Manager: Environmental Assessment & Land-Use Planning

This management position calls for a highly motivated, innovative and experienced professional who will be reporting to the Director: Biodiversity Planning & Mainstreaming.

As a strategic leader with the necessary skills, the appointee will ideally have a postgraduate degree in Management or Natural Sciences, or an equivalent qualification, enhanced by at least ten years’ professional experience in the field, three of which at management level. Familiarity with systematic conservation planning products and good working knowledge of key institutions in the sector are of prime importance.

Reporting initially to the Director, the successful candidate’s key responsibilities will involve:
• supporting policy and legislative development in the planning and environmental assessment fields • facilitating and supporting the development of a national biodiversity offset policy framework • engaging with key stakeholders and developing a working relationship with the Department of Provincial & Local Government • developing and promoting materials and other tools to support the integration of biodiversity in environmental assessment and land-use planning • ensuring that SANBI’s biodiversity information services (e.g. BGIS and SIBIS) meet the needs of environmental assessment and planning practitioners • providing strategic guidance and supervision for pilot municipal capacity building projects undertaken by SANBI and partner organisations • developing guidelines on the incorporation of spatial biodiversity priorities in spatial development frameworks • hosting workshops and forums to disseminate tools and provide opportunities for knowledge sharing.

In addition, appointment requires excellent communication skills, coupled with a good spoken and written command of English, as well as proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). As the incumbent will be required to travel extensively, a valid Code B driver’s licence with one year’s driving experience is essential.

SANBI offers an all-inclusive salary package of R407 745 per annum.

Please Note: 1) Applications must be accompanied by a letter motivating why the applicant should be favourably considered for the position and confirming that the minimum qualifications are met. 2) A competency test may be conducted as part of the selection process.

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 these positions.

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 days of the closing date, candidates may assume that their applications were unsuccessful.

Enquiries: Ms Emmy Tsienyane on 012 843 5217 or at tsienyane@sanbi.org.
To apply, contact Ms Wendy Manwatha on 012 843 5229 or, preferably, forward a letter and concise CV via e-mail to recruitmentpta@sanbi.org or fax 012 843 5263. Postal applications are to be addressed to the Deputy Director, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Private Bag X101, Pretoria 0001.