Landscape Unit Manager (Level 11) - Witzenberg Landscape Unit, Paarl Office

CapeNature; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

CapeNature seeks a Landscape Unit Manager to lead conservation efforts in the Witzenberg area, ensuring effective management of protected landscapes. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills, with a focus on enhancing biodiversity and community involvement. This role offers the opportunity to significantly impact conservation outcomes while enjoying benefits such as career development, comprehensive leave, and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

24 days of annual leave

Pension Fund benefits

50% discount on accommodation

Access to wellness programs

Qualifications

• 3-5 years management experience in Nature Conservation or related field.
• Ability to communicate in at least two Western Cape languages.
• Valid Code B driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations management of the Witzenberg Landscape Unit.
• Enhance biodiversity resilience through conservation initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with biodiversity laws and governance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Community engagement

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Nature/Environmental Conservation or Management

Master's Degree in Natural Sciences or Environmental Management

Tools

GIS Software

MS Office Suite

Job description

CapeNature seeks to appoint an energetic, dynamic, professional candidate to join a team of landscape unit managers in the Conservation Operations Directorate’s Central Landscape. The ideal candidate should have exceptional interpersonal and communication skills coupled with the ability to analyse complex issues, identify potential solutions, and implement effective strategies and ensure operations are successfully executed.

CapeNature practices a landscape approach to nature conservation in the Western Cape Province whereby protected areas are integrated into the landscape. Community outreach, education and awareness; and stakeholder engagement are multi-sectoral and contribute to positive conservation outcomes. Landscape Unit Managers ensure that protected areas are effectively managed and enable beneficial access to protected areas and their natural, cultural and historic assets. Landscape Unit Managers mitigate risk and practice good governance and ensure that wildlife regulation mitigates risk to biodiversity and promotes voluntary compliance.

The successful candidate will provide leadership, oversight and operations management of the Witzenberg Landscape Unit inclusive of the Waterval, Limietberg and Hexriver Nature Reserve Complexes. The successful candidate will report to the Landscape Manager : Central.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

Enhance biodiversity resilience through targeted ecosystem conservation and restoration initiatives

• Targeted conservation and restoration initiatives and interventions informed by knowledge and management best practice are implemented.
• Protected areas are managed according to a management plan and prioritized action plans.
• Priority landscapes are protected, restored and conserved.
• Conservation operations are optimised through planned actions and interventions towards effective management, plans informed by management effectiveness assessments (using the METT), among others.
• Priority ecological infrastructure areas are restored and protected.

Lead and manage landscape conservation and stewardship in ways that address biodiversity loss.

• Biodiversity legal mandate is implemented through compliance and enforcement actions.
• Protected area expansion planning and associated conservation intelligence priorities are implemented.
• Actions to improve the conservation status of priority species and ecosystems are implemented.
• Functional partnerships addressing biodiversity loss are developed and maintained.
• Landscape ecological and human well-being is promoted through a landscape environmental interpretation and awareness plan.

Promote the biodiversity economy, and enhance biodiversity access and sustainable use

• Job opportunities are created through implementation of environmental programmes such as the Expanded Public Works Programme.
• Contractor development and work opportunities are enhanced through environmental programmes implemented (Integrated Catchment Management, Expanded Public Works).
• Sustainable harvesting of natural products is facilitated, where permitted.
• Biodiversity economy activities are implemented in identified nodes.
• Livelihood support is established for local communities.

Lead and manage conservation action in the Landscape Unit to advocate for behavioural change and promote voluntary compliance.

• Local community involvement in protected area management is established.
• Stakeholder engagement is enhanced through targeted interventions.
• Public Private Partnerships are maintained.
• Compliance plans for all On and Off Reserve components are in place and implemented.
• Biodiversity permits are issued within legislated time frames.

Assume overall accountability for ensuring performance, governance and risk management

• An enabling environment is created for formal partnerships to mitigate risks to biodiversity.
• Management structures are in place and infrastructure is fit for purpose.
• All relevant Occupational Health and Safety legislation, policies and standards are in place and adhered to.
• Landscape governance is enhanced by adherence to corporate policies and standards.
• Landscape performance is enhanced through effective and efficient staff performance.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS :

• A Bachelors’ Degree or equivalent NQF Level 7 qualification within the field of Nature / Environmental Conservation and / or Management, a post-graduate qualification would be advantageous.
• 3-5 Years’ management experience in the field of Nature Conservation, Environmental Management, Disaster Management and / or related discipline.
• Demonstrable training, skills and / or relevant experience in project management.
• Ability to communicate effectively in at least two of the official Western Cape languages at all levels, both verbally and in writing.
• No criminal record.
• In possession of a valid Code B (unendorsed) driver’s license with own vehicle and willingness to travel regularly and extensively.
• ICS 100 and 200.

RECOMMENDATIONS :

• Master’s Degree in Natural Sciences and / or Environmental Management will be advantageous.
• Experience in world heritage site management and disaster / incident preparedness / response / management.
• Knowledge and experience of applicable conservation and other legislation, including human resource management, labour relations and occupational health and safety, and the implementation thereof.
• Proficient in GIS Software Package / s (e.g., QGIS).
• Demonstrable strong leadership skills, strategic vision and a demonstrated ability to lead a team at Senior Management level.
• Demonstrable experience with human capital management, capacity building, and financial, procurement and asset management.
• Good knowledge of the functioning of ecological processes, conservation and natural resource management, and a proven track record of managing protected and / or conserved areas at landscape level.
• Good computer literacy, electronic communication competency and a good working knowledge of the MS Office suite of software.
• Excellent organisational skills, as well as analytical, conceptual and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work in stressful situations, regularly work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Physical fitness to perform duties and inspections in field.
• Competency in conflict management.
• Understanding of environmental legislation.

AS A PERMANENT 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 :

Only suitable candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered.

CapeNature reserves the right not to make an appointment or to re-advertise a post should it be deemed necessary within its sole discretion.

• Remuneration package may be negotiable within the salary range provided, depending on current remuneration package.

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.

The successful candidate will be based at the Central Regional Office in Paarl.

To apply please visit the careers page on the CapeNature Website.

• Please note, candidates will be required to do a 10-minute presentation before the interview. Details of the presentation will be sent to successfully shortlisted candidates.