RESPONSIBILITIES:
KRA 1: Manage, develop and integrate knowledge, planning, and monitoring systems.
- Contribute to fauna chapters within the both the annual Western Cape State of Conservation Report and the five-yearly Western Cape State of Biodiversity Report.
- Collate, quality-check and upload all current year fauna surveillance and monitoring datasets to relevant databases by internal cut-off dates.
Ensure that current and accurate taxonomic information is provided in the revision of:
- State of Biodiversity Reports
- Conservation Action Plans and Biodiversity Management Plans.
- Protected Area Management Plans.
- Catchment to Coast Strategies.
KRA 2: Manage, develop and integrate legislation, policies, strategies and systems.
Best available science embedded into policies, procedures, protocols, strategies and plans, including:
- Western Cape Biodiversity Legislation
- CapeNature Policies.
- Biodiversity Governance Position Statements.
- Ensure current and accurate scientific information informs Biodiversity and Environmental Legislation.
KRA 3: Generate impact through the enablement, development and integration of leading-edge technologies, practice, policy, science, and innovation.
- Produce monitoring reports.
- Contribute to/lead peer-reviewed scientific publications.
KRA 4: Manage, engage and collaborate with strategic partners and fora.
- Represent CapeNature’s mandate and interests on Committees, Forums, Working Groups and Meetings deemed relevant.
KRA 5: Manage, develop and deploy biodiversity capability and capacity.
- Contribute to and deliver stakeholder capacity building and awareness about healthy natural ecosystems, habitats and landscapes, and ecosystem services.
- Mainstream optimal procedures, practices and processes for effective biodiversity monitoring and surveillance.
- Contribute to the updating of Standard Operating Protocols and Guidelines.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Natural Science degree in the field of Conservation Science, Ecological Science, Biological Science or Zoological Science (NQF 7
- Three (3) years wildlife research/monitoring experience, including data processing and analysis and report writing.
- Excellent formal report and scientific writing skills in English. Applicants are required to upload a self-authored report/thesis/publication.
- In possession of a valid unendorsed Code EB unendorsed driver’s license with own vehicle. Must be willing to regularly travel extensively throughout the Western Cape Province and elsewhere as required.
- Knowledge of Fynbos, Succulent Karoo and associated priority fauna of the Western Cape.
- No criminal record.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Natural Science degree in the field of Conservation Science, Ecological Science, Biological Science or Zoological Science (NQF 8).
- Five (5) years’ post qualification experience as practicing ecologist/ scientist in biodiversity surveillance, monitoring, and research.
- Proficiency in at least two of the three official languages of the Western Cape.
- South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) accreditation.
- Expertise in camera-trap or acoustic-monitoring analytics.
- Remote sensing/GIS scripting (R/Python) or drone survey skills.
- Experience in off-road / 4 x 4 driving.
- Enjoy working with data and new analytical technologies.
- Proficiency in using a full-featured GIS Software Package/s (e.g., QGIS or ArcGIS).
Closing Date: 1 April 2026
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