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CapeNature is the biodiversity conservation authority in the Western Cape, South Africa promoting sustainable eco-tourism and access.
Job Description
The Conservation Manager: Off-Reserve, Peninsula will drive and manage the compliance with relevant biodiversity legislation, extension, conservation management, monitoring and contribute to the progressive operationalization of CapeNature programs and projects.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Protected Area Expansion and the Management of the Conservation Estate
- Protected area expansion planning priorities informed by the WPAES and BSP and associated conservation intelligence are implemented.
- Ensure effective Integrated Management and expansion of the Protected Area Estate.
- Ensure implementation of the Landscape West Stewardship strategy as well as Annual Plan of Operations related to the Protected Area.
- Contribute towards peer learning in the field of protected area expansion.
- Projects identified in the Ecological matrix implemented.
- Submission of data to relevant databases (SOB, Game database).
- Attend meetings with the ecological coordinator to review the projects as required.
Ensure effective compliance monitoring on and off reserves in order to protect biodiversity
- Ensure effective compliance monitoring and general environmental crime prevention and investigations on and off reserves in order to protect biodiversity.
- Participate in investigations/joint operations with regards to non-compliance with legislation or report non-compliance to relevant authorities.
- Issue admission of guilt fines and compile and assist with case dockets.
- Conduct mandatory inspections & submit reports for applications received (including habitat assessments, TOPS permits, CITES endorsements & damage causing animals/injured wildlife interventions).
- Provide recommendations on permit applications to Compliance Biodiversity Conservation
- Review, comment on and recommend management plans and risk assessments received.
- Complete quarterly register and submit databases.
Leadership and management to advocate for behavioral change and promote voluntary compliance
- Increase awareness, extension, and established community involvement in protected area management to promote conservation off reserves.
Initiate, drive, manage, monitor, and maintain partnerships and stakeholder relations that benefit Conservation Management
- Leadership and management to enhance biodiversity resilience through targeted ecosystem conservation and restoration initiatives.
- Improved formal communication structures are implemented.
- Ensure that legislative, policy, and strategy changes are disseminated to relevant stakeholders (external and internal as may be required).
- Submit inputs/comments on draft legislation, policies strategies, protocols & other prescripts
Overall accountability for ensuring performance, governance, financial management and risk management.
- Effective, induction, orientation, training / mentoring and development of staff.
- Implement Performance Management System
- Provide opportunities for intra and inter landscape experiential training.
- Management specific reporting.
- Ensure effective health and safety management.
- Ensure effective financial and administrative management of the component.
- Ensure an enabling environment is created for formal and informal partnerships to mitigate risks to biodiversity.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Qualifications and Experience
- National Diploma in Nature Conservation / equivalent qualification at NQF 6 in a Nature Conservation field.
- At least 3 years’ management experience in the Conservation Sector.
- A valid EB (08) driver’s license.
- Working knowledge of MS Office with QGIS (or equivalent) advantageous.
- Bilingualism in at least 2 of the official languages of the Western Cape.
- Understanding of Environmental Legislation.
- Experience in implementation of Stewardship methodology.
- Peace Officer
Competencies
- Strong leadership ability to lead and conflict resolution skills.
- Proven track record of managing an area in the conservation sector and sound interpersonal, communication and people management skills.
- Exceptional ability to work effectively within teams (as a leader and as team member).
- High Competency in Computer literacy and Report writing skills.
- Managerial and Project Management experience.
- Physical fitness to perform duties and inspections.
- High levels of personal responsibility and accountability.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Willingness to travel regularly and ability to drive on 4x4 terrain.
- No criminal record.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- B-Tech Degree in Nature Conservation / appropriate Master’s Degree will be advantageous.
- Valid Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI) Certificate.