Deputy National Co-ordinator: Early Detection & Evaluation of Emerging Invasive Alien Species

SANBI is seeking to appoint a highly motivated individual to assist with the co-ordination of the Early Detection & Rapid Response programme, targeting emerging invasive alien plants. The position requires a biodiversity scientist cum project manager who can lead and co-ordinate a programme with several regional co-ordinators and a core staff spread across the country.

The successful candidate must be thoroughly familiar with invasive alien species, and demonstrate excellent people management skills, as well as the ability or potential to manage externally funded projects. The ability to develop and improve the structures and processes required to monitor, detect, and evaluate the risks associated with emerging invasive plants and water weeds, is essential. The appointee must also be able to work effectively with implementing agencies responsible for eradication of weeds.

Appointment requires possession of an MSc degree with 3 – 5 years’ post-qualification experience in managing biodiversity and environmental projects. Qualification and experience must be enhanced by the capacity to merge practical and research applications, as well as in-depth knowledge of Early Detection & Rapid Response programmes developed elsewhere in the world, particularly the USA, New Zealand and Australia.

Responsibilities include: • assisting with the leadership and co-ordination of a programme on Early Detection & Evaluation of Emerging Weeds • co-ordinating links to implementing agencies in order to facilitate rapid response actions • assisting in the management of a national and two or three regional co-ordination units • assisting in the management of the project budget and sponsor relationships • producing reports as required.

Please note that the successful candidate should have good leadership skills, and a good spoken and written command of English and another official language. Possession of a valid Code B driver’s licence with at least one year’s driving experience, is compulsory.

SANBI offers an all-inclusive annual salary package of R344 052.

Please Note: 1) Applications must be accompanied by a letter motivating
why the applicant should be favourably considered for the position. 2) A competency test will be conducted during the interview. 3) Applicants must submit three referee reports (based on a template available from webb@sanbi.org) as part of their application.

All applications will be considered with the understanding that, in terms of the SANBI Employment Equity Plan, preference will currently be given to candidates from the designated groups. Applications submitted by employment agencies will not be considered. SANBI reserves the right not to fill this position.

Candidates are expected to be available for selection interviews on a date and time as determined by SANBI. If no response has been received within 21 working days
of the closing date, candidates may assume that their applications were unsuccessful.

Contact Ms Glynnis Webb on 021 799 8635 or, preferably, forward a letter and concise CV, including the names and contact details of three referees, to recruitmentct@sanbi.org or fax 021 762 3229. Postal applications are to be addressed to the Deputy Director: Human Resources, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Private Bag X7, Claremont 7735.