Employment opportunity: Community Liaison Officer

Purpose of the position

The primary purpose of the position is to establish and maintain the labour desk for the appointment of labour, skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled, throughout the duration of the project.

The CLO will assist with effective communication, labour coordination, community engagement and the management of local project-related matters to support the smooth implementation of the works.

Key duties and responsibilities

Act as the liaison between the contractor, project team, local community, workers, Ward Councillor as well as other relevant stakeholders.
Keep the community informed of project progress, employment opportunities, site requirements and related matters.
Assist with the recruitment, coordination and management of local labour where required.
Maintain clear communication with site management regarding community concerns, labour matters and possible grievances.
Assist in resolving community, labour and site-related issues in a professional and fair manner.
Identify possible labour disputes and any disciplinary matters and advise the site agent and assist in their resolution.
Keep daily records of communication, meetings, concerns raised and actions taken.
Provide regular feedback and reports to the contractor or project management team as required.
Attend disciplinary proceedings to ensure that hearings are fair and reasonable.
Ensure that all new employees understand the basis of labour-intensive construction and ensure that all labourers who are involved in activities in which tasks have been set are fully informed regarding the principle of task work.
Ensure that local labourers are informed of their conditions of temporary employment.
Assist both site agents and Main Contractors with the retrenchment of labour.
Attend all meetings in which the community/labour is present or is required to be represented. In particular, he/she attends the site meetings to report on the local community and labour issues.
Carry out any further duties which, in the opinion of the site agent, may be considered advantageous to the project.

Minimum requirements

Must have Matric / Grade 12.
Must be computer literate.
Must have previous construction Community Liaison Officer experience (5 years or more).
Must provide 3 previous employment references.
Must be able to communicate, read and write in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa.

Competencies and attributes

Good communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work with community members, workers, Ward Councillor, contractors and other relevant stakeholders.
Ability to handle conflict and sensitive matters professionally.
Reliable, accountable and able to work under pressure.
Good administrative and record-keeping skills.
Knowledge of construction site processes and local labour coordination will be advantageous.
Must be reliable and accountable.
Must know the area of Graaff-Reinet / Robert Sobukwe and nearby surrounding areas thoroughly.
Must be a resident of Graaff-Reinet / Robert Sobukwe and reside within these areas.
Must be currently unemployed.
Should have skills in conflict resolution.