SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY INSTITUTE (SANBI) VACANCIES

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY INSTITUTE (SANBI)

CLINICAL VETERINARIAN
Reference No: NZG/007/2023

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is looking for a highly motivated, efficient, and enthusiastic person to provide clinical veterinary services for the Centre for Wildlife Health for the animal collections of the National Zoological Gardens and to render a variety of activities such as diagnosis and treatment, necropsies, preventive medicine program, husbandry support, game capture support, research support, training and consultation in support of the National Zoological Garden to achieve its strategic objectives, goals, and mandate.

This position requires a degree in Veterinary or equivalent qualification at NQF 7. A postgraduate degree in Veterinary or equivalent qualification at NQF 8 will be an added advantage. This position also requires a minimum of 8 years of work experience in the relevant field, 4 years of which should be in first line management position(s).

The following competencies are required for the candidate to be successful in this position: registration as a Veterinarian with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) is essential; extensive knowledge of legislation, policies, procedures, processes, practices, systems, and frameworks related to the provision of clinical veterinary services is essential; comprehensive experience with non-domestic animals and research would be considered an advantage; ability to execute necropsy examination of animals and birds is essential; good personal skills for communicating with external clients and ability to work in a diverse team whilst being quality, cost, and safety conscious; proven ability to be responsible, and proactive, anticipate problems and show initiative in solving them would be an absolute added advantage; evidence based medical approach to treatments and diagnosis of animals related welfare and disease concerns; advanced planning, organizing, interpersonal, and problem solving skills; excellent communication skills (both verbal and written); excellent computer literacy and experience in the application of software tools including (Ms Word, MS Project, PowerPoint, Excel, Internet and Outlook) will be advantageous. The possession of a valid driver’s licence with at least one-year practical driving experience and a willingness to travel is essential.

Key performance responsibilities include the following:

Perform animal health and welfare services in support to National Zoological Gardens’ strategic plan, that is, to provide an effective animal health, treatment, and care service thereby conforming to the veterinary code of conduct and highest ethics code;
Maintain legal and professional accountabilities and responsibilities;
Ensure for the implementation of preventative medicine plan for animals and birds;
Maintain effective liaison and networking, and stakeholder management;
Provide veterinary support and assistance to National Departments and involvement in veterinary based research and identified Animal Working Groups; and
Facilitate effective project management, general administration duties and services.

Application procedure:
1) An application form must accompany the CV together with a letter motivating why the applicant should be favourably considered for this position, and certified qualifications confirming that the minimum qualifications are met (applicants lacking evidence of meeting minimum qualifications and relevant experience will not be considered).
2) A competency test will be conducted as part of the selection process.
3) Applicants must also provide the full names, addresses and telephone numbers and if possible e-mail addresses of at least three referees.
4) Failure to submit the requested information and reference number shall result in your application not being considered.

Personal Information will be processed by SANBI for purposes of assessing your suitability for the advertised position. SANBI may also share your personal information including special personal information with service providers or third parties, both within the Republic of South Africa and in other jurisdictions, to carry out verification of qualifications and other necessary documents, background and reference checks, competency assessment tests, and criminal record checks. In this regard, by virtue of your application, you acknowledge that SANBI’s authorized verification agent(s) and service providers will access your personal information including special personal information to conduct background screening, verification of qualifications and other necessary documents, reference checks, competency assessment tests, and criminal record checks. For more information, kindly refer to SANBI’s website.

Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. SANBI reserves the right not to fill this position. All applications will be considered with the understanding that, in terms of the SANBI Employment Equity Plan, preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups.

Applications consisting of the completed application form, motivation letter, a concise CV, and certified qualifications are to be submitted via an e-mail to recruitmentnzg@sanbi.org.za

Postal applications must be addressed to:
Assistant Director: HR Operations
South African National Biodiversity Institute
Private Bag PO Box 754
Pretoria
0001

Candidates are expected to be available for selection interviews on a date and time as determined by SANBI. If no response has been received within 30 days of the closing date, candidates must consider their applications unsuccessful.

Enquiries
Ms Zanele Mdliva
Tel: +27 (0)12 339 2761

Application form

Closes: Friday, 6 October 2023
Job type: Permanent
Salary: R811 560.00 per annum
Location: Pretoria

BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS STUDENT BURSARIES FOR 2024
1 x Hons; 3 x Masters; 4 x Doctoral
Bursaries are available to conduct research as part of the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s work on biological invasions. Projects relevant to one of SANBI’s focus areas will be considered (status report and monitoring; incursion detection and response planning; eradication planning and co-ordination; risk analysis; and taxonomy).

