COUNTRY MANAGER (M/F)

  • Position Filled
  • West Africa
  • This position has been filled

Description du poste

The Country Manager is the official representative of the company in the country where it is based. He defends

 interests at all levels with coherence and in close coordination with the company’s National Entities Business Units – BUNEs Managers so that the company’s activities (operations/projects/exploration) can take place in a peaceful, compliant and harmoniously integrated  environment within the country. To carry out this mission, the CM works closely with all of the company’s BUNEs and support function teams based in the country, as well as  the regional and corporate teams.

Waist

  • The Country Manager does not have an in-house team
  •  He/she works with the teams of the attached support function or the BUNE teams

Key Responsibilities

Identification of weak signals and alerts:

  •     He/she proactively identifies weak signals and potential conflicts in order to propose and participate in their mitigation or resolution in coordination with the BUNEs teams.

Liaison with local administration:

  •   Responsible for the good relations between the entities and the administration of the country. Therefore, he ensures good representation at the various meetings and attends them whenever necessary.

Permitting process (operations, projects and exploration, including relocation)

  •    The CM is responsible for the submission/lobbying/advocacy of any authorization file in order to obtain a quick and efficient request; for administrative follow-up/coordination with the different administrative departments until the issuance of the authorization, for any request from the HOD and others regarding additional requests, for participation alongside the HOD or the specialist required to support it and focus the assembly on the issue strategic); to compile lessons learned from each licensing process
  •      The CM is consulted for the preparation of authorization dossiers, updates and additions throughout the process

Crisis management with local communities

  •  The CM is responsible for the implementation of the Central Authorities’ communication plan, communication with the media with close coordination with the VP Investor Relations. He/she is responsible for  compiling the lessons learned in each case
  •    The CM is responsible for identifying stakeholders (validation of key stakeholders involved)
  • The CM is consulted for situational awareness, operational risk assessment (in-country logistics assessment, other in-country risks), security risk assessment, communication plan, implementation of the communication plan, negotiation (close support to the MM. May represent to local authorities), internal communication, monitoring of the implementation of the agreement.

Tax and customs audit/other matters with the customs and financial administration (including VAT recovery)

  •   The CM is responsible for organizing/participating in various advocacy meetings with the Tax Administration (organizing meetings, supporting/supporting argumentation/communicating strategic issues); follow-up of payments (recovering money (compensation) from the Tax Department); Mobilize other local actors (Chamber of Mines, mining peers); Compiling lessons learned
  • The CM is consulted for the development of a multi-stakeholder identification/advocacy strategy (Council on the approach to administration); Administrative follow-up with the tax authorities; Temporary tax reassessment (support for the organisation of the mission); Litigation (Benchmark / Strategy with the authorities / Organization of meetings); Debt and credit monitoring (administration of reminders)
  • The CM is informed of the acceptance of the audit, of the preparation of the financial file to be submitted to the tax authorities

Social conflicts website

  •  The CM is responsible for engaging the labour administration, managing tactical/key/demand messages and central authorities and organisations Lobbying during negotiations and strike crisis, facilitating discussion with central organisations / administrative follow-up
  •    The CM is responsible for external communication, being the main stakeholder in the capital in front of the Administration, the Chamber of Mines and the media. He is supported by the regional communications manager and coordinates closely with the investor relations manager
  •  The CM is consulted on the strike notice / strike rumor: internal communication/analysis, benchmarking, stakeholder awareness; negotiation strategy (benchmark and administrative commitment); negotiation meetings; crisis management (discussion with the central organizations and administrative follow-up); agreement

Problems with artisanal mining – ASM

  •    The CM is informed of all identified illegal mining activities conducted on the Company’s permits
  • He/she supports the National Security Officer in gathering intelligence on ASM activities around or on society  exploration/mining licenses. On this issue, the CM is consulted and works closely with the managers of the BUNs in order to identify all the risks associated with this type of activity. The CM is consulted on possible mitigation measures to be put in place and for liaison with local authorities. He/she is responsible for mobilizing national authorities on these issues

