Integrated Catchment Specialist

This position is suited to a dedicated conservationist who would like to contribute meaningfully to the conservation of biodiversity through Integrated Catchment Management, by building and facilitating capabilities at landscape and regional level to ensure integrated fire, invasive alien vegetation and restoration management, assist with disaster risk reduction in order to reduce and mitigate risks to CapeNature in the West Region.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**Develop systems (including information management systems), decision-making processes, policies, strategies, protocols and guidelines to promote and maintain healthy catchments.**
- Identify needs for systems, decision-making processes and other policies, procedures, protocols and strategies, identify gaps and recommend appropriate interventions within the West Region.
- Assist with the development and support implementation of Standard Operational Guidelines (SOGs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) and Norms & Standards.
- Assist and align standardisation and development of systems such as Management Unit Clearing Plans, Annual Plans of Operations, Decision support planning tools and Infrastructure Fire Risk Assessments.
- Assist with development of standardised audit tools, including Fire Preparedness Audits and Integrated Catchment Management Audits.

**Assist with the prioritisation of catchments for interventions, provide specialist technical inputs into planning interventions, identify possible funding opportunities and develop funding proposals.**
- Prioritise interventions for integrated catchment management including, fires, invasive alien species and rehabilitation within the West Region.
- Provide detailed plans to address priority integrated catchment management interventions to reduce the threat of disasters in the West Region (on and off-reserve).
- Lead on the coordination and implementation of CapeNature’s Catchment to Coast Strategy and Implementation Plan, at a Regional Level.
- Lead on the coordination and implementation of CapeNature’s collaboration and implementation support to the Boland-Groot Winterhoek Strategic Water Source Areas.
- Identify and facilitate possible funding opportunities and develop funding proposals.
- Identify and participate in relevant research needs and participate in projects related to integrated catchment management, climate change and disaster risk reduction.

**Facilitate the development and implementation of strategies to minimise and mitigate liability risks due to fire and natural disasters.**
- Conduct and Coordinate Pre and Post Season Fire Audits.
- Report on main findings and recommendations from Pre and Post season fire audits to inform decision making at landscape and regional level.
- Coordinate the compilation of the emergency and incident management plans in the West Region.
- Provide technical inputs to assess legal liabilities related to relevant contingent liabilities, assist with the preparation of portfolio of evidence.

**Support the development of and/develop a network of strategic partnerships and support systems, including disaster management and mitigation.**
- Identify and develop relevant partnerships with internal / external stakeholders and ensure signed partnerships for Integrated Catchment Management in the West Region.
- Maintain relevant partnerships in the West Region, working closely with municipalities, Fire Protection Associations, Catchment Management Agency, Working on Fire and other agencies.
- Assist and provide guidance at incidents as a resource as required.
- Increase awareness around integrated catchment management, climate change and disaster risk reduction.

**Generate systems and tools to produce landscape intelligence and outputs and implement innovation and technology to develop and augment capability for effective integrated catchment management.**
- Identify innovation and technology that will improve effective integrated catchment management.
- Coordinate specialist support with the implementation of FireWeb Systems in West Region.

**MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS**:

- Degree in Nature Conservation, Disaster Management or related Natural Sciences.
- Strong ability to lead with at least 5 years’ management experience in the Conservation Sector
- Proven track record of managing a protected area and sound interpersonal, communication and people management skills
- Experience in Fynbos Fire Management & Alien Vegetation Management
- Strong leadership and conflict resolution skills
- Exceptional ability to work effectively within teams (as a leader and as team member)
- Proven written and communication skills
- Exceptional financial management skills
- Thorough working knowledge of MS Office with QGIS (or equivalent) advantageous
- A valid EB (08) driver’s license, willingness to travel regularly and ability to drive on 4x4 terrain
- Physical fitness to perform duties in rugged mountainous terrain
- Bilingualism in at least 2 of the official languages of t