For more details see the following resources:

See potential projects here
For other projects, please contact us before submitting an application to check if your proposal is suitable.
Bursary values
Hons: 60,000 + fees; MSc: 115,000 + fees; PhD: 161,000 + fees.
All bursaries are paid directly to the postgraduate student and academic fees paid directly to the host institution on receipt of an invoice. Applicants for an MSc or PhD can be considered for a one-year project development internship should the applicant be unlikely to finish their studies within the prescribed period of time. In such cases, a candidate will be offered an internship interview. A project development intern is expected to re-apply for a bursary the following year.

Requirements and running costs
Candidates must be pro-active, enthusiastic, and interested in doing excellent research that will help improve our understanding and management of biological invasions. Bursaries are only available to South African citizens registered at universities in South Africa and will be awarded in line with national equity targets and the need to diversify the research landscape (students to be based at historically disadvantaged or new public higher education institutions are encouraged to apply). All students need to apply to a university themselves and the bursary is conditional upon them securing their position in such a programme. Project running expenses are covered separately to the bursaries and vary depending on the project. Funding either for registration of part-time studies or for running costs of other projects might be considered providing the project is strongly aligned to SANBI’s mandate and all the documents are provided.

Application procedure
Applications must include:

a cover-sheet available at: https://tinyurl.com/yeywbwyw
a one-page project outline for Honours applications or a two-page project outline for Masters and Doctoral applications;
a full CV;
letters of reference from two academic supervisors;
a statement of support from a prospective academic supervisor;
a statement of support from a SANBI staff member who is to act as a contact or co-supervisor;
a certified copy of academic record;
a certified copy of highest degree;
a certified copy of ID

Send all documents as a single pdf file in the order specified above to: students@sanbi.org.za; sanbi.dbi.bursaries@gmail.com
Subject: SANBI Biological Invasions Bursary application
E-mails must be <20MB.
SANBI reserves the right not to fill these bursaries. If no response has been received within 28 working days of the closing date, candidates may assume that their applications were unsuccessful.

Enquiries:
Academic: Prof John Wilson (jrwilson@sun.ac.za)
Application process: Ms René du Toit (r.dutoit@sanbi.org.za)

Application cover sheet

Closes: Friday, 3 November 2023
Location: South Africa

JOAN WRENCH KIRSTENBOSCH SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Call for postgraduate scholarships 2024
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is pleased to announce a call for applications for Honours, Masters and Doctoral (or equivalent NQF levels) scholarships for full-time studies in 2024.

Projects:
Only projects relevant to SANBI’s mandate and research strategy and identified as a priority will be considered. For specific projects (here) For other projects, please contact us before submitting an application to check if your proposal is suitable.

Requirements:
Candidates must be pro-active, enthusiastic, and interested in doing excellent research that can make a difference. These scholarships are only available to South African citizens and will be awarded in line with national equity targets. Students need to apply for university programmes themselves and the scholarship is conditional upon them securing their placement in a postgraduate programme and have provisional acceptance from prospective academic supervisors. Please contact the SANBI supervisor for endorsement prior to applying.

Conditions:

Only full-time studies will be supported
Applicants must be South African citizens and under 35 years of age
Applicants can register at any South African university
Applicants must be based in the Western Cape for at least three (3) months of every year of study; for field work and face to face consultation with SANBI supervisors (where relevant).
The focus of research projects, including field sites must be in the Western Cape
Only research projects in line with SANBI’s mandate and research strategy will be considered
Applicants must not be employed
Existing studies will not be supported
Registration for a second Honours, Masters or Doctoral degree will not be considered
Where applicants hold partial scholarships/bursaries, co-funding will be considered
For Masters studies, applicants must hold an Honours degree/Postgraduate Diploma

Scholarship values: (to cover living expenses and university fees)

Honours: R120 000 for one year only
Masters: R150 000/year for two years
Doctoral: R180 000/year for three years

Project running expenses will be covered separately and will vary depending on the project.

