Community Liaison Officer (Nanyuki)

Department: Human Rights Department 

Reports to: Human Rights Manager

Operational Interface: Farms, factories, security, transport, contractors, local administration, community leadership structures

Location: Site-based with regular field engagement

Grade: Mid-level Professional

Role Purpose

The Community Liaison Officer is responsible for building, maintaining, and strengthening constructive relationships between the company and surrounding host communities. The role ensures that community concerns, expectations, and priorities are identified, understood, communicated internally, and addressed in a timely and culturally appropriate manner, in alignment with Kenyan law and international best practice. The role supports the company’s social license to operate by facilitating dialogue, preventing conflict, supporting community-level grievance management, and promoting mutual understanding between the company and affected stakeholders.

Scope of Engagement

The role covers engagement with:

1. Local communities adjacent to farms, factories, and transport corridors

2. Local administration, elders, and community-based organisations

3. Youth, women’s groups, and vulnerable community members

4. Community representatives engaging with company operations

5. Internal operational teams whose activities affect communities

Core Responsibilities

1. Community engagement and relationship building: Establish and maintain regular, respectful engagement with community leaders, groups, and representatives affected by company operations.

2. Stakeholder mapping and analysis: Identify community stakeholders, assess interests and risks, and maintain updated stakeholder engagement records.

3. Community issue identification: Proactively identify emerging community concerns related to land use, employment, security, environment, or operations.

4. Two-way communication: Facilitate clear, accurate communication between the company and communities on operational activities, changes, and commitments.

5. Support to grievance mechanisms: Assist community members to access grievance channels and support fair, timely resolution of community-related grievances.

6. Conflict prevention and mediation: Support early dialogue and informal mediation to prevent escalation of community disputes or tensions.

7. Internal coordination: Work with operational, security, HR, and contractor teams to address community impacts and ensure consistent messaging.

8. Documentation and reporting: Record community engagements, issues raised, actions taken, and outcomes for internal reporting and audits.

9. Monitoring commitments: Track and follow up on company commitments made to communities to ensure delivery and credibility.

10. Community awareness and sensitisation: Support awareness initiatives on company policies, grievance processes, and codes of conduct.

11. Risk and impact feedback: Provide management with early warnings on potential social, reputational, or operational risks arising from community issues.

12. Continuous improvement: Contribute to improving community engagement strategies and prevention of recurring community concerns. Authority and Accountability The Community Liaison Officer is authorised to:

1. Represent the company in community meetings at site level.

2. Access relevant operational information necessary for engagement.

3. Escalate unresolved or sensitive matters for management attention.

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Conflict Management and Resolution, Peace & Social Studies, Community Development, Environmental Studies, Public Administration, or related field.

2. At least 2-3 years’ experience in community relations, stakeholder engagement, or social performance roles.

3. Demonstrated experience working with rural or peri-urban communities.

4. Training in mediation, conflict resolution, or participatory development.

5. Experience in agriculture, manufacturing, extractives, or infrastructure-related operations.

Skills and Competencies

1. Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills

2. Cultural sensitivity and respect for local governance structures

3. Clear verbal and written communication abilities

4. Conflict management and negotiation skills

5. Ability to operate independently in field-based environments

6. Good documentation and reporting capability

Personal Attributes

1. Integrity and professionalism

2. Patience and diplomacy

3. Accountability and follow-through

4. Strong listening skills and empathy

5. Confidence in engaging diverse stakeholders