Senior Ecological Infrastructure Coordinator

**Job Advert Summary**:
Within the context of WWF's Water Source Partnerships, which aim to address the crisis of water governance, WWF believes an important intervention is to create “bankable governance institutions”, capacitating the strategic institutions that exist in the landscape rather than attempting to create new functioning structures. As such, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) has been identified as a critical governance structure with significant potential to influence and impact on several of the Western Cape based Strategic Water Source Areas. However, DEA&DP require additional capacity to mobilize the implementation of the Ecological Infrastructure Investment Framework (EIIF) - a body of work focused on achieving well-managed ecological infrastructure. The focus of this employment position shall be on strengthening catchment governance and supporting more effective ecological infrastructure management in the Strategic Water Source Areas within the Western Cape.

**Minimum Requirements**:

- A university degree in Environmental Science, Freshwater Ecology, Conservation Biology, Hydrology, Agriculture, Engineering, Development Studies, Public Policy, Economics or a related field.
- At least 5 years of relevant experience
- Prior specific experience with integrated catchment management, water conservation, hydrological modelling, alien invasive plant clearing, wetland and riparian rehabilitation, community engagement and stakeholder relations are strong assets. Experience in managing project finance is an advantage.
- Written and oral proficiency in English.
- Proficiency in isiXhosa and Afrikaans is recommended.
- A strong interest in improving water provision and water stewardship in South Africa through community engagement and stakeholder partnerships.
- Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to lead & facilitate stakeholder meetings and workshops.
- Solid project management skills, including tracking of project progress, reporting and budgeting.
- Excellent ability to build relationships and trust with multiple stakeholders.
- A self-starter that can work independently is adaptable and is passionate about supporting improved environmental sustainability on the ground.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:
**Contribute to convene a community-public-private community of practice by**:

- Providing a point of strategic contact for stakeholders with regards to the implementation of the EIIF within the Strategic Water Source Areas in the Western Cape.
- Enhancing communication and building relationships between local platforms focused on those which represent commercial and small holder landowners as well as government bodies. These would include, but are not limited to, the Catchment Management Agencies, Irrigation Boards, Water User Associations, Fire Protection Associations, Water Funds and specialist local platforms.
- Facilitating coordinated action for the implementation of the EIIF across the Strategic Water Source Areas in the Province, including: enabling and progressing water network platforms (initially being The Collective and the Outeniqua to Tsitsikamma Water Working Group SWSAs); and creating opportunities and building capacity in local platforms.
- Provide technical support towards the development and execution of priorities and actions for the different Strategic Water Source Area platforms.
- Optimising knowledge development and exchange within and between platforms and Strategic Water Source Areas.
- Promoting dissemination of successes, challenges and findings through providing relevant materials for communication opportunities.

**Capacity building in the Department, for municipalities and other stakeholders and support for municipal and provincial planning processes by**:

- Providing a point of contact for the broader partnership to engage with other relevant initiatives within the Department.
- Enabling the monitoring of EI investments in the Western Cape, through facilitating the piloting of system/s that can spatially capture the operations of the partners.
- Participating in the development of supportive policies, legislation, strategies, action plans, guidelines, norms, and standards.
- Providing support and advice to other spheres of government, stakeholders and internal clients on the maintenance of ecological functioning in Strategic Water Source Areas.
- Identifying and coordinating proposals for various funding opportunities in order to improve investment in Ecological Infrastructure within SWSAs.
- Engaging with relevant WWF staff on common initiatives.

**Project, financial and administrative management**:

- Ensure compilation of and submit monthly work plans, progress and technical reports.
- Control and monitor expenditure.