Land Acquisition Officer

The Role
The Land Acquisition Officer plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our sustainable projects. This position is responsible for securing and negotiating access, option, and lease agreements in alignment with Seriti Green's values. The primary objective is to provide the business with a social license to operate in the communities hosting the projects.

Key responsibilities

• Development of client relationships: Ensure that land tenure is bankable. Work closely with the development team on Business Development activities to identify new land for securement. Establish contact with prospective landowners to secure property for project development. Collaborate with landowners to establish and maintain positive relationships with neighbours and communities, building a social license to operate. Create and maintain relationships with existing clients, landowners, and community leaders in new potential project sites. Work with the Seriti Green Development Team and Legal Counsel to ensure that all required contracts and forms are current, in place, and bankable ahead of the financial close of a project. Maintain relationships with landowners to preserve the social license to operate, from the development stage through to, and including, construction and operations, as required. Develop and maintain relationships with key government stakeholders linked to land tenure.
• Negotiating strategies: Lead negotiations to secure land agreements in alignment with South African statutory requirements for wind energy, solar PV energy, and battery storage energy projects. Develop, maintain, and adapt project and landholder-specific negotiation strategies in alignment with Seriti Green values and community engagement principles. Liaise with external legal advisors to develop and maintain proforma agreements.
• Project Management: Accompany on-site work, such as coordinating subcontractors, supervising specialist studies, and liaising with stakeholders. Establish and manage the client database and our land management system (Landfolio). Ensure that land tenure is secure for the financial close of projects. Oversee the securing of other land tenure contracts, such as servitudes. Maintain close collaboration with accounting to ensure that proper land payments are made in accordance with the applicable land contracts. Assist project managers with financial budgets and cash forecasts. Ensure that all contracts/ agreements are correctly completed, captured, signed and saved on SharePoint.
• Education & Experience: Qualification: Diploma or Degree in a Management-related field (Required). Experience: 5 years of proven sales and leadership experience. Proven negotiation skills, with the ability to influence and persuade to achieve desired outcomes in a collaborative style. High level of commercial and legal aptitude with a good understanding of land tenure requirements in South Africa. Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. Demonstrated capacity to work with a multitude of internal and external clients.
• Essential Skills: Excellent written, verbal, analytical and presentation skills. Effective and positive communication at all levels of peoples and cultures. History of strong analytical, problem solving, and negotiation skills. Excellent organizational, planning, and prioritization skills. Attention to detail. Fluency in Afrikaans is essential.
• Character & Attributes: History of enthusiastic commitment to the development of a South African renewable energy industry. Demonstrated high standards of ethical conduct exhibiting honesty and integrity. Self-motivated with the ability to work individually and as a positive part of a skilled, and highly focused team, with a "can do" attitude and willingness to take ownership of delivering on their goals. Resourceful, well organized and effective at inspiring and influencing multiple resources to accomplish objectives. Willingness and availability to travel extensively within South Africa and abroad on site visits or to liaise with landowners, clients, partners, stakeholders and service providers. Interest in ongoing learning through self-directed and assisted training.

Employment Package Outline

• Salary: Market Related
• Benefits: Employee Assistant Programme; Group Risk Insurance Cover; Medical Aid; Professional Development Opportunities; Retirement Contribution
• Rewards: Short Term Incentive