Extension Officer - Fynbos at WWF South Africa

Minimum Requirements

• A tertiary qualification in conservation ecology, natural resources management, environmental management, or relevant field
• 3 to 5 years’ experience in the conservation sector.
• Knowledge and experience in conservation approaches and models, especially Biodiversity Stewardship in South Africa.
• Experience in Protected Area Management, Biodiversity Management, and application of conservation planning strategies will be an advantage.
• Knowledge of legislation related to protected area expansion and environmental management is important.
• Sound knowledge of fynbos ecological processes and threats to fynbos.
• Good understanding of sustainable agriculture practices and associated industry standards
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Outlook)
• Good working knowledge of and use of GIS software, spatial data management and mapping.
• Good presentation skills
• Ability to develop project planning schedules and work according to specific deadlines and targets.
• Excellent communication skills in both English and Afrikaans.
• Hold a valid driver’s license and willingness to travel extensively.
• Hold good interpersonal and communication skills
• Have a meticulous approach to work and keen attention to detail
• Be self-motivated, with strong analytical, administrative and project management skills
• Ability to develop professional working relationships with relevant partners in the public and private sectors.
• Ability to innovate, develop new approaches to achieve strategic targets and contribute to critical thinking to overcome barriers to implementation of relevant strategies/ planned project outcomes.
• Ability to work closely with a diverse team to achieve strategic goals.
• Be mindful of cultures and working styles of individuals.
• Have a passion for the conservation and the involvement of people and businesses in the implementation of practical solutions to the challenges facing the environment.
• Have a collaborative spirit and ability to work in team settings across cultures and internally within a diverse institution.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Secure priority areas within the fynbos biome using biodiversity stewardship mechanisms
• Conduct all due diligence processes to identify and prioritise potential stewardship sites, aligned to WWF’s Fynbos Strategy for engagement. This includes:
• Desktop spatial planning activities, producing regular reports and presentations and maintaining project databases.
• Developing short and long-term project planning schedules and meeting project deadlines.
• Prepare for and undertake necessary partner and landowner engagements including convening meetings with landowners and other stakeholders in accordance with stewardship processes.
• Maintain and build relationships with stakeholders and participating landowners. Arrange and conduct carry on site biodiversity assessments and present findings to relevant provincial led biodiversity stewardship review panels.
• Negotiate relevant stewardship agreements with landowners.
• Work closely with provincial conservation agencies and contacted legal services to ensure concluding of agreements and declaration processes where applicable.
• Provide post declaration support to landowners
• On finalising relevant biodiversity stewardship agreements:
• Develop site level biodiversity management plans for stewardship sites
• Assist landowners with the implementation of management objectives provided in site management plans
• Where necessary convene relevant stakeholders to support the biodiversity management and applicable technical support required.
• Together with relevant stakeholders, conduct necessary annual audits and develop annual plans of operation in accordance with management plans for landowner implementation.
• Where applicable, support the landowner in accessing incentives to assist in achieving management objectives.
• Work closely with relevant municipalities and experts where applicable to ensure landowners receive any applicable fiscal and tax incentives related to stewardship agreements and management plans.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders
• Maintain a professional working relationship with project funders. This includes keeping funders informed of progress through regular reporting and providing periodic presentations.
• Work closely with and maintain relationships with provincial conservation authority, the provincial stewardship program and relevant stewardship platforms.
• Work closely with supporting stakeholders such as conservation-based NGO’s and supporting partners such as LandCare and CapeNature.
• Attend and actively participate in relevant workshops, peer learning events, stewardship and area-based platforms.
• Collaborate with other WWF programmes to support the work WWF implements in common landscapes and to make use of opportunities for securing biodiversity stewardship sites.
• Communicate with stakeholders timeously in a professional and efficient manner