Principal Planner, Arid Region at South African National Parks (SANParks)

• A vacancy currently exists for a Principal Planner for the Arid Region, based at the Namaqua National Park office in Kamieskroon. This position will support effective park planning within the arid region, with a focus on the Namaqua to Augrabies Mega Living Landscape, through assessing – and providing guidance on biodiversity issues, threats, pressures and opportunities in the region; and mitigating development risks and negative impact on parks through engaging with development planning and applications within the park buffers.
• The successful candidate will report the Manager: Park Planning and Development.

Requirements

Minimum Required Qualifications and Experience:

• NQF Level 7 in Conservation Management; Town & Regional Planning; or Environmental Studies.
• 6 years relevant experience Local Provincial or National Governments Consultancy or NGO’s.
• Driver’s License and own vehicle. Position involves extensive travel.

Knowledge and Skills required:

• Environmental legislation and regulations.
• Conservation legislation and regulations.
• NEMPA Act and other relevant legislation.
• Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
• Organisational policy and procedures.
• Business objectives and strategies.
• Conflict resolution.
• People management and empowerment.
• Programme and project management.
• Financial management.
• Change management.
• Problem solving and analysis.
• Report Writing.

Added Advantage:

• Post Graduate Degree
• Valid Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association (EAPA-SA) Registration
• Valid South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) Registration

Responsibilities

• To ensure that park planning is addressed in municipal integrated plans and spatial development frameworks.
• To comment on EIAs, Municipal Land Use, and other development applications in Park buffer zones.
• To ensure that environmental management decisions and advice are based on scientific information and best practices.
• To ensure environmental and heritage issues are adequately addressed within Park operations, e.g. EMPs, EIAs, Heritage approvals required.
• To assist Park and regional management in keeping abreast of planning, environmental and heritage legislation.
• To assist with Park expansion and land consolidation initiatives and strategies.
• To disseminate information to all relevant park personnel regarding development decisions and impacts.
• To provide input to the establishment of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and concession developments within the park.
• To provide a project management service to Parks.
• To determine the departments priorities.
• To develop and implement efficiency measures to ensure optimum capacity utilisation and performance.
• To manage human, physical and financial resources in line with the organisational policies, processes and procedures.

Closing Date

• 20 July 2026