Job Description

CapeNature seeks to appoint a professional, competent, innovative, and energetic candidate to its Land Use Scientist position based in Jonkershoek. The ideal candidate should have detailed knowledge of Fynbos and Renosterveld ecosystems and well developed interpersonal, communication and writing skills coupled with a high level of professionalism.

The role of the Land Use Scientist is to provide a professional scientific support service (to all relevant stakeholders), in such a manner as to promote biodiversity resilience, inform land use and development planning, environmental assessments and authorisations, natural resource management and other multi-sectoral planning processes; and deploy innovation to develop human and knowledge capital towards achieving the strategic objectives of CapeNature.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

KRA 1: Manage effective data, knowledge and information flow in order to produce quality data, information and intelligence to inform and facilitate strategic adaptive management.

Update landscape datasets for all priority projects.
Conduct or facilitate priority landscape monitoring of Critical Biodiversity Areas, Threatened vegetation or loss of Protected Areas.
Maintain and update existing Land Use Advice database, including spatial recording of development footprints.
Provide landscape feedback on tracking priority tasks, relating to land use advice cases.

KRA 2: Provide ecological decision support for effective landscape conservation and ensure sound scientific analysis of data through coordination to guide management planning and assessment.

Provide inputs into WCPAES development; Attend quarterly stewardship review committee meetings and provide inputs into protected area expansion projects.
Identify applications proactively or reactively that could contribute towards expanding the protected areas estate.
Number of formal commenting letters and engagements per quarter.

KRA 3: Facilitate and lead integrated landscape and protected area planning and review.

Number of Protected area management plans developed or reviewed annually.
Comment on all development proposals and event applications for CapeNature managed protected areas in accordance with relevant legislation.
Environmentally responsible development is conducted on reserve in respect of biodiversity impacts and legislation.

KRA 4: Build landscape intelligence knowledge and capacity and engage stakeholders and partners to support conservation management and ecosystem resilience through coordination and networking.

Maintain active landscape partnerships with inter alia Municipalities, Biosphere partners, DEA&DP, academic institutes, specialists, NGOs, etc.
Contribute to the development of landscape MOUs.
Develop or contribute to the development of biodiversity legislative tools such as BMP-s, BMP-e, spatial biodiversity plans, AIS management plans, biodiversity and other legislation, regulation, policies, N&S, SOPs and SOGs.
Attend, present and represent the landscape at events and platforms that are relevant to biodiversity, land use and conservation planning and contribute to the promotion of public awareness about healthy natural ecosystems, habitats, landscapes, and ecosystem services.
Provide and support capacity building interventions on conservation planning and/or land use.

KRA 5: Assume accountability for ensuring performance, governance and risk management of Landscape Conservation Intelligence in the Landscape.

Identify and support the acquisition and maintenance of priority landscape monitoring equipment within the LCI unit.
Complete of annual performance agreement and self-appraisal process.
Participate in LCI related team meetings and contribute to strategic management decision making.
Actively engage with fellow landscape LCI unit and BC staff to ensure organisational consistency.

REQUIREMENTS:

A Natural Science MSc. Degree, plus 5 years relevant work experience, which meets the requirements for SACNASP registration as a Professional Scientist in the appropriate field of practice (Botanical Science, Ecological Science, Biological Science, Environmental Science).
Excellent botanical knowledge of Fynbos and Renosterveld ecosystems and species.
A good understanding of freshwater and coastal ecosystems in the Western Cape.
Detailed knowledge of applicable current environmental and land use legislation such as the National Environmental Management Act; National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act; National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act; National Water Act; Mining and Petroleum Resources Development Act.
A good working knowledge of the MS Office suite and full-featured GIS Packages (e.g. QGIS or ArcGIS, Cape Farm Mapper and Google Earth Pro.)
A valid driver’s Code 8 license
Proficiency in English and one other official language of the Western Cape.

COMPETENCIES

Experience in working with environmental and land use planning policies, frameworks and guidelines, preferably in the Western Cape.
Experience writing and reviewing botanical and ecological specialist reports.
A good understanding of the principles of systematic conservation planning and knowledge of systematic conservation plans applicable to the Western Cape Province, including the challenges likely to be faced in implementation.
A good understanding of the Provincial and National Protected Area Expansion Strategies.
A good understanding of biodiversity offset mechanisms and applicable legislation.
Self-motivated and requiring a minimal amount of supervision and technical management.
Comfortable working in a team with a willingness and patience to capacitate colleagues and stakeholders.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including a friendly and helpful disposition, to provide a professional and effective support function to colleagues and other clients.
An active learning, innovative and problem-solving approach to job, with good organisation skills.
Proven ability to work independently and/or part of a team.
Ability to work to a detailed schedule and meet tight deadlines, database applications and keep a detailed log of work-related activities for reporting purposes.
Ability to prioritise and adapt according to circumstances.
Willingness to drive to meetings and site visits regularly.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, peers, and professional associations.

Please send your resume/CV