Communications & External Affairs Manager

• Be involved in a major copper-gold mining & infrastructure development project in PNG
• Lead the Communications Strategy for PNG, whilst partnering with a high performing international Communications Team.
• Port Moresby Office based position

Frieda River Limited is the developer of Frieda River Copper-Gold Project located in Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Frieda River, a national priority project, represents one of the World’s largest known undeveloped copper and gold deposits, which will become a long-life open-pit operation. Frieda River Limited (FRL) is wholly owned by PanAust Limited, an Australian-headquartered company with successful world class mining operations in Laos.         

As PanAust progresses towards developing its Freida River Project, an opportunity has for an experienced Communications & External Affairs Manager to join our Port Moresby Office. Working closely with Communications and Government Relations Team, the Communications & External Affairs Manager is responsible for managing the key communication and External Affairs within Papua New Guinea, in line with the overall strategic direction of the Frieda River Project.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Design and implement FRL communications strategy and plans that are aligned with PanAust Group communications, including FRL’s internal and external communications strategies.
• Write relevant, timely and engaging communications across multiple channels to drive engagement and understanding of Frieda Project and the PanAust Group’s purpose, vision and strategic priorities.
• Proactively liaise and maintain effective relationships with external stakeholders, especially local and national media outlets.
• Work with Group Communications Manager to support PanAust Group’s strategic priorities and provide communications support as required. 
• Manage the delivery of key publications and collateral including inhouse design and outsourcing that are on brand.
• Oversee, coordinate and manage events that are well attended and publicised.
• Participate and manage crisis communications as required.
• Proactively seek out positive branding opportunities to increase the reputation of the Frieda River Project.
• Ensure adherence to PanAust/Frieda River branding in all external communications.
• Maintain positive public relations and media outcomes for the Company.
• Execution of mitigating strategies to minimise negative reputational impacts.
• Proactively report on a regular basis the media outcomes/coverage for Company initiated external communications.
• Professional development including ongoing coaching and support of PBM’s Communications team, to ensure they understand FRL’s approach and support required.
• Effective and timely crisis communications response.

To be successful in this role, you will require:

• At least 5 years’ experience working within a senior communications or External Affairs position.
• Experience in managing successful and well attended events.
• Exceptional leadership and influencing skills.
• Experience dealing with highly confidential and sensitive information.
• Hold the highest of integrity, be a self-starter, show flexibility, demonstrate personal initiative and have the ability to inspire confidence at senior levels of management.
• Ability to work closely with remote teams in a small head-office environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work with people from a range of cultures and environments and in cross-functional teams.
• Computer literacy is essential to this role.
• Flexibility to undertake occasional overseas and domestic travel as required by the role.

Frieda River offers a diverse range of career challenges and opportunities, as well as a competitive salary package for the right candidate.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer we encourage and welcome applications from all genders, people with disabilities, people from diverse cultural backgrounds and workers from all age groups. 

Applications close 19 July 2024.