Job Description

CapeNature seeks to appoint a dynamic individual to provide a professional Conservation Planning and GIS support service. The Conservation Planner Technologist forms part of the Biodiversity Intelligence team and will be primarily focussed on the revision and development of the Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan, whilst also providing GIS support to the Biodiversity Capabilities Directorate.

The purpose of the Conservation Planner Technologist post is to aid in the revision of the Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan; generate and manage science-based knowledge; contribute to planning and data management; generate efficiencies through the creation, maintenance and reporting on spatial datasets; develop and maintain collaborations and partnerships to augment capacity and capability to deliver an advanced GIS-based conservation service; and to contribute to the development of human and knowledge capital towards achieving the strategic objectives of CapeNature.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

KRA 1: Manage, develop and integrate knowledge, planning, and monitoring systems.

Update and refine the spatial informants required to inform the five-yearly revision of the Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan.
Provide competent, advanced technical support to the GIS/spatial data and information management service.
Contribute revision and updating of the spatial informants associated with the revision of the five-yearly Western Cape Protected Areas Expansion Strategy.
Contribute to the work required to publish a five-yearly Western Cape State of Biodiversity Report and an annual Western Cape State of Conservation Reports.

KRA 2: Manage, develop and integrate legislation, policies, strategies and systems.

Best available science embedded into policies, procedures, protocols, strategies and plans, including:
Western Cape Biodiversity Legislation
CapeNature Policies.
Biodiversity Governance Position Statements.
Ensure current and accurate Biodiversity Spatial Planning information informs Biodiversity and Environmental Legislation.

KRA 3: Generate impact through the enablement, development and integration of leading-edge technologies, practice, policy, science, and innovation.

Assist with the implementation of an effective web-based integrated conservation and biodiversity data management system and secure management, sharing of, and access to biodiversity data and information with and from strategic partners, biodiversity research entities and other biodiversity institutions (locally, nationally, and globally) for CapeNature.
Contribute to leading edge, professional, formal scientific research (internally and externally), scientific and technical reports, memoranda, assessments and publications, peer reviewed scientific publications, presentations and reports, and presentations at appropriate National / International Biodiversity Conservation Conferences to advance the practice of biodiversity conservation.
Contribute to biodiversity conservation mainstreaming products interventions and engagements

KRA 4: Manage, engage and collaborate with strategic partners and fora.

Represent CapeNature’s mandate and interests on Committees, Forums, Working Groups and Meetings deemed relevant.

KRA 5: Manage, develop and deploy biodiversity capability and capacity.

Provide scientific and technical decision support to internal and external stakeholders.
Contribute to and deliver stakeholder capacity building and awareness about healthy natural ecosystems, habitats and landscapes, and ecosystem services.
Mainstream optimal procedures, practices and processes for effective biodiversity monitoring and surveillance.
Contribute to the updating of Standard Operating Protocols and Guidelines.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A Natural Science degree in the field of Geomatics, Environmental Management, Conservation Science, Ecological Science, Biological Science or Zoological Science (NQF 7);
Geomatics Technologist certification (Candidate or higher) with South African Geomatics Council.
Three years (3) post qualification experience in an environmental GISc or conservation planning.
Have good working knowledge of Spatial Analyst or equivalent (Grid or Raster formats). Applicants are required to upload an example of a completed project using these tools.
Valid driver’s license.
No criminal record.

COMPETENCIES

Excellent Geographical Information Systems knowledge and expertise including demonstrable working knowledge of ArcGIS and/or Quantum GIS (QGIS) software. Applicants are required to upload an example of a completed project or product in which they contributed.
Demonstrable knowledge of digitising and data manipulation and curation procedures for GIS.
Knowledge of the principles, techniques and applications of GIS spatial database management and quality control for data.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Application of GIS in environmental management and/or monitoring and research.
Demonstratable knowledge in conservation planning as it pertains to protected area planning, habitat connectivity, species distribution modelling and viability, planning process integration, threats and climate change. Applicants are required to upload a self-authored report/thesis/publication.
Advanced problem solving, analytical, strategic, and critical thinking skills.
Candidates may be required to undertake a competency assessment to demonstrate proficiency using GIS.
Excellent formal report and scientific writing skills in English. Applicants are required to upload a self-authored report/thesis/publication.

RECOMMENDATIONS

More than three years (3) post qualification relevant experience in a GISc or conservation planning.
Knowledge of cloud-based GIS systems and technologies.
Proficiency in at least two of the three official languages of the Western Cape.
South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) accreditation.

Please send your resume/CV