Ecological Coordinator (Level 9), Walkerbay Bay Office, Hermanus

CapeNature; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24 days annual leave

Staff discounts on CapeNature accom.

Wellness partner access

Job summary

CapeNature seeks an Ecological Coordinator based at the Walker Bay Office in Hermanus to lead data collection, interpretation and application for biodiversity management across Landscape South. The role covers terrestrial and marine biodiversity, including METT and PAMP processes, with extensive regional travel.

Responsibilities include data quality, landscape monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and contributing to planning and reporting to support conservation outcomes.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in ecology or nature conservation (NQF level 7) with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Understanding of ecological theory and biodiversity components.
• Extensive fauna/flora fieldwork in Western Cape with data processing/analysis.
• Ability to turn data into information and reports for conservation management.
• Ability to mentor personnel and drive productivity.

Responsibilities

• Manage data flow to produce quality data and intelligence for adaptive management.
• Maintain landscape databases for priority projects.
• Conduct landscape monitoring and quality-check biodiversity data.
• Provide ecological decision support for landscape conservation planning.
• Lead integrated landscape and protected area planning and review.
• Coordinate meetings and engage stakeholders for conservation initiatives.
• Support research projects and fieldwork for priority species monitoring.

Skills

Ecology knowledge

GIS

MS Office

Data analysis

Communication

Driving license

Education

Ecology/Nature conservation degree

Tools

GIS software

MS Office

Job description

CapeNature seeks to appoint a professional, competent, innovative and energetic candidate to fill the position of Ecological Coordinator, based at the Walker Bay Office in Hermanus.

The successful candidate will facilitate and coordinate the collection, quality assurance, interpretation and application of biodiversity-related data across Landscape South. The position supports terrestrial and marine biodiversity management, planning and informed decision-making through key processes, including State of Biodiversity reporting, Protected Area Management Plans (PAMPs), the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) and priority-species monitoring. The position requires extensive travel throughout the Overberg and Langeberg regions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

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

• Maintain and update landscape databases for all priority projects.
• Conduct, facilitate & drive landscape monitoring.
• Quality check, verify and submit biodiversity data.
• Provide landscape feedback on tracking priority tasks.
• Develop, review and update ecological monitoring and data collection protocols.
• Provide ecological technical assistance and training.
• Manage ecological filing systems and databases.

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

• Contribute to the implementation of scientifically based monitoring programs and strategies for identified elements of biodiversity in and around landscape protected areas.
• Provide ecological decision support to internal components and relevant external partners.
• Check that data for approved ecological projects is processed and analyzed in collaboration.
• Where relevant, assistance with all components of fieldwork for priority species monitoring projects.
• Provide inputs into landscape Game Management Plan applications when required
• Compile in collaboration Standard Operating Procedures, Standard Operating Guidelines, & ecological monitoring protocols.

Facilitate and lead integrated landscape and protected area planning and review

• Play a pivotal role in the PAMP process (development, implementation and evaluation) in the landscape
• Ensure that ecological matrices are compiled for all Landscape reserves and components.
• Ensure that ecological matrices are regularly reviewed for all Landscape reserves and components and assist with compilation of related reports.
• Contribute to ensuring that Protected Area Annual Plan of Operations and ecological matrices are aligned through integrated planning.
• Contribute to the integration of the eco-matrix into the reserve Integrated Work Plans
• Review and contribute to relevant ecological internal policies, guidelines, manuals and operating procedures regulating the management of biodiversity.
• Contribute to the METT assessment process for protected areas.
• Incorporate METT outcomes into the eco-matrix where relevant.

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

• Coordinate landscape ecological meetings in conjunction with the Landscape Conservation Intelligence unit.
• Support relevant internal and external research projects.
• Participate in scientific workshops and conferences.
• Contribute to the custodianship agreement process for priority species.
• Identify priority ecological projects that require intervention by providing infield training for priority monitoring projects in the Landscape.
• Attend and participate in relevant meetings, forums, symposiums & peer learning events.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• An appropriate tertiary qualification in ecology and/or nature conservation (NQF level 7) and at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• A thorough understanding of ecological theory, ecological processes and components of biodiversity.
• Extensive experience conducting a range of fauna and flora fieldwork preferably in the Western Cape as well as the associated data processing and analysis.
• Must be able to turn data into information and document this in reports etc. to inform conservation management.
• Ability to motivate and mentor personnel to ensure maximum productivity and optimal development skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and interface with a wide range of people
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and independently.
• Physically and mentally fit and willing and able to undertake strenuous fieldwork under varying climatic and terrain conditions.
• Prepared to travel extensively and be away from home from time to time.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, be competent in driving long distances and 4x4 vehicles.
• Proficiency in two of the three official languages of the Western Cape and high competency in English writing.
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver on outputs to the desired standard within the associated timeframes,
• High competency in the use of Microsoft Office suite.
• An excellent working knowledge of GIS.
• No criminal record.

RECOMMENDATION

• Knowledge of the Fynbos, Succulent Karoo & Marine biomes, and associated priority species of the Western Cape.
• Enjoy working with data!
• Knowledge of and the ability to interpret conservation policies, protocols and legislation.
• Ability to follow and replicate systems and instructions.
• A confident, committed, service-orientated, organized, and innovative predisposition.
• Ability to solve problems, prioritize and cope with dynamic circumstances.
• Excellent multi-tasking skills and ease of adaptability to change.
• Calm demeanor with an ability to handle stress.
• A flexible, understanding, team player, that is always willing to assist the LCI unit complete tasks (within skillset and ability).

AS AN EMPLOYEE OF CAPENATURE, YOU WILL ENJOY:

• 24 days of annual leave per annual leave cycle.
• Comprehensive benefits for death, critical illness or injury linked to the Pension Fund for CapeNature employees.
• Staff discounts of up to 50% on CapeNature accommodation at reserves across the Western Cape.
• Opportunities for career progression and development through internal and external training interventions, and academic growth through the internal CapeNature Bursary Programme subject to Bursary Policy guidelines.
• Free access to CapeNature’s Wellness Partner for you and your immediate household which includes professional counselling, financial, legal and health related advice; and
• The opportunity to positively impact the environment and promote a sustainable future.

GENERAL:

Kindly note that it is compulsory to become a member of the CapeNature Pension Fund. If you are an existing member to a Medical Aid you are required to provide a copy of such membership before the commencement of your employment with CapeNature.

* Remuneration negotiable within the range provided, depending on current remuneration package.”