Team Leader - Ecologist (Level 11) - Biodiversity Intelligence, Head Office - Bridgetown at CapeNature

Job Description

The Team Leader: Ecologist works to ensure that biodiversity conservation knowledge and planning systems are integrated into CapeNature’s Conservation Operations and protected area management through strengthening intergovernmental cooperation mechanisms, maximising the potential of strategic partnership projects, and supporting efficient uptake of conservation intelligence outputs within, and external to CapeNature.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

KRA 1: Lead, manage and enable the development and integration of knowledge, planning, and monitoring systems.

• Lead and contribute to the development of an annual Western Cape State of Conservation Report.
• Lead the development of the five yearly Western Cape State of Biodiversity Report.
• Contribute to Biodiversity and Protected Area Management Plans.
• Contribute to the updating of the five yearly Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan.
• Contribute to the five-yearly Catchment to Coast Strategy
   

KRA 2: Lead, manage and develop policy to integrate ecological decision support for effective landscape conservation.

• Ensure timeous, lawful, compliant, and consistent authorisations for biodiversity use.
• Contribute to the evidence-based non-detriment findings for CITES and TOPS listed species.
• Lead science-based contributions to development and implementation of Western Cape Biodiversity Legislation,
• Contribute to the development of CapeNature Legislative Policies and Biodiversity Governance Position Statements.
• Contribute to the CapeNature reviews and comments on Biodiversity and Environmental Legislation.

KRA 3: Generate impact through the enablement, development and integration of leading-edge technologies, practice, policy, science, and innovation.

• Contribute to and mainstream the implementation of an effective web-based integrated conservation and biodiversity data management system with strategic partners, biodiversity research entities and other biodiversity institutions for CapeNature
• Mainstream leading edge, professional, formal scientific research (internally and externally), technical reports, memoranda, assessments and publications, peer reviewed scientific publications, presentations, and presentations at appropriate Provincial/National/International Biodiversity Conservation Conferences to advance the practice of biodiversity conservation.
• Contribute to the research, development, and implementation of Strategic Adaptive Management Models for biodiversity, conservation, and integrated catchment management.

KRA 4: Engage, collaborate, and engage with strategic partners.

• Represent CapeNature’s mandate and interests on appropriate National and Provincial Forums.
• Mainstream and support the prioritisation of strategic partnerships and finalisation of Memoranda of Agreement/Understanding.
• Facilitate the development of appropriate external funding proposals and implement externally funded projects when applicable.

KRA 5: Lead, manage and implement the development of biodiversity capability, capacity, and the implement innovation.

• Lead and support the development, deployment, and integration of Biodiversity Capabilities products and expert decision support into Conservation Operations
• Lead, develop, contribute to, and deliver stakeholder capacity building and awareness about healthy natural ecosystems, habitats and landscapes, and ecosystem services.
• Lead the mainstreaming and uptake of optimal procedures, practices and processes for effective biodiversity monitoring and surveillance.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Natural Science degree in the field of Conservation Science, Ecological Science, Biological Science or Zoological Science (NQF 7) with at least five (preferably eight) years’ professional post qualification experience.
• Extensive knowledge of applicable relevant national and provincial biodiversity legislation and knowledge of multilateral environmental agreements.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the ecology, fauna, and flora of the Western Cape and the primary threats to its biodiversity.
• Sound knowledge of biodiversity policies in the Western Cape.
• Demonstratable project management and organizational skills. Applicants are required to upload an example of a completed project or plan for which they were they were responsible.
• Excellent formal report and scientific writing skills. Applicants are required to upload a self-authored report/thesis/publication.
• Demonstratable experience in workshop facilitation. Applicants are required to upload an example of where they were a primary workshop facilitator, (i.e. agenda, programme, and proceedings).
• Proficiency in at least two of the three official languages of the Western Cape.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficiency in using a full-featured GIS Software Package/s (e.g., QGIS or ArcGIS).
• In possession of a valid unendorsed Code EB unendorsed driver’s license with own vehicle. Must be willing to regularly travel extensively throughout the Western Cape Province and elsewhere as required.
• No criminal record.

COMPETENCIES

• Self-motivated and requiring a minimal amount of supervision and technical management; and
• Comfortable working in a team with a willingness and patience to capacitate colleagues and stakeholders Excellent written and verbal communication and inter-personal skills.
• Proficiency in statistical analyses.
• Advanced interpersonal and communication skills.
• Advanced problem solving, analytical, strategic, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work under pressure with multiple stakeholders.
• An active learning, innovative and problem-solving approach to job, with good organisation skills.
• Ability to work to a detailed schedule and meet deadlines.
• Ability to prioritise and adapt, managing multiple projects and tight deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships colleagues, peers, and professional associations.