Project Leader: Black RHino Range Expansion Project

**Job Advert Summary**:
(Three-year contract position with potential for extension)

WWF is the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisation, with over 6 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans 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.

WWF South Africa is a national office that is part of the WWF global network. While part of a thriving international community we are a local NGO that has worked in South Africa for over 50 years. We take our direction from people and nature in the places where we work in South Africa and from priority environmental challenges we seek to address. The socio-economic legacy of our political past compels us to simultaneously achieve a socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable future.

**The Black Rhino Range Expansion Project**

The Black Rhino Range Expansion Project (BRREP) is widely recognized as a leading species conservation project of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) network. The BRREP was initiated in 2003 by WWF South Africa and Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife (EKZNW) and later joined by Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA). The project aims to enhance the long-term persistence of the Critically endangered south-central sub-species of black rhino (Diceros bicornis minor) throughout its former range by strategically translocating founder animals from donor sites to new recipient BRREP sites. Over the last twenty years and in the face of increasing rhino poaching pressure, the BRREP has successfully created fifteen new black rhino populations throughout south-eastern South Africa and more recently in Malawi. The combined BRREP donor and recipient sites held over one-third of the continental D.b. minor population at end 2021.

Over the past decades, the impacts of increased poaching pressure and rhino protection costs, decreased market value for rhinos, greater investment required when preparing suitable sites with partners and reduced incentives for rhino ownership in South Africa continue to change the context in which the BRREP operates and hence the future strategic approaches to balancing protection, metapopulation management and range expansion. The BRREP further links to broader activities within the WWF South Africa Wildlife Portfolio and Environmental Programmes Unit integrating activities relating to developing community relationships around protected areas and identifying sustainable financing mechanisms.

**Background**

Our work environment is both challenging and exciting and we love what we do. To join our team, you need to be exceptional, passionate, results-orientated and have a positive attitude.

Specific responsibilities will include:
**Minimum Requirements**:

- Tertiary qualification (preferably postgraduate) in wildlife management, nature conservation, biological sciences or related discipline.
- Demonstrated understanding of field-based wildlife conservation / translocation projects and protected area management based on at least 10 years of experience.
- Strong technical knowledge of biodiversity conservation science, wildlife population management and threatened species recovery with understanding of black rhino highly advantageous.
- Technical understanding and expertise in the capture and transport of wildlife with an understanding of rhinos highly advantageous.
- Working knowledge of the South African wildlife conservation sector, with proven exposure and networks within government, private and civil society partnerships.
- Proven ability in partnerships with community-led biodiversity conservation initiatives.
- Experience in implementing relevant provincial, national and international policies and regulations relating to wildlife management, with exposure to policy development being advantageous.
- Strong project management skills, including understanding of financial management and budgeting with proven experience in managing projects across different disciplines and cultural backgrounds.
- Expertise in developing fundraising proposals and managing relationships with donors would be beneficial.
- Articulate and confident oral communication and excellent writing skills in English plus one other South African language.
- Strong interpersonal skills, ability to build and sustain productive partnerships.
- A valid driver’s license and experience in driving 4x4 off-road.
- Ability to undertake extensive travel to project sites is essential for this position.
- Non-South African citizens will require a valid work permit.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- **Provide technical leadership to WWF’s Black Rhino Range Expansion Programme**:

- Provide strategic, technical and operational