Lands & Claims Officer at Benmaris Limited

About the Role
Service Dimensions:

• Relates with over 500 Families/ and over 50 Communities within and outside our concessions area in regards Land acquisition, Claims investigation/compensation and/or Property matters arising from Host Families/Communities, Land Consultants, external Lawyers, Government Agencies, State & National Assemblies, regulatory bodies (DPR, OPTS, Federal & State Ministries of Environments and other Authorized Bodies.
• Liaise with relevant Departments/Units (Production, Community Relation, Legal, HSE, EC&P, etc) on Land/Claims/ related matters.
• Relate and participate in the settlement/payment of Land Rent to Landlords and statutory tenement Rate to relevant Local Government Councils.
• Respond to summons in court matters arising from Land/Claims issues
• Mediation & conciliation of Land/Claims disputes arising within and among Families/Communities.
• Protect and defend Company’ acquired lands from any encumbrances.
• Gather or collate relevant fact on land acquired by the company for its operations.

Activities:

• Participate in land acquisition, claims investigations, homage and compensation payments to Land owners.
• Facilitate in investigation/verification as to ascertain rightful Land owners during acquisition, boundary identification, resurvey exercises and field visits/assessments with Land Consultants of the Company.
• Facilitate process and follow up payment request for approved homage/compensation and statutory taxes (tenement rates/ land rents/etc).
• Participate in mediation/negotiation of compensation settlement to land owners and witness payments made by consultant payments to Land Owners.
• Participate in conflict resolutions within and amongst Families within our concessionary scope, as to forestall operational disruptions.
• Represent and defend the Company in all summons inter alia Families, Communities, State & National Assemblies, Government Agencies and regulatory bodies (Min. of Justice, Min. of Environment, MENR, DPR, Etc), to resolve petitions arising from land acquired/claims.
• Respond to statement of claims in court matters relating to Land acquired/Claims arising from the company’s operations and represent the Company in court where necessary on matters relating or arising from land acquisition.
• Draft legal dossiers- Deed of grants, indemnities, etc.
• Intervene on issues of encumbrances arising from Company’s acquired lands.
• Interface, liaise and synergise with other Divisions/Departments/Units on lands & claims matters.
• Participate in MOUs – sustainable development agreements.
• Performs other assignments delegated by hierarchy.

Context and Environment:

• Work and relate with people in an environment that is volatile, frazzle, cantankerous and deprave in nature.
• Somewhat illiterate population that tenaciously believe in deities (juju) and proliferations of shrines to redress matters.
• Land held very sacred and invaluable heritage as the only means for survival.
• Work and interact with other relevant Entities (Divisions, Department and units)- (HSE, EC&P, LEGAL, SECURITY, PRODUCTION, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, etc), to ensure effective teamwork in handling of any matter arising from third party.
• Work and interact with Host Families/Communities for peaceful and harmonious relationships.
• Interact with relevant Government Agencies, Local Government Councils, and other relevant bodies; State and National Assemblies, regulatory bodies, etc, as regards petitions, to enhance peaceful resolution of conflicts for smooth operation in the workplace.

Accountabilities

• Comply with the policies and procedures for Land acquisition and Claims investigations relating to the company for effective and timely deliverables of tasks.
• Ensure the timely process, approval and payment of statutory rents, rates to land-owners, Local Govt Councils and expediously facilitate any demand for Land/Property acquisition as to meet project implementation schedules of the Company and to create a good environment for execution of projects.
• Interact with relevant Entities of the Company for the quick response/intervention of Claims issues arising from the Company’s operation as to maintain and sustain harmonious co-existence.
• Maintain and update acquired land/claims register for effective operations.
• Intervene through conflict resolution within and amongst Families agitations, as to reduce disturbances/blockages, further conflicts and save production/operational cost for the Company.
• Attend HSE meetings and report anomalies.

Requirements

• Minimum of LL. B, BA / BSc Degree in Humanities / Social Science / Estate Management discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years working experience in lands & Claims Management
• Good communication ability, computer proficiency with good numerical aptitude, self driven, result oriented and a team player.
• Ability to work under pressure, well organised, diligent and proactive.
• Skills to work with people at all levels.
• Catchment REBISI.