Jobs at South African National Biodiversity Institute

Job Description

Reference Number:

• The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is looking for a self-motivated individual to provide support and professional advice to all SANBI Business Units with regard to SCM policies, procedures, processes, practices, systems, and frameworks which are governed by the Public Finance Management Act, Treasury Regulations, and other Legislation.
• These positions require a national diploma in Supply Chain Management, Logistics or equivalent qualification at NQF 6 with 4 years of work experience in the relevant field or a degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics or equivalent qualification at NQF 7 with 2 years of work experience in the relevant field.
• A postgraduate qualification in Supply Chain Management, Logistics or equivalent qualification with NQF 8 will be an added advantage.
• The following competencies are required for the candidate to be successful in this position: extensive knowledge of legislation, policies, procedures, processes, practices, systems, and frameworks related to supply chain management is essential; in-depth knowledge of Public Finance Management Act, Treasury Regulations,
• Generally Recognised Accounting Practice is essential; advanced planning, organizing, and problem-solving skills; excellent communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills; report writing skills, people management skills, excellent computer literacy and experience in the application of software tools including (Ms. Word, MS Project, PowerPoint, Excel, Internet, and Outlook) will be advantageous.
• The possession of a valid driver’s license with at least one year of practical driving experience and a willingness to travel is essential. 

Key Performance Responsibilities include:

• Attend procurement matters in line with Supply Chain Management policies
• Attend to an end to end administration matters related to evaluation, and awarding processes
• Attend to briefing sessions
• Provide professional service to suppliers and other related stakeholders; and
• Provide assistance to improve governance, manage risk, and attend to compliance matters within the business unit

Closing Date 22 July 2026

go to method of application »

Job Description

• The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is looking for a self-motivated and professional individual to ensure biodiversity data is accurate, organised, standardised, accessible, and sustainably maintained. The focus of the work will be on data governance, quality, systems, pipelines, and long-term management and security of the Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) project’s biodiversity data.
• This position requires a degree in Biodiversity Informatics, Environmental Science, Information Science, or equivalent qualification with NQF 7. A post-graduate qualification in Biodiversity Informatics, Environmental Science, Information Science, or equivalent qualification at NQF 8 will be an added advantage. 
• This position also requires 6 years of work experience in the relevant field of biodiversity data management, informatics, or environmental data systems of which 3 years should be in supervisory position(s).
• The following competencies are required for the candidate to be successful in this position: Demonstrated experience with: Ingestion, cleaning, validation, and QC of biodiversity or spatial datasets; GIS systems (especially ESRI tools) and spatial data workflows; Coordinating data contributions from researchers, institutions, field teams, or citizen scientists and supporting users in a data or technical environment (helpdesk-style role).
• ESRI ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise, Survey123, Field Maps, Spreadsheet tools (Excel), scripting (Python/R), an advantage; Metadata and documentation tools and valid driver’s licence with at least one year practical driving experience and a willingness to travel is essential.

Key Performance Responsibilities include:

• Oversee ingestion, validation, quality control, and curation of biodiversity and spatial datasets;
• Ensure metadata standards are applied (e.g., Darwin Core, SANBI metadata standards);
• Maintain data infrastructure reliability, versioning, backups, and access control;
• Support data contributors, citizen scientists, and internal users, working closely with the BIM Team on hosting, security, user access and system stability; and
• Coordinate data lifecycle management from collection, processing to publication.

Closing Date 14 July 2026

go to method of application »

