Principal Corporate Affairs Fixed-Term | Escondida

About the Role

The role´s main objective is to lead, coordinate and execute the implementation of Escondida´s engagement strategy with Indigenous Peoples. This role collaborates with a broader Corporate Affairs and regulatory permitting team aimed at achieving critical business milestones in ways that reflect BHP´s global Indigenous Peoples policy, while also enhancing the Company´s reputation, managing non-technical risks and contributing to social value creation. The role translates strategy into operational plans for the department in the pursuit of operational excellence.

Main Accountabilities

• Leads the relationship with Indigenous Peoples on behalf of Escondida. Responsible of engaging with Indigenous Peoples and to develop partnership relations with them, in accordance with BHP Declaration on Indigenous Peoples Policy.
• Works in partnership with Escondida´s business and functional teams to develop and implement a Stakeholder Engagement Management Plan in support of business objectives.
• Develop relationships with internal and external stakeholders to understand priority issues and concerns, and ensures complaints are identified and addressed to enhance Escondida’s reputation and standing in the community.
• Contributes to communications plans and responses to Indigenous partners, media, investors and other stakeholders as required, particularly with regards to key issues occurring within Escondida’s operations within the community.
• Leads the Escondida´s approach to free, prior and informed consent with Indigenous peoples in order to inform decision making processes related to ongoing operations and the development of future Escondida´s projects.
• Leads the negotiation of new agreements or updating current agreements with Indigenous Peoples, required to ensure the continued growth of our operations aligned to our company position on free, prior and informed consent.
• A key advisor on Indigenous engagement matters for senior project, operational and Functional leaders across Escondida.
• Oversight of key activities that are occurring within the community and provide advice to the broader Corporate Affairs and Projects and Operations teams.
• Leads strategic analysis, design, execution and monitoring of Escondida´s Social Investment program as it relates to Indigenous Peoples.
• Leads efforts to increase the allocation of Escondida´s social investment expenditure to projects targeted at increasing voice, participation and other outcomes with Indigenous Peoples.

About You

To be a top performer you will need:

• The role is based in the Antofagasta Region. You are expected to live in Antofagasta.
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in delivering Indigenous engagement strategies for resource development projects.
• Knowledge and experience with Indigenous consultation processes in Chile, related legislation and policy, and international standards for Indigenous engagement such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the concept of Free, Prior and Informed Consent.
• Knowledge and experience in the mining (or related) sector, particularly in relation to regulatory processes, environmental assessments, risk management and international standards on sustainability.
• Proven ability to establish relationships with Indigenous communities and associations in Chile based on trust, partnership, and mutual respect.
• High ability to develop ideas in writing. Commercial skills and experience related to agreement-making and implementation with Indigenous organizations related to natural resource projects.
• Knowledge and experience with social investment programs is considered an asset, particularly in relation to the design, management, and evaluation of community investment programs.
• Knowledge and experience with socio-environmental projects is considered an asset, including collaborative monitoring programs, ecosystem conservation, cultural heritage and related projects.
• Knowledge and experience with business development and procurement processes.
• Experience coordinating policy and programs with industry groups.
• English requirement: basic level. However, a good level of written and oral English will be an advantage.