Assistant Director : Policy and Compliance

South African National Biodiversity Institute; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 50,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental organization in Cape Town is seeking an Assistant Director: Policy and Compliance to support climate change adaptation projects. The successful candidate will have a degree in Public Administration or Law, extensive experience in project management, and strong stakeholder engagement skills. This role offers a salary of R582,444.00 annually, plus benefits, and requires a willingness to travel.

Qualifications

• 6 years of work experience in the relevant field, including 3 years at supervisory level.
• Familiarity with South African regulatory environment for Environmental and Social Safeguards.
• Valid driver’s license with at least one year’s practical driving experience.

Responsibilities

• Support Adaptation Policy and Resourcing Division governance.
• Ensure compliance with donor policies and contract conditions.
• Provide legal advisory support to APR Division.

Skills

Project management skills

Stakeholder engagement

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Public Administration, Law or equivalent

Postgraduate qualification in related fields

Tools

MS Word

MS Project

Excel

Job description

Assistant Director: Policy and Compliance

SANBI offers basic annual salary of R582 444.00 plus 37% in lieu of benefits

Reference Number: APR/2025/002

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is leading the implementation of a project entitled “Scaling up Ecosystem-based Approaches to managing climate-intensified disaster risks in vulnerable regions of South Africa” (the Eco-DRR project). The USD 40.1 million project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), with cofinancing from SANBI, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), for a period of 8 years from 2025 to 2033. The goal of the project is to improve the resilience of communities that are vulnerable to climate change-exacerbated floods, droughts and wildfires through the implementation of Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Eco-Disaster Risk Reduction measures. SANBI is looking for a self-motivated individual to provide a policy support and compliance function to SANBI, in its capacity as an Accredited Entity of the GCF and Adaptation Fund.

This position requires a degree in Public Administration, Law or equivalent qualification with NQF 7. A postgraduate qualification in Public Administration, Law or equivalent qualification with 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: well-developed project management and grant management skills; keen interest in Climate Change Adaptation and environmental/developmental issues, and passion for making a difference in vulnerable communities; flexibility and reliability; familiarity with South African regulatory environment for tracking Environmental and Social Safeguards policy implementation; extensive knowledge and understanding of project management techniques, tools, methodologies; and frameworks; comprehensive knowledge and understanding of public sector policies including Human Resources Management, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology Management and Corporate Governance is essential; being highly organised and efficient; a clear-thinker able to solve problems and see all sides of a situation; ability to manage high pressure and be able to juggle with multiple stakeholders each with their own challenges whilst multi skilling across multi projects simultaneously; demonstrate outstanding stakeholder engagement and relationships management; attention to detail in dealing with budgeting, financial management, and reporting; systemic visualisation of various projects entailing a programme, advanced planning, organizing, problem solving skills; proven ability to perform monitoring & evaluation of multi projects; proven ability to work under pressure with diverse team while being quality, cost, compliance, and safety conscious; extensive knowledge and experience in working with legislation, policies, procedures, processes, practices, systems, and frameworks related to project management, donor funding, and stakeholder management; excellent communication skills at all levels (both verbal and written); excellent computer literacy and experience in the application of software tools including (Ms Word, MS Project, PowerPoint, Excel, Internet and Outlook). The possession of a valid driver’s licence with at least one-year practical driving experience and a willingness to travel is essential.

Key performance responsibilities include:

• Support Adaptation Policy and Resourcing (APR) Division governance and reporting processes and ensure implementation of decisions;
• Support APR Division’s annual maintenance of accreditation status with GCF and Adaptation Fund;
• Support SANBI processes to fulfil compliance with donor policies and contract conditions;
• Provide APR Division with policy and legal advisory support function; and
• Facilitate human capital development, change and transformation.

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Please Note:

1. Only online applications will be accepted accompanied by a CV together with a letter motivating why the applicant should be favourably considered for this position, and certified qualifications confirming that the minimum qualifications are met (applicants lacking evidence of meeting minimum qualifications and relevant experience will not be considered).
2. A skills test will be conducted as part of the selection process.
3. Applicants must also provide the full names, addresses and telephone numbers and if possible e-mail addresses of at least three referees.
4. Failure to submit the requested information and reference number shall result in your application not being considered.

Personal Information will be processed by SANBI for purposes of assessing your suitability for the advertised position. SANBI may also share your personal information including special personal information with service providers or third parties, both within the Republic of South Africa and in other jurisdictions, to carry out verification of qualifications and other necessary documents, background and reference checks, competency assessment tests, and criminal record checks. In this regard, by virtue of your application, you acknowledge that SANBI’s authorized verification agent(s) and service providers will access your personal information including special personal information to conduct background screening, verification of qualifications and other necessary documents, reference checks, competency assessment tests, and criminal record checks. For more information, kindly refer to SANBI’s website.

Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. SANBI reserves the right not to fill this position. All applications will be considered with the understanding that, in terms of the SANBI Employment Equity Plan, preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups.

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