Job Description

Reference Number: GKBC/2026/006

• The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is looking for passionate and self-motivated individuals to fulfill a key horticultural and conservation role by leading the development and maintenance of the General Gardens and herbaceous perennials display garden areas and associated living collections, as well as the Succulent displays in both the garden and conservatory areas and associated living collection at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
• These positions require a national diploma in Horticulture or relevant and equivalent qualification at NQF 6 with 4 years of work experience in the relevant field or an advanced diploma or degree in Horticulture or relevant and equivalent qualification with NQF 7 with 2 years of work experience in the relevant field. A postgraduate qualification in Horticulture or relevant and equivalent qualification at NQF 8 will be an added advantage. 
• The position is responsible for curating and cultivating  a wide range of Succulent genera or South African plants and herbaceous perennials with the following key competencies for the candidate to be successful in these positions: excellent knowledge and understanding of indigenous horticulture maintenance and conservation are essential; knowledge of propagation procedures, protocols and processes, practical experience and knowledge of propagation facilities, knowledge of field collecting and plant introduction and care, competent in long term curation and maintenance of living plant collections, understanding landscaping using fynbos and natural design elements, leading and managing a team of conservation workers in the garden and nursery collections, knowledgeable and experience with working with conservation stakeholders, advanced planning, organizing, and problem solving skills; ability to work under pressure whilst being safety conscious; excellent communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills; excellent computer literacy with MS tools will be advantageous.
• The possession of a valid driver’s licence with at least one-year practical driving experience. 

Key Performance Responsibilities include:

• Conduct garden display and living collections operations planning, maintenance and development;
• Lead the management of people and maintain high levels of performance;
• Manage the coordination of curation of living collections in both the garden and collections nursery;
• Promote & participate in horticultural, plant conservation, and research projects; and
• Conduct planning, coordination and implementation of projects to promote the mission of SANBI and Kirstenbosch.
• Salary commensurate with a range of inputs and outputs in terms of the SANBI career ladder for horticulturists.

Closing Date 15 July 2026

go to method of application »

Job Description

Salary Level 10 – (5 Year Contract)

Fixed-Term Contract of Employment for five (5) years’

• The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is looking for a self-motivated individual to provide specialised GIS technical support and knowledge to SANBI and partner institutions for the Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) project, including the development of relevant ecosystem accounts and related indicators towards informing the development of policy and tools that support the ecosystem accounting work in South Africa.
• Technical spatial analysis support also includes: generating, sourcing and managing spatial data, mapping and georeferencing, undertaking spatial analyses, data management and curation, database design and integration, technical reporting, building capacity in GIS and spatial analysis, and interpreting and communicating the outputs through data visualisation and cartography.
• This position requires a degree Natural Sciences, Life Sciences, Ecology, Biology, Botany or equivalent qualification with NQF 7.  A post-graduate qualification or equivalent qualification at NQF 8 will be an added advantage.  This position also requires 6 years of work experience in the relevant field, 3 years of which should be in supervisory level.
• The following competencies are required for the candidate to be successful in this position: Proficiency in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) including applied experience in spatial mapping/analysis.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in natural capital accounting, especially working with Natural Capital Accounts spatial and non-spatial data; the ability to translate ecological data into decision-relevant policy insights; advanced capability in the spatial mapping of ecological infrastructure and ecological systems; Understanding of national and global biodiversity conservation policies and frameworks .
• South African Council for Natural Scientific Profession (SACNASP) or South African Council for Professional and Technical Surveyors (Plato) registration advantageous. Excellent verbal and written English communication skills including interpersonal skills presentations and workshop facilitation skills.
• Exercise judgment within broadly defined practices and policies to select methods and techniques to obtain results. Understanding of how to work with and into communities of practice especially in GIS and related fields; project management skills. 
• The ability to develop partnerships and manage multi-faceted stakeholders from various backgrounds and cultures, advanced planning, organizing, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent computer literacy and experience in the application of software tools including (GIS, Ms Word, MS Project, PowerPoint, Excel, Internet and Outlook) is essential. The possession of a valid driver’s licence (minimum B) with at least one-year practical driving experience and a willingness to travel is essential.

Key Performance Responsibilities include: 

• Source (gather), generate (capture data, create secondary data) and manage (store, secure or disseminate) Eco-DRR spatial data for ecosystem accounts;
• Develop and review ecosystem accounts in the Eco-DRR project;
• Provide specialist technical expertise related to other spatial analysis for Eco-DRR; 
• Report and communicate methods and findings from ecosystem accounts and other spatial analyses to support Eco-DRR project monitoring and evaluation; and
• Facilitate Human Capital Development within the Eco-DRR Project.

Closing Date 15 July 2026