Ecological Coordinator

About the role

CapeNature is looking for a professional, competent, innovative and energetic Ecological Coordinator to join its Walker Bay Office in Hermanus. The role coordinates the collection, quality assurance, interpretation and application of biodiversity data across Landscape South, supporting terrestrial and marine biodiversity management, planning and decision-making through State of Biodiversity reporting, Protected Area Management Plans (PAMPs), the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) and priority-species monitoring. It involves extensive travel throughout the Overberg and Langeberg regions.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the flow of data, knowledge and information to support strategic adaptive management
• Maintain and update landscape databases and manage ecological filing systems
• Conduct, facilitate and drive landscape monitoring; develop, review and update monitoring protocols
• Quality check, verify and submit biodiversity data, and provide landscape feedback on priority tasks
• Provide ecological technical assistance, training and decision support to internal units and external partners
• Contribute to monitoring programs, PAMPs, the METT assessment and the compilation and review of ecological matrices for reserves
• Support game management plan applications, compile SOPs and monitoring protocols, and help with fieldwork for priority species
• Build landscape intelligence, coordinate ecological meetings with the Landscape Conservation Intelligence unit, and support research projects and stakeholder engagement

Required profile

• Tertiary qualification in ecology and/or nature conservation (NQF level 7) and at least 5 years of relevant experience
• Extensive experience in fauna and flora fieldwork, preferably in the Western Cape, with data processing and analysis
• Ability to turn data into information and report it for conservation management
• Valid driver's licence, able to drive long distances and 4x4 vehicles
• Proficiency in two of the three official Western Cape languages and high English writing
• Willingness to travel extensively and to do strenuous fieldwork under varying conditions
• No criminal record

Required skills

• Excellent working knowledge of GIS
• High competency in Microsoft Office
• Interpretation of conservation policies, protocols and legislation
• Preferred: knowledge of the Fynbos, Succulent Karoo and Marine biomes and their priority species