Job Opportunities at CapeNature

Job Description

CapeNature is seeking to appoint a receptionist to manage our front desk daily. The Receptionist is the first point of contact for the entire organisation, which requires a positive attitude and polished, professional appearance. This position will multitask a variety of front office activities. The Receptionist requires a proven efficiency in operating a multi-line telephone system, providing clerical support and dealing capably with customers and queries.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Customer Service

• Greet and welcome guests as soon as they arrive at the office.
• Provide and promote an efficient and friendly customer service.
• Welcoming on-site guests, determine nature of business, and announce guest to appropriate personnel.
• Assisting with walk in clients.
• Direct visitors to the appropriate person and office.
• Provide basic and accurate information in-person and via phone/email.

Admin and Clerical Support

• Maintain office security by following safety procedures and controlling access via the reception desk. (monitor logbook, issue visitor badges)
• Manage Head Office boardrooms and scheduling.
• Update calendars and schedule meetings as required.
• Manage the reception area and ensuring it is neat and tidy.
• Arrange travel and accommodation as required.
• Records/Registry assistance as required.
• Assist Administration of infrastructure, assets and inventory.
• Assist with procurement administration and handling of enquiries.

Switchboard / Telephone duties

• Managing the main switchboard, answering, and transferring of telephone calls
• Taking and delivering messages or transferring calls to voicemail when appropriate personnel are unavailable.

REQUIREMENTS: Qualifications and Experience

• Grade 12
• No criminal record
• Ability to write and communicate in any two of the Western Cape official languages..
• At least 1 year Receptionist/ Front Office experience/Customer Service experience

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Computer literacy in MS Word and Excel
• Possession of a valid driver’s license
• Experience in Office Administration
• Basic knowledge of Finance transactions

COMPETENCIES:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Punctual, neat, and responsible
• Ability to work in a team and independently
• Proven ability to communicate professionally
• Proven job diligence, dedication, and diligence.
• Commitment to work as part of essential services to the Entity
• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to be resourceful and initiative-taking when issues arise
• Multitasking and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks

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RESPONSIBILITIES:

KEY RESPONSIBILITY NO 1 – PROTECTED AREA & INTEGRATED CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT

• Assist Reserve Management with effective Protected Area Management and Expansion of the Protected Area Estate aligned with conservation, access, tourism, heritage, and sustainable utilisation plans.
• Interpret and implement applicable biodiversity, conservation, financial and administrative policies, SOP’s and guidelines.
• Assist Reserve Management with effective Integrated Catchment Management aligned with conservation, access, tourism, heritage, and sustainable utilisation plans and mitigate related risks.
• Assist Reserve Management with effective ecological management integrating conservation, access, tourism, natural heritage, and sustainable utilisation to identify and mitigate risks.
• Assist Reserve Management with conservation management and monitoring at protected area and landscape levels and ensuring progressive operationalization of various CapeNature programmes.
• Assist Reserve Management with progressive Integrated Catchment Management, with regards to fire and fuel load management and alien vegetation management.
• Undertake project management as it pertains to appointment of service providers or implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme including but not limited to invasive species control and eradication, the making of firebreaks, etc.
• Assist Reserve Management with management of assets and infrastructure.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY NO 2 – HUMAN RESOURCES AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

• Manage a dynamic field team in keeping with legislation, policies, and procedures and promote a highly productive and motivated team.
• Implement sound Human Resource Management.
• Manage Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) appointed at the Vrolijkheid and Riviersonderend Complex.
• Ensure the timeous submission of quality reports, administration, attendance registers, standby, subsistence and travel allowance and overtime claims in the prescribed formats and in keeping with policy and procedure.
• Implement the Occupational Health and Safety Act and associated policies and procedures.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY NO 3 – FINANCE & ADMIN and ASSET / INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

• Implement Financial and Administration Management in keeping with applicable legislation, policies and procedures.
• Assist with Implementation of the Supply Chain Management Policies and procedures.
• Support effective financial, supply chain management, asset, fleet and administration management for the component.
• Assist with Implementation of Asset and Inventory management.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY NO 4 – TOURISM, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND AWARENESS & PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT

• Undertake Environmental Awareness Activities.
• Ensure a quality tourism experience and well maintained facilities in collaboration with CapeNature’s Ecotourism and Access Directorate.
• Undertake environmental control officer duties as and when required.
• Participate in stakeholder / partnership meetings as it pertains to the achievement of protected area goals and objectives.
• Prepare reports on the findings of infrastructure assessments.
• Develop and implement infrastructure maintenance schedules and assist in the management of activities, facilities and infrastructure.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY NO 5 – COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

• Implement compliance monitoring and law enforcement on and off reserves to protect biodiversity and promote access through responsible tourism and sustainable resource utilisation.

