Environmental Permitting & Regulatory Manager

Job Title: Environmental Permitting and Regulatory Manager

Job Dimension

• Residential position based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
• Contractor role; Monday to Friday

HSE & Personal Statement – At all times the Job Holder will:

• Demonstrate personal commitment to the HSSE Policy
• Maintain awareness of and ensure compliance with all relevant Statutory and Company HSE standards
• Actively participate in Company safety awareness and initiative schemes

Activities

• Lead the implementation and compliance monitoring of the Level 3 Environment Permit conditions issued by CEPA
• Coordinate with CEPA and other regulatory bodies to ensure ongoing alignment with environmental legislation and permitting requirements
• Develop and manage environmental regulatory strategies to support project readiness for FID, including permit amendments, variations, and supporting documentation
• Oversee the preparation and submission of environmental reports, management plans, and monitoring programs required under the permit and other regulatory frameworks
• Provide guidance to project teams on environmental obligations, risks, and mitigation strategies during the pre-project phase
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and consultation processes related to environmental permitting, including landowner, community, and government interactions
• Track and interpret changes in environmental legislation, policy, and lender requirements relevant to the LNG sector in PNG
• Support internal and external audits, inspections, and reviews related to environmental compliance and permitting
• Supervise and mentor a small permitting team, including a Permitting Coordinator and Permitting Officer, to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of regulatory tasks and documentation
• Allocate responsibilities, provide technical guidance, and support professional development of direct reports to build internal capacity and maintain regulatory compliance standards

Context & Environment

• E&P in Papua New Guinea is of strategic importance for core LNG business and operations, in a sensitive and difficult environment with permanent challenges, given project, country, security and partnership context
• High challenges in terms of Communities, Social & Economic development, Biodiversity and Environment

Accountabilities

• Ensure effective implementation and ongoing compliance with the Level 3 Environment Permit and other regulatory obligations for the LNG Project
• Support project readiness for Final Investment Decision (FID) through strategic environmental permitting and stakeholder engagement
• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing permitting team to deliver regulatory outcomes aligned with and international standards

Required Qualifications/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resource Management, or a related field
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in environmental permitting and regulatory compliance, preferably within the oil & gas or large infrastructure sectors
• Proven experience managing Environment Permits, licences and engaging with regulatory authorities such as CEPA, NMSA and NPA in Papua New Guinea
• Strong understanding of PNG’s Environment Act 2000, Prescribed Activities Regulation, Oil & Gas Act, and international environmental standards (e.g., IFC Performance Standards)
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including managing small teams and coordinating multidisciplinary inputs in complex project environments