Community Relations Associate

Through its merger with Oil Search, Santos acquired and assumed operatorship over a world-class portfolio of oil leases on the Alaskan North Slope, USA.

Santos' focus in Alaska is the advancement of our Pikka Phase 1 project, which includes a single drill site, an oil processing facility, and other infrastructure to support production of 80,000 barrels of oil per day.

Pikka has been identified as being among the top quartile of oil and gas development projects for greenhouse gas emissions performance. Pikka is poised to play an important role in the energy transition and is aligned with our company goal of managing climate change risk. The project is on track to be ready for first oil in 2026.

The Pikka Unit is one of the largest conventional oil discoveries made in the United States in the last 30 years, and the Pikka Phase 1 Project is the most significant development on Alaska's North Slope in more than 20 years.

The permitted Pikka development project includes two additional drill sites. The Alaska assets also include discoveries made from both the Mitquq and Stirrup exploration wells drilled in 2020. These opportunities combine to offer a clear path to long-term growth in Alaska.

The Community Affairs function promotes a positive relationship between Santos and the local community, ensuring transparency regarding the company's operations and investing in beneficial initiatives. The function works closely with local Government organization and stakeholders to keep informed of the project and to ensure Santos remains compliant whilst protecting the interests and objectives of the company.

Santos firmly believes that building strong, mutually respectful relationships with key stakeholders are essential for our business success and for achieving our vision. By communicating with and engaging stakeholders, we can keep up with their evolving priorities and concerns, ensure we respond appropriately and inform them as projects progress.

The Community Relations Associate is accountable for providing oversite on Santos' involvement with the local community. In close partnership with the Community Relations Manager, this role supports local content requirements and community outreach initiatives. Support will include managing, planning, executing, communicating, tracking, and reporting on the various initiatives.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Oversight of Local Content Plan to address workforce and supplier development, and strategic community investments for projects
• Review and / or advise contract language to ensure local content requirement is emphasized / imbedded
• Collate and monitor contracts with local content expectations ensuring monthly reporting on local content metrics
• Audit contracts to ensure local content compliance in line with contract expectations
• Monitor status and effectiveness of local content development with major contractors and other external stakeholders
• Interface with internal departments and business line management on local content priorities and communications
• Provide guidance to, and seek confirmation that, departments (and associated contractors) are complying with local content expectations
• Create and maintain an updated Cultural Guide (cultural orientation to new staff, contractors and cultural program coordination, and general awareness). Monthly Inupiaq words. Periodic opportunities consistent with annual timeline.
• In coordination with Field Coordinators frequent contact to update boat ramp activity, local transits, cultural awareness program at field level.
• Manage internal planning, stewardship metrics, and reporting processes to track performance and capability against plans for workforce, suppliers and strategic community investments
• Collate and distribute monthly reporting metrics as required
• Manage slope logistics regarding travel and / or shipping to North Slope (Nuiqsut)
• Manage and maintain development of metrics / reports quarterly for management review and submission
• Track Community Affairs expenses against budget
• Compile and compose routine documents including correspondence, presentations, reports, minutes and logs
• Plan and Coordinate in preparation and participation in community activities, programs and engagement
• Manage ordering and inventory of materials, equipment and swag needed when hosting local events and meetings for Community Affairs
• Oversee local content communications plans and assist in developing and enhancing information on local content
• Develop communication mediums including community meetings, monthly bulletins (internal / external) and contractor workshops
• Focus on seasonal work programs (Stickpicking, Bear Guards, Subreps, IRM's etc.)
• Community internships and / or training opportunities
• Maintain Community Affairs calendar on weekly basis for CA interest.
• Manage and maintain Community Affairs timeline which includes activities, events and meetings
• Oversee and monitor internal / external recruitment compliance with local content requirements / expectations including metric analysis
• As per point (1) Report exceptions for follow up
• Plan and Coordinate community outreach initiatives, meetings and programs across the North Slope, focusing particularly on Santos impacted communities. Support includes securing space / location for event / meeting / program, identifying resources needed for event (including human resources), and travel requirements in compliance.
• Attend community meetings, City Council, NSB Planning Commission, NSB Assembly, Project Presentations and others
• Community events (Nalukataq, basketball camps, bike workshops, Christmas Program, Barrow events etc.)
• Community outreach focus areas such as Search and Rescue, Trapper School, Educational initiatives etc.)
• Stand in for the Community Relations Manager as required
• Strong knowledge, understanding, and sensitivity to the Inupiat culture.
• Travel to rural communities often
• Other duties as assigned

Formal Qualifications

Skills and Technical Capabilities

Experience