Social Performance Lead

We are looking for a passionate and experienced Social Performance professional who is motivated by creating meaningful, positive impact for communities, as part of an international organisation with growing activities in Namibia. The Social Performance Lead plays a key role in building trust with stakeholders, managing social impacts responsibly, and driving socio-economic development around operations. Reporting to the HSSE Manager, this position is ideal for someone who thrives in community-focused work, brings strong engagement and leadership skills, and is committed to leaving a lasting, positive legacy in Namibia.

Pillar 1 — Stakeholder Engagement

Build trusted, continuous, and structured dialogue with stakeholders to support operational acceptability and manage social risks.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, update, and implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) and Community Relations Plan.
• Conduct and supervise community meetings, consultations, workshops, and bilateral engagements.
• Maintain a robust grievance mechanism to ensure concerns are registered, investigated, resolved, and tracked.
• Support management with culturally appropriate communication and engagement strategies.
• Develop and ensure consistent messaging across all community-facing teams.
• Mentor and supervise Community Liaison Officer(s) / Social Performance Officer(s) to strengthen engagement practices and reporting quality.

Pillar 2 — Impact Management

Identify, assess, and manage social risks and impacts associated with operations and projects. Ensure compliance with organisational requirements, local regulations, and international standards.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and contribute to ESIA-related activities, including fieldwork, surveys, interviews, baseline studies, study reviews, and consultant coordination on social aspects.
• Ensure compliance with social performance standards.
• Lead the creation and implementation of social performance tools, including checklists, templates, KPIs, and dashboards.
• Monitor social impacts, non-conformances, risks, and mitigation measures.
• Provide regular social risk assessment updates to the HSSE Manager and relevant departments.

Pillar 3 — Socio-Economic Development

Design and deliver impactful social investment initiatives that support community needs and organisational priorities.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of the Social Investment Strategy aligned with community needs and organisational objectives.
• Build partnerships with authorities, NGOs, community organisations, and development agencies.
• Ensure social investment projects are implemented effectively, sustainably, within budget, and demonstrate measurable outcomes.
• Review and adapt the Social Investment Strategy based on lessons learned and stakeholder feedback.
• Promote internal and external support for social investment initiatives.

Monitoring, Reporting & Governance

Ensure transparent, accurate, and compliant social performance reporting.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement social performance governance procedures aligned with organisational standards.
• Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual social performance reports.
• Maintain accurate data and documentation on internal platforms.
• Track stakeholder engagements, grievances, commitments, and community expectations.
• Ensure compliance with internal reporting obligations and regulatory requirements.
• Promote HSE culture and adhere to ethical standards in all community interactions.

Leadership & Collaboration

Provide strong leadership to the Social Performance team and ensure coordination across departments.

Responsibilities:

• Supervise and develop the Social Performance team, including Community Liaison Officer(s) / Social Performance Officer(s).
• Collaborate closely with internal teams to ensure organisational consistency.
• Represent the organisation in high-level engagements with authorities, NGOs/CSOs, communities, and institutional partners.
• Support internal capacity building on social performance principles, tools, and best practices.

Other Responsibilities

• Maintain full confidentiality in all matters.
• Actively participate in HSE training, apply internal HSE policies, report anomalies, and promote HSE culture with stakeholders.

Accountabilities

• Deliver high-quality social performance across all three pillars.
• Ensure effective implementation and follow-up of the grievance mechanism.
• Ensure social studies comply with organisational requirements, local regulations, and international best practices.
• Accountable for achieving social investment objectives from both developmental and business perspectives.
• Supervise and develop Community Liaison Officer(s) / Social Performance Officer(s).
• Ensure compliant social performance monitoring and reporting.
• Contribute to a positive legacy within host communities through successful social investment initiatives.

This position is open to Namibian citizens only.

• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g., Community Development, Sustainability, Anthropology, Sociology, Communication, or Social Sciences).
• Minimum of 15 years’ professional experience in social investment and stakeholder management within an international development agency or industry.

Proven experience in:

• Developing and implementing stakeholder engagement and community relations plans
• Identifying community development needs and opportunities
• Recruiting and managing implementing partners for social investment programmes
• Implementing and monitoring social investment initiatives
• Hands-on execution of Stakeholder Engagement Plans and social investment strategies
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage government authorities, communities, industry, NGOs/CSOs, and international organisations.
• Strong ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and mentor and manage teams.
• High level of discretion, diplomacy, and conflict management skills.
• Strong computer and analytical skills.
• Flexibility for business travel within Namibia.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Fluent spoken proficiency in at least two additional Namibian languages.
• Strong ethics, reliability, and professional integrity.
• Excellent active listening and presentation skills.

Closing date: 23 February 2026