrity, honesty, trust, teamwork and collegiality)
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, communication and cross-cultural skills
- Demonstrated ability to make decisions and recommendations within established policies and procedures
- Ability to prioritize and plan workloads and meet competing deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment of an international junior oil and gas company
- Ability to create and manage an effective organization, focusing on senior-level management and effectively delegating divisional responsibilities to department managers
- Demonstrated record of diligence and attention to detail, working with very high standards both personally and technically
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and business needs with innovative solutions
- Self-motivated with a high level of enthusiasm and energy, coupled with a strong work ethic and genuine pride in work
- Must commit to the vision, mission and management philosophy that supports dignity and respect throughout the organization
- Be an effective delegator and avoid the tendency to micro-manage, also be prepared to take on small tasks if the situation and expediency warrant
Competencies
- Project and Time Management
- Relationship Management
- Business Acumen
- Problem Solving/Decision Making
- Results Driven
- Cross-Cultural Skills
*Only applicants meeting the strict criteria outlined above will be contacted as part of the shortlisting process.