Land Use Scientist; Level 10 - Landscape Conservation Intelligence Job George area,South Africa,Research/Development

Position: Land Use Scientist (Level 10) - Landscape Conservation Intelligence

Cape Nature seeks to appoint a professional, competent, innovative, and energetic candidate to its Land Use Scientist position based in George. The ideal candidate should have detailed knowledge of Western Cape ecosystems (including wetlands) and plant species, especially of Fynbos, Succulent Karoo and Subtropical Thicket, as well as well-developed interpersonal, communication and writing skills coupled with a high level of professionalism.

The role of the Land Use Scientist is to provide a professional scientific support service (to all relevant stakeholders), to promote biodiversity resilience, inform land use and development planning, environmental assessments and authorisations, natural resource management and other multi-sectoral planning processes; and deploy innovation to develop human and knowledge capital towards achieving the strategic objectives of Cape Nature.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

KRA 1:
Manage effective data, knowledge and information flow in order to produce quality data, information and intelligence to inform and facilitate strategic adaptive management.

Update landscape datasets for all priority projects.

Conduct or facilitate priority landscape monitoring of Critical Biodiversity Areas, threatened vegetation and other priority biodiversity areas.

Maintain and update Cape Nature’s Land Use Advice database, including spatial recording of development footprints.

Provide landscape feedback on tracking priority tasks relating to land use advice cases.

KRA 2:
Provide ecological decision support for effective landscape conservation and ensure sound scientific analysis of data through coordination to guide management planning and assessment
.

Provide inputs into WCPAES development;
Attend quarterly stewardship review committee meetings and provide inputs into protected area expansion projects.

Identify applications proactively or reactively that could contribute towards expanding the protected areas estate.

Write formal comments on development applications and engage with the relevant stakeholders.

KRA 3:
Facilitate and lead integrated landscape and protected area planning and review.

Contribute to the development of protected area management plans

Comment on all development proposals and event applications for Cape Nature-managed protected areas in accordance with relevant legislation.

Provide decision support to ensure that environmentally responsible development is conducted on protected areas in respect of biodiversity impacts and legislation.

KRA 4:
Build landscape intelligence knowledge and capacity and engage stakeholders and partners to support conservation management and ecosystem resilience through coordination and networking.

Maintain active landscape partnerships with inter alia municipalities, biosphere reserve partners, DEA&DP, academic institutes, specialists, and NGOs.

Contribute to the development and maintenance of MOUs with priority partners.

Develop or contribute to the development of biodiversity legislative tools such as BMP-s, BMP-e, spatial biodiversity plans, AIS management plans, biodiversity and other legislation, regulations and policies.

Attend, present and represent the landscape at events and on platforms relevant to land use and conservation planning, and contribute to the promotion of public awareness about healthy natural ecosystems, habitats, landscapes, and ecosystem services.

Provide and support capacity building interventions on conservation planning and/or land use.

KRA 5:
Assume accountability for ensuring performance, governance and risk management of Landscape Conservation Intelligence in the Landscape.

Identify and support the acquisition and maintenance of priority landscape monitoring equipment within the Landscape Conservation Intelligence (LCI) unit.

Complete annual performance agreement and participate in biannual performance appraisal by line manager.

Participate in LCI-related team meetings and contribute to strategic management decision making.

Actively engage with other landscape LCI units and Biodiversity Capabilities staff to ensure organisational consistency.

REQUIREMENTS:

A Natural Science MSc. Degree, plus 5 years relevant work experience, which meets the requirements for SACNASP registration as a Professional Scientist in the appropriate field of practice (Botanical Science, Ecological Science, Biological Science, Environmental Science).

Excellent botanical knowledge of Western Cape ecosystems and plant species, especially Fynbos, Succulent Karoo and Subtropical Thicket.

A good understanding of freshwater and coastal ecosystems in the Western Cape.

Detailed knowledge of applicable current environmental and land use legislation such as the National Environmental Management Act;
National Environmental Management:
Protected Areas Act;
National Environmental Management:
Biodiversity Act;
National Water Act;
Mining and Petroleum Resources Development Act.

A good working knowledge of the MS Office suite and full-featured GIS Packages (e.g. QGIS or ArcGIS, Cape Farm Mapper and…