Member of the Board of Directors of the legal entities of companies in the country

  • The CM is a board member of all the boards of the society BUNEs in the country. He/she is consulted  on lobbying matters on sensitive issues before and during Board meetings. He/she is responsible for  maintaining a close relationship with the members of the State Board of Directors and he/she supports the legal team in the preparation of all requested documentation

Representation at the Chamber of Mines and other bodies

  •  The CM is responsible for the regular representation of the company on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Mines and any other related association or organization aimed at advocating for the interests of the mining industry in the country

External communication in the country (website and national)

  • For on-site events (inaugurations): The communication strategy is adjusted according to the size and stakes of the event. If it is at the level of the local authorities (High Commissioner/Mayor) then the presence of the CM is not necessarily required but if it is at the level of the Governor and above, then the    CM is required

Country Stakeholder Engagement Plan Lead – CSEP

  • The CM is responsible for the drafting and implementation of the CSEP in coordination with the BUNEs, it is responsible for the proper functioning of the national stakeholder liaison committees (i.e. Stability Forum) and ensures the proper functioning of the local committees

Key Reports

The Country Manager is responsible for:

  •   information gathering for the Weekly Risk Monitoring Report – WRMR
  • the monthly report on public affairs activities in the country – MRPA
  • Periodic review of the socio-political situation in the country in coordination with the regional/security te
  •  Periodic site visits to exchange with managers and support function teams – SV

Key Performance Indicators

Health, Safety and Environment

  •    Ensure that BUNEs have the necessary permissions and support to achieve their HSE guidelines
  •   Ensure that the BUNs have the support of the local administration in the event of an incident or death
  •    Ensure that those affected in the event of an incident receive the necessary emergency assistance in the country

All-in sustaining costs (AISC)

  •    Ensure that BUNE receives the full support of the national administration so that it can achieve its annual AISC guidelines
  • Ensure that BUNE receives full support from the local administration (Departments of Mines and Finance) and can benefit from all cost-saving measures/initiatives

Production

  •      Ensure that BUNE receives the full support of the Mining and Customs departments. To achieve their production goals
  •       Ensure that production guidelines are in compliance with legislation and that any increases or decreases are reported accordingly
  •     Ensure that the site and its surroundings are safe and peaceful for smooth production and operations
  •    Prevent/reduce the risks associated with blocking access to sites

Great personal achievements

  •   Fewer conflicts with local stakeholders
  •   Prompt resolution of any issues or conflicts with local stakeholders
  • Fast payment of money owed to the company’s BUNE inside the country
  • Reduce local administrative burden for less impact on the BUNE of the society in the country

Constraints, frameworks and limits

The Country Manager must:

  •   Ensure that all company and site procedures are adhered to and that operations comply with all relevant government and statutory law enforcement laws and regulations
  •  Follow procedures
  • Report any violations in compliance with all legal requirements and company standards, among others

Challenges

  • Exposure to the risk of pressure from local actors
  • Must be available in case of EMERGENCY 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the BUNE
  •  To always be able to recognize a risk or potential risk associated with the BUNE  in order to consider BUNE in a timely manner and coordinate any support from the local government
  • Work well under pressure

Profil

Skills, knowledge and experience

Education:

  • Academic or professional training in business administration, public affairs, mining, or any relevant discipline
  • Good understanding of the challenges of mining investments and operations

Relevant Experience:

  • Knowledge of the mining industry, including operations, legislation, investments and the environment
  • Significant experience in the mining sector
  • A strong network in the country’s mining and business communities
  • Experience in a third world country with a preference for experience in West Africa
  • Able to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization and build effective relationships and networks.
  • Demonstrate strong conceptual skills and be able to develop lateral and practical solutions
  • Ability to respond to a changing work environment
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks at the same time
  • A reputation for integrity and ethic
  • Demonstrated management skills