Specialist Environmental Central - Piet Retief at Mondi Group

Purpose of the position:

Reporting to the Environmental & Certification Manager, the incumbent will provide conservation ecology and management extension support, as well as environmental management system support, to Mondi’s Central Forestry Operations team.  The goal is to realise continuous improvement in conservation ecology and other environmental management performance critical measures over time.  

Qualification & Expertise

• Conservation ecologist or Conservation management specialist with a BSc degree or BTech (Essential) or higher qualification in  conservation ecology, conservation management, rangeland management, or similar related qualification.
• Desirable - Specialist qualification as Lead Auditor – ISO 14001 (2015), FSC Forest Management or equivalent Lead Auditor qualification in another land use sector e.g. Agriculture, Conservation.
• Desirable - Professional registration with S.A Council for Natural Scientific Professions.

JOB EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in conservation ecology, conservation management or related rangeland management fields.  In specialist ecological advice extension services, and/or direct hands-on management. (Essential)
• Some conservation ecology and management extension experience, and/or environmental management experience, in the forestry sector, or in other related land use sectors, e.g. Agriculture (Desirable)
• Relevant expertise and experience in environmental legislation (i.e. conservation, EIA, water, agriculture).

RESPONSIBILITIES / KPAS:

• Provides an effective strategic and day-to-day conservation ecology and management extension service to forestry operations teams.
• Provides an effective, strategic and day-to-day environmental advisory service, through the application of Mondi’s environmental management system requirements to a diverse set of forestry operational situations.
• Proactively stays abreast of, and applies, conservation ecology and management research and best practices within strategic and day-to-day operational matters.
• Interprets conservation and other environmental related policies and legislation for strategic and day-to-day forestry operational matters. 
• Ensures effective reporting at Forestry Operations and Area meetings, in site visits with Foresters, and in internal audits. 
• Organises ecosystem and species monitoring, specialist assessments, and other support services as and when required.
• Acts as a catalyst for conservation and other related environmental projects and manages coordination thereof.
• Facilitates the development and updating of operations-related conservation and environmental management plans (EMP), including workplan unit EMPs, invasive alien plant management, and fire management plans.
• Builds relationships and partnerships both internally (e.g. operations, technical, stakeholder engagement, etc) and externally (e.g. conservancies, NGOs, government conservation, agriculture & water).
• Facilitates informal learning opportunities for foresters/contractors/technical to deliberate key conservation ecology and other environmental issues, e.g. workshops, field days, interest groups, etc.
• Involves the Environmental Manager in key operational decisions as and when required.
• Provides support to assist with conformance with FSC, PEFC (SAFAS), and ISO 14001 (2015) certification requirements

JOB COMPETENCIES / ATTRIBUTES/SKILLS – ESSENTIAL:

• Technical expertise and working knowledge of conservation ecology and management related principles and requirements in, amongst others, important ecosystems (grasslands, wetlands, woodlands and forests) and their management (e.g. invasive alien plants, fire, grazing).
• Working knowledge of environmental-related legislation, including integrated environmental management, as it relates to conservation and environmental management in production landscapes. 
• Computer proficiency, including the understanding and use of MS Office as essential tools, including, proficiency in Excel.
• Valid driver’s license. 
• Technical expertise in, and working knowledge with FSC, PEFC (SAFAS), ISO 14001 (2015), or related certification systems.
• GIS and/or database management and analysis.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Passionate about the environment, including biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use.
• Leader of self; as well as leader and convenor of others.  Will easily earn the respect of his/her    peers and colleagues.
• Can take people along with them (influencer), but has the strength of character to stand strong in group or individual meetings (leadership, assertiveness).
• Works to find solutions together with operational teams (convening, facilitation).
• Good interpersonal and communication skills for internal and external engagements.
• Self-starter, takes the initiative.
• Ability to work under pressure