Regional Ecologist – Grasslands (Port Elizabeth) at South African National Parks (SANParks)

• A vacancy currently exists for a team-oriented and highly motivated Regional Ecologist to support the establishment, expansion, and monitoring requirements for the new Grasslands National Park, the Greater Grasslands Mega Living Landscape, other surrounding Parks and associated MLLs, based in Port Elizabeth or Nqanqarhu (Maclear) office base, Eastern Cape.
• The primary responsibilities of this role include conducting biodiversity site and veld condition assessments, advising farmers, land users and landowners on sustainable veld management practices such as grazing, burning, restoration, and alien plant clearing—and guiding the implementation of restoration plans for degraded ecosystems.
• In addition, the successful candidate will coordinate research and monitoring programmes, facilitate knowledge and data transfer between scientists, managers, and stakeholders, and interpret findings to inform adaptive management and decision-making.
• This position requires a strong stakeholder and partnership orientation, as the ecologist will play a key role in promoting collaborative conservation and sustainable land-use practices across the landscape. The Regional Ecologist for Grasslands will report to the Park Expansion Manager.

Requirements

• A post-graduate NQF level 8 degree an appropriate conservation or agricultural oriented field
• MSc degree in environmental / conservation science/ Agriculture with GIS & statistical analyses included will serve as an added advantage.
• 4-6 years of relevant research, monitoring and/or applied science-management experience.
• A strong background in restoration and vegetation ecology in the grassland ecosystem.
• Ability to handle conflict as well as people management skills.
• Passionate about bridging the gap between research, monitoring, and park management / decision-making.
• Computer literacy with a high level of competency with MS Office products as well as good knowledge of databases and medium GIS competency (advanced GIS and Cybertracker experience an added advantage).
• Ability to travel extensively in the landscape, spending nights away from home and occasionally travel on weekends.
• A valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Conduct biodiversity site and veld condition assessments on stewardship properties within the Grasslands Mega Living Landscape, other surrounding Parks and associated MLLs to inform management agreements and operational plans.
• Provide ecological extension support/advisory support to farmers, land users, communities, and landowners of stewardships sites in the MLLs on sustainable veld management practices, including grazing systems, controlled burning, restoration of degraded areas, and alien plant clearing in line with the framework management plan.
• Guide the development and implementation of restoration plans for degraded ecosystems and monitor progress to ensure ecological integrity.
• Coordinate and ensure implementation of monitoring and research programmes including basic data analysis, archiving and curation.
• Collate information on the biodiversity of the MLLs and manage data stores in this regard; coordinate a BIOBLITZ every 5 years.
• Together with SANParks scientists, interpret research and monitoring findings, evaluate the practical implications thereof and communicate this to management, and other relevant stakeholders, while broadening access to information through focused dissemination strategies.
• Where applicable, undertake aerial and ground censuses and work closely with park management to provide recommendations to the Wildlife Management Committee on wildlife offtakes, translocation, loans, and donations.
• Contribute to the revision of protected area management plans.
• Contribute to various assessments undertaken at relevant parks to track and monitor progress i.e., Management Effective Tracking Tools (METT).
• Facilitate the implementation of adaptive management principles in support of relevant park management plans and property operational plans.
• Provide an essential link and communication channel to park management and other stakeholders i.e., new research and monitoring findings.
• Keep abreast of current scientific thinking and pursue appropriate academic development.
• Maintain and manage research and monitoring infrastructure and equipment.
• Mentor and supervise subordinates (Biotechnicians, Research Assistants, Environmental Monitors, and Interns), including work planning, scheduling, and performance appraisals. Work planning and scheduling, budget control, general administration.

Closing Date

• 30 March 2026