Job Overview:

The role also involves managing the acquisition & renewal of all necessary permits and licenses as well as maintaining up-to-date records of all permits and licenses required for the company’s operations. This requires a proactive, action driven attitude and a high level of responsiveness towards issues that may arise.The Licensing and Permitting Officer in close collaboration with the Streamline coordinator and the Land team, ensures that the necessary land is acquired efficiently and in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The role is accountable for acquiring land on time and within budget, proactive internal and external communication as well as compliance to the core process of Land acquisition. The objective is to acquire all land and accompanying document before the Construction Milestone.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Permits and Licenses coordinator

• Lead the Licensing process by identifying all necessary permits and licenses required for the company’s operations on time.

• Manage the application and renewal process for all permits and licenses. • Ensure all permits and licenses are up-to-date and compliant with local, state, and federal regulations.

• Maintain organized records of all permits and licenses.

• Coordinate with relevant authorities and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance.

• Provide guidance and support to internal departments on regulatory requirements.

• Develop and manage budgets for land acquisition activities. Monitor expenses and ensure acquisitions are completed within allocated budgets.

2. Land Acquisition

• Identify key stakeholders in projects and develop relationships with them. • Engage with landowners to secure land rights for projects.

• Follow up on statutory requirements to access land.

• Lead negotiations with communities and land owners for consent to access land and managing arising demands and needs.

• Manage resettlement and easement processes within International Standards, specifically International Finance Corporation Performance Standard 5 (IFC PS5) on land acquisition and involuntary resettlement, IFC PS7 on indigenous peoples and World Bank’s Environmental and Social Sustainability Standards.

• Engage government stakeholders including County governments, Ministry of Lands Housing and Urban & Development, Kenya Forest Service, Water Resources Management Authority, Kenya Power, and Negotiate to facilitate relevant government approvals for land development.

3. Initial Research

• Identify potential land parcels for acquisition through market research, site visits, and analysis of property listings.

• Gather information on property ownership, land use, zoning regulations, and environmental considerations

4. Due Diligence Support

• Assist in conducting thorough due diligence on identified properties, including title searches, environmental assessments, and site evaluations.

• Coordinate with surveyors, appraisers, and other professionals to obtain necessary evaluations and reports.

5. Stakeholder Communication

• Serve as a point of contact for landowners, government officials, and other stakeholders.

• Facilitate communication and negotiation between the coordinator and property owners to ensure smooth transactions.

6. Documentation and Record-Keeping

• Prepare and organize legal documents related to land acquisition, such as purchase agreements, easements, leases, and title documents.

• Maintain accurate and detailed records of all land acquisition activities, including correspondence, contracts, and transaction details, such as PD Masterfile and the budget as well as correct documentation on SharePoint.

7. Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure that all land acquisition activities comply with local, state, and federal regulations.

• Initiate and assist in preparing applications, permits, and other documents required for regulatory approvals.

8. Budget and Financial Management

• Assist in developing and managing budgets for land acquisition projects. • Monitor expenses related to land acquisition activities and ensure adherence to budgetary constraints.

9. Project Coordination

• Coordinate with internal teams, including project managers, engineers, and legal counsel, to align land acquisition activities with overall project timelines and objectives.

• Track project milestones and ensure timely acquisition of land to meet project deadlines.

10. Community Engagement:

• Help address community concerns related to land acquisition and project development.

• Participate in public meetings, hearings, and consultations as required to represent the organization and gather feedback.

11. Problem-Solving:

• Identify and help resolve issues or disputes related to land acquisition, such as boundary disputes, title issues, and compensation concerns.

• Implement contingency plans to mitigate risks associated with land acquisition delays or challenges.

12. Reporting and Analysis:

• Provide regular updates to the Streamline Coordinator on the progress of land acquisition efforts.

• Analyse market trends and property values to inform acquisition strategies and support decision-making processes.

13. Learning & Development

• Continuously strive to develop your knowledge and skills further.

• Engage proactively with colleagues in your team and cross-functionally to improve and enhance efficiency.

• Perform any additional duties related to the above-mentioned duties and responsibilities that your supervisor may assign you.

Key Skills and Competencies

➢ Leadership

• Show leadership in the process of Licensing and advice management on upcoming activities for licensing

➢ Team building & Empathy

• Build and maintain positive relationships with team members and stakeholders.

➢ Analytical Thinking

• Identify and resolve any issues that arise during licensing and land acquisition in a timely manner.

➢ Proactiveness, Thoroughness & Precision

• Ensure that all work meets the required standards and specifications.

➢ Flexibility, Innovation & Process improvement

• Ability to adapt to changing conditions and continuously seek improvement in processes