Landscape Unit Manager - Garden Route

About the role

CapeNature is looking for an energetic, dynamic and professional Landscape Unit Manager to join its Conservation Operations Directorate's East Landscape team. The successful candidate will lead, oversee and manage operations of the Garden Route Landscape Unit and report to the Landscape Manager: East. The role covers protected area management, biodiversity conservation, stakeholder engagement and governance.

Key responsibilities

• Implement biodiversity and conservation policy and systems, including targeted ecosystem conservation, restoration and protected area management
• Manage priority landscapes, ecological infrastructure and strategic water source areas, and restore and protect them
• Lead landscape conservation and stewardship to address biodiversity loss in key biodiversity areas, and implement conservation action for priority species and ecosystems
• Develop and maintain functional partnerships, and implement biodiversity legal mandates through compliance and enforcement
• Promote the biodiversity economy, sustainable use of biodiversity and sustainable harvesting for subsistence livelihoods
• Create local community involvement in protected area management and promote voluntary compliance through interpretation, awareness and capacity-building initiatives
• Approve and implement compliance plans for all landscapes and on- and off-reserve components
• Ensure performance, governance, risk management and equality, and maintain OHS legislation, policies and standards

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent NQF Level 7 qualification in nature/environmental conservation and/or management; postgraduate qualification advantageous
• At least five years of middle management experience in the conservation sector
• Proven track record managing protected areas at landscape level, and knowledge of applicable conservation and other legislation
• Demonstrable project management, human capital management, capacity building, financial, procurement and asset management experience
• Valid Code B (unendorsed) driver's licence with own vehicle and willingness to travel regularly
• ICS 100 and 200

Required skills

• Effective communication in at least two Western Cape official languages, verbal and written
• Good computer literacy and working knowledge of MS Office
• Leadership skills, analytical and problem-solving abilities, and ability to work under pressure
• Advantageous: postgraduate degree in natural sciences or environmental management, GIS software (e.g. QGIS), world heritage site management and disaster/incident preparedness experience