Senior Ecologist at Peace Parks Foundation

JOB PURPOSE

• The Senior Ecologist provides ecological and biodiversity expertise across Peace Parks’ operations, ensuring programmes and projects are grounded in sound science, aligned with environmental safeguards, and support organisational goals. Based in the Geospatial, Planning and Science (GPS) Unit, the role strengthens conservation practice and enhances the ecological integrity and resilience of priority landscapes by driving evidence-based decision-making and promoting innovative conservation approaches.
• Key functions include providing strategic ecological advice and capacity building; supporting research, monitoring, surveillance, and MEL processes to inform adaptive management and assess conservation impact; overseeing environmental safeguards to mitigate risks and ensure compliance; guiding conservation planning and management of protected areas and landscapes; and contributing to programme development and resource mobilisation to advance ecological and biodiversity priorities. The role connects science to practice, promotes innovation, and ensures standards compliance (national and international).
• Based at head office with regular field travel, the Senior Ecologist collaborates with internal teams, external partners, and government authorities to coordinate technical inputs, build capacity, and uphold ecological integrity across transfrontier conservation initiatives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• This role includes both strategic advisory responsibilities and direct leadership of ecological programme implementation in priority landscapes (e.g., coordinating and implementing wildlife monitoring, habitat restoration, and species protection programmes).

Strategic Ecological Advice and Capacity Building

• Provide expert ecological and biodiversity guidance to field teams and head office units to ensure the integration of scientific knowledge and adaptive management approaches into policies, strategies, plans and operational programmes.
• Identify and advise on ecological priorities across landscapes, including habitat restoration, species conservation, invasive species management, climate change adaptation, and ecosystem connectivity.
• Lead and coordinate the development, review, and implementation of ecological management instruments, ensuring alignment with best practice, risk mitigation considerations, and adaptive management principles.
• Chair and/or actively participate in cross-functional committees, forums, and working groups to promote evidence-based decision-making and influence ecological and conservation priorities across regions and programmes.
• Lead knowledge exchange and capacity building efforts by synthesising and sharing ecological insights through platforms such as the Peace Lab, workshops, and learning events, and by providing structured mentorship, supervision, and professional development support to landscape ecologists and field staff where required.

Ecological and Biodiversity Research, Surveillance and Monitoring

• Lead and support teams to design and establish ecological research, surveillance, and monitoring frameworks, including the selection of key attributes and indicators, development of methodologies, and alignment with organisational and landscape level conservation objectives and environmental safeguards.
• Provide guidance and technical support or lead the implementation of monitoring and research programmes and activities in priority landscapes, including advising on innovative technology, tools and approaches, data collection, data analysis for reporting, and the development of adaptive management responses based on findings.
• Ensure robust ecological and biodiversity data management processes, including quality assurance, ethical and scientific integrity, secure storage, and accessibility to support ongoing decision-making and learning.
• Conduct ecological and biodiversity field assessments where required (e.g., flora and fauna surveys, habitat mapping, ecosystem evaluations) to support baseline understanding and outcome tracking.
• Provide advice on organisational-level Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) processes for ecological information, including the systematic review of data trends, evaluation of programme effectiveness against conservation goals, and facilitation of learning loops to refine strategies, policies, and practices across the organisation.
• Lead or support data analysis and interpretation to produce evidence-based insights that inform planning, policy, and conservation action.
• Prepare clear and comprehensive technical reports and knowledge products based on research, assessments, and monitoring results.

Environmental Safeguards Leadership and Oversight

• Lead the implementation of environmental safeguards across projects and programmes, including conducting risk assessments, monitoring compliance, and coordinating corrective actions to minimise ecological impacts.
• Develop, refine, and maintain environmental safeguards frameworks, protocols, and tools to support the identification, avoidance, and mitigation of environmental risks by field and head office teams.
• Oversee and/or provide expert input into environmental impact assessments, environmental management plans, and development proposals to ensure alignment with national, regional, and international environmental standards and commitments.
• Coordinate and lead responses to environmental threats (e.g., habitat degradation, wildlife conflict, pollution incidents) in collaboration with internal teams and external partners to ensure effective mitigation.

Conservation Planning and Management

• Develop and review ecological models and scenarios to guide conservation planning and ecological and biodiversity management.
• Provide expert ecological input into management plans for protected areas, restoration sites, and community-managed landscapes.
• Support the development and implementation of species conservation strategies, habitat restoration plans, and climate change adaptation measures.
• Advise internal teams and partners on ecological considerations for sustainable land use, natural resource governance, and ecological and biodiversity conservation.

Programme Development and Resource Mobilisation

• Identify opportunities for ecological innovation, strategic programme development, and funding aligned with the organisation’s mission and conservation priorities.
• Provide ecological expertise in the design of programme strategies, project concept notes, grant proposals, and donor reports, ensuring scientific credibility and alignment with organisational objectives.
• Develop and manage annual work plans and budgets including procurement and oversight of external service providers for ecological advisory and safeguards oversight, ensuring efficient use of resources and delivery of agreed outcomes within budget.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to ensure integrated support and resources for field operations and organisational strategies.
• Prepare timely progress updates and contribute to organisational reporting, highlighting achievements, lessons learned, and areas requiring adjustment.
• Cultivate and strengthen strategic partnerships with academic institutions, NGOs, government entities, and private sector actors to advance collaborative research, surveillance, and ecological and biodiversity conservation related initiatives.

Job Requirements

• Advanced tertiary qualification in ecology, environmental science, biodiversity conservation, or related fields; an MSc is required, with a PhD would be an advantage.
• Minimum 10 years’ practical experience in ecological advisory roles, environmental safeguards, conservation management, or wildlife ecology, including at least 5 years in senior or leadership positions, with substantial field experience in southern Africa or similar ecosystems.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing teams, developing conservation strategies, and overseeing projects in resource-constrained environments.
• Strong knowledge of environmental impact assessments, safeguards frameworks, biodiversity research methodologies, and relevant international agreements.
• Experience in policy development, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with governments, NGOs, and academic institutions.
• Proficiency in data management, analysis tools, and technologies such as GIS, Earth Ranger, or similar for ecological monitoring and research.
• Excellent communication skills in English (written and verbal), with the ability to convey complex ideas to diverse audiences; proficiency in Portuguese is advantageous.
• Self-driven, adaptable personality with strong leadership ability, problem-solving skills, and the capacity to work under pressure in hybrid and remote field environments.
• Fit and healthy with willingness to travel extensively to remote areas.
• Computer literate with a valid Driver’s License.

Preferred:

• Registration with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions or a similar institution as a professional natural scientist.
• Track record of publishing research, securing funding, or influencing conservation policy in transboundary or African contexts.