Project Coordinator-Sustainable Rangeland Management: WWF-SA Grasslands Programme at WWF South Africa

Background

• The Project Coordinator will support and facilitate the work of the Land and Biodiversity Stewardship Programme within the Grassland Biome focus area. The Land and Biodiversity Stewardship Programme vision of success is:
• A connected, representative, secure & well-managed resilient landscape incorporating priority biomes providing economic and socio-environmental benefits for South Africa. 
• This project initiative aims to facilitate scaled up sustainable wool production by communal and commercial sheep farmers in the Grasslands biome, thereby assisting in securing the Strategic Water Source Areas, protecting biodiversity corridors, and enhancing the buffer zone for protected areas / stewardship sites. It also aims to facilitate sustainable wool production at the landscape level in the South African Grasslands biome, with a focus on improving biodiversity and social development within the context of supporting H&M’s net-positive biodiversity ambition.

Minimum Requirements    

• Relevant post graduate qualification in Agricultural Science, Environmental Science or Rangeland Ecology qualification.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in Agricultural Management, Rangeland Management, Environmental or Biodiversity Management.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills with rural and agricultural farming communities.
• Experience in Project Management.
• Knowledge of alien invasive species management and control.
• Knowledge and skills in Animal Health would be an added advantage.
• Knowledge and understanding of the South African environmental sector, role players and respective mandates; specifically, the South Africa’s Protected Areas Network and Stewardship Programmes.
• Excellent administrative and finance management skills and experience.
• Ability to think and work independently as well as the ability to engage across organisation and hierarchical levels.
• Ability to self-manage with good planning and prioritizing skills in the context of a varied and pressurized working environment with a focus on delivering project objectives and outcomes.
• Valid driver’s license with substantial and proven experience driving off-road and valid South African citizenship or resident status.
• Computer literacy - in word processing (MS Word), spread sheets (Excel), databases for recording and reporting (Access), email and presentations (MS PowerPoint) including working knowledge of GIS.
• Ability to work with a team and to accept additional responsibility, show initiative, and proactively work to exceed targets.
• Excellent report writing, presentation, interpersonal and communication, skills.
• Fluency in English and two other local African languages (IsiXhosa, Sesotho or Afrikaans).
• Ability to take initiative and develop innovative solutions.
• Excellent communication.
• Good interpersonal skills. 
• High level of respect.
• Ability to establish and retain good relations with all stakeholders.
• A meticulous approach to work and keen attention to detail. 
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to multi-task. 
• Deadline-oriented and problem-solving skills. 

Duties and Responsibilities    
 Provide support to small-scale communal farmers and thereby facilitate access to markets that focus on regenerative grazing practices and certification, resulting in improved livelihoods for communities.

• Facilitate processes to ensure local communities have access and benefit from the natural resources of the region.
• Map viable economic, nature-based ventures, heritage, tourism and cultural ventures and implementation thereof.
• Support and strengthen existing cooperative governance and administration systems.
• Facilitate mentorship, training and capacity-building programmes for sustainable natural resource use, regenerative rangeland practices, flock welfare and access to market for communities.
• Capacitate communal farmers to provide preventative care for livestock, ensuring improved resilience and welfare of the herd and improve quality of the wool.

Oversee and facilitate clearing of alien and invasive plant species in Grassland Biome, resulting in improved water release, and restoration of key biodiversity areas.

• Facilitate and implement clearing of priority hectares of alien and invasive plant species in the in the Grassland Biome.
• Facilitate investigation of the use of alien invasive biomass for beneficiation opportunities, such as, mulching, energy, charcoal, etc. to ensure ongoing economic incentives for clearing work.

 Facilitate formal commitment by commercial and communal farmers to secure their land under improved regenerative grazing practices.

• Ensure that conservation agreements are put in place with grazing associations to ensure planned rotational grazing.
• Support the development of the land management plans, including determining appropriate stocking rates, determined by carrying capacity of the grassland ecosystem as well as areas of high conservation value, protected areas / stewardship sites buffer zones and corridors.
• Map and secure critical areas under stewardship or other effective area-based conservation measures including important corridors, buffer zones and habitats on both privately and communally owned land towards improving biodiversity and connectivity in the landscape.

 Facilitate sustainably managed land that results in support for the establishment of ecological corridors through an integrated biodiversity/ecologically focused approach to farming.

• Facilitate learning exchanges and strengthen partnerships between commercial and communal farmers.
• Facilitate training sessions and workshops for commercial and communal farmers in terms of wildlife conflict on livestock.
• Support expansion of grasslands under formal protection (Protected Area expansion) in order to secure key biodiversity areas.

 Oversee and facilitate the adoption of the Responsible Wool Standard by commercial farmers.

• Initiate dialogues with the Responsible Wool Standard to support improved biodiversity indicators and wildlife conflict management.
• Facilitate research connections between meat and wool supply chains in terms of certifications which addresses the issue of biodiversity loss.
• Through working with farmers and key partners, support farmers to implement the plans and actions required to become RWS certified.

General project administration.

• Track Programme Technical and Financial reporting in association with Project Executants (incoming reports).
• Manage Project finances against budgets.
• Ensure adherence to WWF & Funder’s reporting on a quarterly basis and Technical Progress Reports.