About us

K92 Mining Limited is the owner of the high-grade Kainantu Gold Mine in Eastern Highlands Province. Since commencing operations in 2016, we have delivered consistent production growth while contributing significantly to Papua New Guinea’s economy. More than 90% of our employees and contractors are from PNG, and our local initiatives — including educational scholarships, agricultural support, and health outreach programs — help improve the quality of life and build long-term capacity in surrounding communities.

About the role

The Head of Community Affairs leads a multidisciplinary team, working closely with operational, technical, sustainability, and external relations functions to integrate social performance considerations into business planning and decision-making. The role ensures effective community relations, social performance, stakeholder engagement, and development programs across all stages of the mine life cycle.

Key Accountabilities

Leading the Community Affairs Department across all phases of the mine life cycle — from exploration and project development through to closure — the role ensures community affairs activities align with corporate objectives, sustainability commitments, and regulatory requirements, including IFC Performance Standards and ICMM Principles. Responsibilities include:

• Strategic Leadership & Mine Life Cycle Integration – Develop and implement the Community Affairs Strategy across all phases of the mine life cycle, ensuring social performance is embedded in feasibility studies, impact assessments, and major projects, with departmental plans aligned to organisational priorities.

• Governance, Compliance & Agreements Management – Ensure all community affairs activities and agreements comply with PNG legislation, Company policy, and international standards, maintaining effective governance systems and overseeing audits and corrective actions.

• Social Performance & Material Issues Management – Lead the identification and management of social risks and opportunities, ensure material issues are clearly owned and reported, and provide regular recommendations to senior management.

• Organisational Leadership – Lead and develop the Community Affairs Department, including performance management and coaching of Principal-level direct reports, and drive a high-performance, continuous improvement culture.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management – Lead stakeholder engagement across host communities, landowner groups, and government agencies, representing the Company and supporting the resolution of complex community issues and grievances.

• Community Development & Shared Value – Oversee community development and social investment programs, promoting sustainable initiatives that build local capacity and economic participation.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Work with Operations, Environment, Sustainability, HR, Legal, and Project teams to manage social performance risks and support business planning and decision-making. 

About You

To be considered for this senior role, you will bring proven leadership and deep expertise in community affairs and social performance within extractives or related industries, particularly in a context of developing countries. You will also have:
• Tertiary qualification in Social Sciences, Community Development, Anthropology, Sociology, International Development, Public Policy, Communications, Sustainability, Business, or a related discipline; a postgraduate qualification is highly regarded.
• Strong leadership and people management capability, with experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence outcomes across multiple functions and stakeholder groups.
• Sound understanding of social performance, sustainability, and governance/compliance principles.
• Budget management and business planning experience.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills.

Life at K92 

Our core values — Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Safety — are central to our operations and fundamental to our success. K92 upholds a commitment to equal opportunity, striving to ensure that every individual can reach their highest potential without experiencing discrimination.

Our camp in Papua New Guinea offers a comfortable and well-maintained living environment, designed to provide support and comfort to our employees living away from home. Residents enjoy healthy meals prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Our camp also offers amenities such as internet access, cable TV, and a gymnasium.

We believe in sharing our success with our employees. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer participation in long- and short-term incentive plans and a friendly work roster.  If you share our values and are looking for your next career step, come join us on this exciting journey.

TO COMPLY WITH PNG GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS ALL EXPATRIATE POSITIONS ARE OFFERED ON A FIXED TERM BASIS