Ecological Coordinator

The purpose of the Ecological Coordinator position within CapeNature is to facilitate and coordinate

the collection and interpretation of biodiversity related data. This contributes to informing terrestrial

and marine biodiversity management planning and decision making through processes such as

State of Biodiversity, Protected Area Management Plans (PAMP), the Management Effectiveness

Tracking Tool (METT) and priority species monitoring in Landscape South.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**Manage effective data, knowledge and information flow in order to produce quality data,**
**information and intelligence to inform and facilitate strategic adaptive management.**
- Maintain and updated landscape databases for all priority projects.
- Conduct, facilitate & drive landscape monitoring.
- Quality check, verify and submit biodiversity data.
- Provide landscape feedback on tracking priority tasks.
- Develop, review and update ecological monitoring and data collection protocols.
- Provide ecological technical assistance and training.
- Manage ecological filing systems and databases.

**Provide ecological decision support for effective landscape conservation and ensure sound**
**scientific analysis of data through coordination to guide management planning and**
**assessment.**
- Contribute to the implementation of scientifically based monitoring programs and strategies for identified elements of biodiversity in and around landscape protected areas.
- Provide ecological decision support to internal components and relevant external partners.
- Check that data for approved ecological projects is processed and analyzed in collaboration.
- Where relevant, assistance with all components of fieldwork for priority species monitoring projects.
- Compile in collaboration Standard Operating Procedures, Standard Operating Guidelines, & ecological monitoring protocols.

**Facilitate and lead integrated landscape and protected area planning and review**
- Play a pivotal role in the PAMP process in the landscape
- Ensure that ecological matrices are compiled for all Landscape reserves and components.
- Ensure that ecological matrices are regularly reviewed for all Landscape reserves and components and assist with compilation of related reports.
- Contribute to ensure that Protected Area Annual Plan of Operations and ecological matrices are aligned through integrated planning.
- Contribute to the integration of the eco-matrix into the reserve Integrated Work Plans
- Review and contribute to relevant ecological internal policies, guidelines, manuals and operating procedures regulating the management of biodiversity.
- Contribute to the METT assessment process for protected areas.
- Incorporate METT outcomes into the eco-matrix where relevant.

**Build landscape intelligence knowledge and capacity and engage stakeholders and partners**
**to support conservation management and ecosystem resilience through coordination and**
**networking**
- Coordinate landscape ecological meetings in conjunction with the Landscape Conservation Intelligence unit.
- Support relevant internal and external research projects.
- Participate in scientific workshops and conferences.
- Contribute to the custodianship agreement process for priority species.
- Identify priority ecological projects that require intervention by providing infield training for priority monitoring projects in the Landscape.
- Attend and participate in relevant meetings, forums, symposiums & peer learning events.

**MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS**:

- An appropriate tertiary qualification in ecology and/or nature conservation (NQF level 7)
- and at least 5 years of relevant experience.
- A thorough understanding of ecological theory, ecological processes and components of
- biodiversity.
- Extensive experience conducting a range of fauna and flora fieldwork preferably in the
- Western Cape as well as the associated data processing and analysis.
- Must be able to turn data into information and document this in reports etc. to inform
- conservation management.
- Ability to motivate and mentor staff to ensure maximum productivity and optimal
- development skills.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and interface with a wide range of people
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and independently.
- Physically and mentally fit and willing and able to undertake strenuous fieldwork under
- varying climatic and terrain conditions.
- Prepared to travel extensively and be away from home for periods of time.
- Must have a valid driver’s license, be competent driving long distances and 4x4 vehicles.
- Proficiency in two of the three official languages of the Western Cape and high competency
- in English writing.
- High competency in the use of Microsoft Office suite.
- An excellent working knowledge of GIS.
- No criminal record.

**RECOMMENDATIONS**
- Knowledge of the Fynbos, Succulent Karoo & Marine biomes, and associated priority
- species of the Western Cape