REQUIREMENTS:

• National Diploma Nature Conservation.
• At least 5 years’ appropriate experience in a nature conservation environment.
• Bilingualism in two of the three official languages of the Western Cape.
• A valid driver’s license
• Knowledge of environmental legislation.
• No criminal record
• Appointed EMI or Peace officer.

COMPETENCIES

• Fire suppression
• Willingness to work irregular hours, after hours and perform stand-by duties
• Thorough working knowledge of MS Office
• Good written, verbal, interpersonal and communication skills in English
• Physical fitness to be able to perform activities
• Appropriate ICS 200/300 training
• QGIS (or equivalent)
• A skipper license will be an added advantage.

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Job Description

The Integrated Catchment Specialist: Disaster and Climate Response will assist with disaster risk reduction and climate change planning in the province. The ideal candidate should have well-developed interpersonal, communication and writing skills and a high level of professionalism.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Direct and enable the development and integration of knowledge, planning and monitoring systems to advance the practice of integrated catchment management (ICM):
• Compile the Annual Fire Report.
• Lead and contribute to the development of Landscape Veldfire Response Plans.
• Provide inputs into the Western Cape Province Disaster Risk Strategies.
• Contribute to the compilation of a Disaster Management Plan.
• Develop and standardise integrated catchment management systems across all Landscapes.
• Provide technical inputs to assess legal liabilities related to fire damage and assist with the preparation of evidence.
• Ensure fire awareness is mainstreamed internally and externally.

Direct, develop and integrate effective integrated catchment management policy:

• Contribute to the implementation of the ICM 5-Year Strategy and Implementation Plan.
• Provide decision support.
• Prioritise interventions for integrated catchment management including, fires, invasive alien species and rehabilitation within the province.
• Develop risk reduction mitigation measures and the implementation thereof.
• Identify and participate in relevant research projects.

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

• Lead priority integrated catchment management planning interventions to support operations in the landscapes.
• Analyse main findings and recommendations from pre- and post-fire season audits on CapeNature managed Protected Areas and provide a summary report.
• Ensure the Incident Command System (ICS) is implemented effectively at relevant incidents and participate in ICS where required and at the Provincial level.
• Lead the assessment of specialised fire PPE and equipment needs and ensure provision to Landscapes before fire season.

Engage and collaborate with strategic partners for advancing, securing and enabling the development and deployment of biodiversity conservation capabilities:

• Direct and guide the prioritisation of strategic partnerships and finalisation of all relevant partnership and stakeholder agreements.
• Contribute to and enable the development of funding proposals.
• Contribute to the review of fire partnership cost-benefit analyses.
• Lead and direct the implementation of disaster management.
• Coordinate all resources for fire suppression in CapeNature in consultation with other partners and stakeholders.

Direct and implement the development of biodiversity capability, capacity and the integration of innovation and technology:

• Manage the research, development and implementation of innovative technologies, concepts, practices and processes.
• Lead the identification and facilitation of the development and deployment of Biodiversity Capabilities in Conservation Operations.
• Direct the development of Standard Operating Guidelines and Procedures for integrated catchment and associated tools and training interventions.
• Promote awareness about healthy ecosystems, habitats and landscapes, and ecosystem services.
• Lead the coordination of staff training in natural disaster management response.

Embody CapeNature’s core values and core management standards:

• Embody the CapeNature’s iCARE values: innovation, customer service, accountability, respect, and ethics.
• Provide strategic leadership.
• Ensure sound financial management and manage human and asset resources effectively.
• Ensure team cohesion and empowerment.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications and Experience:

• A relevant NQF 7 or higher qualification in Nature Conservation.
• Five to eight years’ working experience in integrated catchment management in the fynbos environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the functioning of ecological processes and conservation management. Applicants are required to include details of relevant conservation management experience in their resumes.
• Demonstrated project leadership and management ability. Applicants are required to upload an example of a completed project or plan for which they were they were responsible.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of applicable legislation and the implementation thereof.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the biodiversity of the Western Cape, and the primary threats to biodiversity in the Western Cape.
• Incident Command training and experience: Minimum Certificate ICS 300/400 or ICS 420 qualification as well as Certificate in General Staff position-specific training. Applicants are required to upload certification.
• Bilingualism in at least two of the official languages of the Western Cape.
• Advanced understanding and experience of sound financial management.
• 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

• Advanced analytical, strategic, and creative problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure with multiple stakeholders.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, writing, reporting and presentation skills.
• Advanced project planning and organizing skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Detailed knowledge of and demonstrated experience using a full-featured GIS Software Package/s (e.g., QGIS or ArcGIS).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to prioritise and adapt, managing multiple projects and tight deadlines.