Senior Environmental Specialist - Biodiversity - Cities at Border Management Authority

Description

The successful candidates will be expected to perform the following: 

• Provide specialist technical advice and guidance on the implementation of biodiversity legislation, including the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004), CITES, the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations and other applicable biodiversity legislation.
• Monitor and evaluate biodiversity compliance activities undertaken by operational officials in the execution of their functions, analyse compliance trends relating to biodiversity and the lawful trade in CITES-listed species, and provide technical recommendations to address identified compliance gaps.
• Provide specialist technical support and expert guidance to Regions, Ports of Entry and management on biodiversity compliance, wildlife trade regulations, permit administration, species identification and other technical biodiversity matters.
• Provide specialist advice and recommendations on complex biodiversity compliance matters, wildlife trade investigations, permit irregularities and other technical matters referred to by operational officials and management.
• Develop, review and standardise technical procedures, guidelines, methodologies and tools to promote the consistent interpretation and implementation of biodiversity legislation across the Authority.
• Conduct technical compliance assessments and quality assurance reviews and provide specialist recommendations to strengthen legislative compliance and the effective implementation of biodiversity management systems.
• Develop and implement biodiversity information management, reporting and performance monitoring mechanisms to support evidence-based decision-making and organisational reporting.
• Provide specialist technical input into biodiversity strategies, policies, frameworks, plans and performance requirements and advise on their implementation across the Authority.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with relevant government departments, conservation authorities, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders, and represent the Authority at relevant national and international technical forums, as delegated.
• Develop and facilitate specialist technical training, mentoring and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen biodiversity management and compliance capabilities.
• Perform any other biodiversity-related functions assigned by the Executive Manager: Environment that are consistent with the scope and level of the post.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the Border Management Authority Act (BMA, Act No. 2 of 2020
• Sound understanding of environmental legislation and its associated regulatory framework, including the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations, and other applicable biodiversity legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks.
• Biodiversity management principles, species identification, permit administration and biodiversity compliance systems.
• Public sector governance, policy development, strategic planning, programme management, reporting frameworks, and performance management.
• Environmental compliance monitoring, quality assurance methodologies and risk management principles.
• Research methodologies, information management, data analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and organisational reporting.
• Intergovernmental relations and stakeholder management within the environmental regulatory environment.
• Project management principles and the coordination of multidisciplinary programmes and initiatives.
• Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999), where applicable to the management of programmes and resources.
• Computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and other information management systems relevant to the environmental management function.

Requirements

Minimum requirements

• Grade 12
• An NQF Level 7 qualification recognised by SAQA in Biological sciences, Nature Conservation, Conservation Biology, Botany, Zoology, Environmental Management, or an equivalent qualification within the biodiversity or natural sciences field.
• An NQF Level 8 qualification recognised by SAQA in Biological sciences, Nature Conservation, Conservation Biology, Botany, Zoology, Environmental Management, or an equivalent qualification within the biodiversity or natural sciences field. will be an added advantage
• Environmental Management Inspector (EMI) designation will be an added advantage
• Will be required to travel nationally and internationally.
• Flexibility in working hours will be required to meet the demands of the role.
• May be required to work overtime.
• Valid driver’s License.

Minimum Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years' relevant experience, obtained after the completion of an NQF Level 7 qualification, at a junior management specialist level in biodiversity management, environmental compliance, environmental governance, conservation management, regulatory services or a related specialist environment.
• Demonstrable experience in the interpretation and implementation of environmental legislation, biodiversity governance, policy development, technical advisory services and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in developing and implementing environmental policies, strategies, frameworks, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and technical guidelines.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating biodiversity compliance activities/programmes, analysing compliance trends and preparing strategic technical reports for management.
• Experience in coordinating multidisciplinary projects, technical committees or stakeholder forums involving biodiversity management and environmental compliance.
• Experience in capacity building, mentoring and the provision of specialist technical support within an environmental regulatory environment.