Director: Forestry Scientific & Technical Services at Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

Requirements & Qualifications

• An undergraduate qualification in Forestry or equivalent qualification (NQF7) within the related field as recognised by SAQA. A minimum of five (5) years’ experience at a Middle/Senior Management level. Experience in Research and Forestry Management or related field. Successful completion of the Senior Management Pre-entry Programme as endorsed by the National School of Government (NSG) must be submitted prior to appointment.
• All shortlisted candidates, including SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments. One must be a practical exercise, and the other must be an Integrity (Ethical Conduct) Assessment. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical exercise and interview. Following the technical exercise and interview, a maximum of three (3) SMS candidates will undergo psychometric assessments to assess cognitive capabilities, behavioural preferences, emotional intelligence, and integrity.

Duties

• Manage forestry research, development, and innovation in the sector. Ensure that the research function keeps up with the world trends. Manages the research function and funding. Manage the development of national norms and standards for sustainable forest management. Manage the development of principles, criteria, Indicators, and Standards for Sustainable Forest Management (SFM).
• Ensure provision of scientific forest management guidelines, best practices, and assistance to the Branch and broader forestry sector. Manage the provision of specialist technical advice and support to the Branch and other relevant stakeholders. Manage the provision of forestry subject inputs towards integrated environmental management. Facilitate and monitor the implementation, maintenance, and improvement of sustainable forestry management business processes.
• Provision of strategic forestry information and knowledge to support policy development and decision-making. Ensure compliance with the national and international forestry reporting requirements. Coordinate and manage spatial and non-spatial information gathering, processing, and analysis. Coordinate regional Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and processes for gathering data and mapping. Maintain a comprehensive GIS database for the region with maps and environmental data. Oversee the development of GIS reports, for further action.