Land acquisition consultant

Job Description

The Land Acquisition Consultant will support the identification, assessment, acquisition, and documentation of land and right-of-way (ROW) requirements for renewable energy and infrastructure projects. The role involves stakeholder engagement, land due diligence, coordination with landowners and government agencies, monitoring of land-related applications, and providing recommendations and leadership to secure land.

The consultant will be responsible for negotiations, relationship management, documentation, and permitting support, while in coordination with HDF team and management.

Key Responsibilities

Land Acquisition and Due Diligence

• Identify, scout, assess, and secure land parcels required for project development through purchase, lease, easement, right-of-way (ROW), or other applicable arrangements.
• Conduct land due diligence, including verification of ownership, land titles, tax declarations, survey plans, land use classification, and other relevant property documents, while identifying land-related risks, constraints, and acquisition issues and recommending appropriate mitigation measures.
• Negotiate and facilitate the execution of option agreements, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), lease agreements, easements, and other land-related agreements with landowners.

Government and Stakeholder Coordination

• Coordinate and conduct preliminary discussions with landowners, property representatives, local communities, barangays, LGUs, Indigenous Peoples (where ancestral domains are involved, including support for Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) requirements under the IPRA), and other relevant stakeholders regarding land acquisition opportunities.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with government agencies and authorities involved in land titling, registration, land conversion, land reclassification, permitting, and other land administration processes.
• Support project teams by addressing land-related issues, coordinating stakeholder consultations, and facilitating timely resolution of land acquisition and permitting matters.

Permitting and Regulatory Support

• Monitor and facilitate land conversion, land reclassification, and compliance with other land-related regulatory and permitting requirements necessary for project development.
• Coordinate surveys, technical assessments, and the preparation and submission of documentation required to support land acquisition, permitting, and regulatory approval processes.

Dispute Resolution and Risk Management

• Assist in resolving land-related issues, claims, or conflicts. Monitor risks (e.g., delays from titling issues or community disputes) and provide progress reports to project teams.

Documentation and Transaction Support

• Prepare, compile, and submit land acquisition documentation, maps (e.g., KMZ files), and other supporting materials for review by the legal and project development teams.
• Coordinate the registration of land transactions with the Registry of Deeds and ensure compliance with applicable property laws and registration requirements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of land acquisition activities, agreements, registrations, land ownership information, and supporting documentation.

Project Management and Reporting

• Develop and implement land acquisition work programs, schedules, and status tracking systems.
• Monitor progress of land acquisition activities, identify issues affecting project timelines, and provide regular report and recommendations to the project team.
• Coordinate with legal, engineering, project development, and other relevant teams to ensure the accuracy and integrity of land-related information.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Real Estate, Law, Engineering, Geodetic Engineering, Project Development, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of relevant experience in land acquisition, right-of-way (ROW) acquisition, land conversion, property due diligence, or related real estate and infrastructure development activities.
• Familiarity with land ownership verification, land documentation, property rights, land registration, permitting processes, and applicable land-related regulations, including agrarian reform regulations.
• Strong on stakeholder engagement, negotiation, communication, and coordination skills.
• Ability to conduct site inspections and monitor land acquisition activities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic land mapping tools such as Google Earth. Knowledge of GPS surveying and GIS/mapping software is an advantage.
• Willingness to travel frequently and work in the field as required by project activities.