Social Assistance Program Manager

About the Role

The Social Assistance Program Manager will lead the design, implementation, and governance of the Social Assistance Program (SAP) for the Laldia Container Terminal Project.

The role is responsible for addressing legacy displacement impacts, overseeing livelihood restoration initiatives, managing stakeholder engagement, and ensuring compliance with international social performance standards, including IFC Performance Standard 5 (PS5).

As the project's social performance lead, the role will also provide subject matter expertise on Environmental & Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), social risk management, and community development throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the Social Assistance Program

• Develop and deliver the Social Assistance Program (SAP) and associated Resettlement Action Plans (RAP).
• Ensure compliance with IFC, World Bank, ADB, and local regulatory requirements.
• Drive programme execution, governance, and milestone delivery.

Stakeholder & Community Engagement

• Build trusted relationships with affected communities, government agencies, Chittagong Port Authority, and other stakeholders.
• Lead stakeholder consultations and oversee grievance management.

Social Performance & Livelihood Restoration

• Oversee socio-economic assessments, eligibility verification, and livelihood restoration programmes.
• Provide technical oversight for ESIA, SIA, and other social studies.
• Develop and maintain the project's Social Investment Plan.

Programme & Consultant Management

• Manage consultants, contracts, and programme budgets.
• Recruit and lead local SAP resources where required.
• Monitor programme performance and ensure timely reporting.

Risk, Compliance & Reporting

• Identify and mitigate social risks across the project lifecycle.
• Develop monitoring frameworks, KPIs, and compliance reporting.
• Ensure all deliverables meet international quality standards and withstand external review.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner with Project, HR, Procurement, Legal, Finance, and Construction teams to embed social performance into project delivery.

Qualifications & Experience

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in social performance, resettlement planning, livelihood restoration, or community development on large infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience delivering Resettlement Action Plans (RAP) in line with IFC PS5, World Bank, ADB, or equivalent standards.
• Strong experience engaging communities, government authorities, and external stakeholders.
• Experience managing consultants and delivering complex social programmes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field.
• Master's degree is an advantage.

Skills

• Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
• Excellent project management and problem-solving abilities.
• High cultural awareness with strong communication skills.
• Fluent in Bengali and English, both written and spoken.

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to lead one of the most significant social programmes supporting a landmark infrastructure project in Bangladesh, creating meaningful and lasting impact for local communities while helping deliver sustainable growth for APM Terminals.

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and embraces different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

Maersk also supports adjustments during the application and hiring process. Candidates requiring special assistance or accommodation may contact accommodationrequests@maersk.com.

About APM Terminals

APM Terminals has over 20,000 employees across more than 60 countries, united by a passion for providing expertise in port operations and container management services.

By providing the expertise and port infrastructure essential to world trade, APM Terminals supports the advancement of societies, enabling local economies to unlock their potential and build a stronger global community.

APM Terminals is an independent business unit within the Danish Maersk Group, a Global Fortune 500 company with about 89,000 employees and offices in 130 countries.