JOB ADVERTISEMENT
PROGRAMME MANAGER: LAND PROGRAMME ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES UNIT
(3 Years Fixed Term Contract position based in Newlands, Cape Town) WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected conservation organizations, with almost 6 million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which we all live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Our work is challenging and exciting and we love what we do. To join our team you need to be brilliant at what you do, passionate, results-orientated and have a positive attitude. Background: WWF-SA invites applications for the position of Land Programme Manager to support the work of the Land and Biodiversity Stewardship Programme. The Land Programme aims to: - Enable the conservation of South Africa’s natural assets in priority landscapes through appropriate and innovative protected area expansion mechanisms (such as land purchase, stewardship, biodiversity compatible management and formal declaration) - Focus the protected area expansion efforts of WWF-SA in priority landscapes ensuring alignment with the National Protected Area Expansion Strategy, Provincial Conservation Priorities and other relevant spatial products and strategies - Explore a socially inclusive approach to WWF’s Protected Area expansion (through initiatives such as Land Reform and Biodiversity Stewardship, holistic biodiversity friendly management, biodiversity management lease arrangements and other cooperative conservation models) Responsibilities: The Manager will implement the strategy and approach of the WWF Land Programme. They would also be expected to provide input into fundraising proposals, input technical and strategic advice into land negotiation or purchase activities for WWF or the associated trusts, and engage with government policy processes. The programme is expected to pilot new financing and implementation models for land purchase and management and anchor WWF liaison with local and international conservation partners in Land Trust activities.
More specifically the Land Programme Manager will be required to: 1. Implement the Land Programme strategy for aligning the land protection activities of WWF and the associated Trusts 2. Engage to secure policy and regulatory gains beneficial to WWF and other biodiversity-friendly land owners 3. Guide WWF's Land Purchase & Stewardship activities in the Fynbos Succulent Karoo 4. Lead institutional liaison with land management partners, predominantly statutory conservation agencies 5. Test and roll out innovative mechanisms and models, such as incentives for stewardship, conservation servitudes, and private models (secured through legal arrangements) for protecting land 6. Coordinate with community conservation and land reform processes, corporate and international partners to find synergies for the programme 7. Staff management of the Land Programme team 8. Advance the Fynbos Land Fund & fundraise for other under-resourced areas 9. Develop and implement a conservation audit system for the property portfolio 10. Implement and manage all WWF Land Programme Finance and Governance 11. Oversee implementation of Media strategy for Land Programme Requirements:
Relevant Post Graduate conservation degree/qualification; Minimum of 5 years’ management experience in Protected Area Management, Environmental or Biodiversity Management, Biophysical Research sectors; Knowledge and understanding of the South African environmental sector, role players and respective mandates; specifically the South Africa’s Protected Areas Network and Stewardship Programmes Excellent administrative and project management skills and experience; Independent thinking and working capabilities as well as the ability to engage across organisation and hierarchical levels; Understanding of the South African Environmental Legislative Framework Demonstrated staff management skills Excellent presentation, interpersonal and communication, skills. Computer literate - in word processing (MS Word), spread sheets (Excel), email and presentations (MS PowerPoint) including working knowledge of GIS Valid driver’s license
Further Information: To apply for the position, please click here and create or update your profile. Under the “Documents” section of your profile, attach a detailed CV with a covering letter under the “Documents” section of your profile, fully motivating why you should be appointed. Please make sure you upload your CV and cover letter as one document (pdf/doc). Make sure you have names, current e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of three relevant references on your CV Applications close on 31st March 2016 emailed application will not be considered. WWF seeks to promote diversity among its staff. Candidates who have not received a response within three weeks of the closing date are kindly requested to assume that their application has not been successful in this instance. WWF-SA reserves the right not to fill this position.