Application procedure:
Each application is to be accompanied by a standard application cover sheet form.
Applications are to include a letter of interest; full CV; certified copies of academic record/transcript and highest qualification; as well as ID; a project outline; two letters of academic reference; a letter from prospective university supervisor as well as SANBI supervisor, indicating willingness to supervise and provisional registration/application from the university. Send all documents to students@sanbi.org.za and students.sanbi@gmail.com with “Joan Wrench Kirstenbosch Scholarship studentships” in the subject line.
SANBI reserves the right not to fill these scholarships. If no response has been received within 30 days of the closing date, candidates may assume that their applications were unsuccessful.

Contact details:
Dr Ferozah Conrad (f.conrad@sanbi.org.za)
Ms René du Toit (r.dutoit@sanbi.org.za)

Application form

Closes: Monday, 9 October 2023 (successful candidates will be notified by mid November 2023)
Time: 16.00
Location: Western Cape

ECOLOGICAL CONDITION POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
Duration: 3 years

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral fellowship with the Directorate Biodiversity Assessment at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the Centre for Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation (SEEC) at the University of Cape Town to support research, modelling and mapping of land degradation and ecological condition in the Southern African region.
The postdoctoral fellowship is under the auspices of the project titled ‘Building biodiversity knowledge for action in Southern Africa: Spatial Biodiversity Assessment, Prioritization and Planning in South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Malawi’ (hereafter ‘SBAPP Regional Project’), which has been awarded to SANBI by French donors.
The purpose of this project is to develop and/or enhance spatial biodiversity assessments (of key species and ecosystem types) for four countries, and assist with their application in biodiversity prioritisation and planning in those countries. The postdoctoral fellowship will fall within Objective 4 of the project, which aims to identify the ecosystem change and degradation processes (biotic and abiotic), pressures and threats to terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity.
A key knowledge gap identified in South Africa’s National Biodiversity Assessment 2018 was for improved data on ecological condition for terrestrial and freshwater ecosystem types. These data inform Red List assessments (for ecosystems and species), systematic biodiversity plans, and a wide range of land management and restoration efforts. Working on a regional basis with neighbouring countries is of prime importance because ecosystem types and species cross national borders.

Requirements: The postdoctoral fellowship is open to anyone who has completed a PhD in the last five years, or who has submitted their PhD thesis for examination. Note: if the candidate selected to fill this role has not yet been awarded their PhD, their postdoctoral enrolment will be limited to 6 months and enrolment will be cancelled thereafter unless proof of having obtained the doctoral degree is submitted.
Applicants from South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Malawi are encouraged (noting that the fellowship will be based in Cape Town). Note for non-South African applicants: applications for relevant visas from the South African Department of Home Affairs will be for the applicant's own cost and will need to be in place before the fellowship commences.
Candidates must have a strong ecological background, preferably including work in southern African biomes. Candidates must be independent and productive with a peer-reviewed publication track record. Applicants must be familiar and comfortable with remote sensing and GIS techniques as well as advanced statistics and spatial modelling. Proficiency in R and Google Earth Engine would be a distinct advantage.
Applicants must demonstrate an ability to undertake research, synthesise literature and data sources, and use scientific evidence to formulate defendable recommendations. The position also involves coordination and convening tasks linked to the establishment of a community of practice for ecological condition, inclusive of government, academia and civil society in South Africa.

Research Areas: The main avenues of research are:

review and assess ecological condition and land degradation research and products that have been developed for South Africa and its neighbouring countries (potentially including products developed for livestock overgrazing, alien plant invasions, altered fire regimes, woody plant encroachment, climate change, unsustainable harvesting of biological resources, etc.);
using the review, identify spatial, biogeographical and driver (or other) gaps in our knowledge of ecological condition and land degradation;
develop regional remote sensing based tools and models to aid ecological condition assessment for key gaps identified;
consolidate and harmonise key remote sensing ecosystem condition and land degradation products into a spatial database to enable assessment of ecosystem risk.

Value: A fellowship of R350,000 per year for three (3) years is available. Please note that this fellowship is not subject to income tax, and UCT will pay a stipend to the fellow as per their procedures. Some running expenses will also be made available each year.

Application procedure: Each application is to be accompanied by a standard bursary application cover sheet (attached to this advert). Applications are to include a full CV; certified copies of ID and academic records; two letters of reference (one must be from an academic supervisor); examples of published work; and a motivation letter (no longer than a page) describing the applicant’s suitability for the position in terms of skills, experience and published research. Send all documents to students@sanbi.org.za and students.sanbi@gmail.com with “SANBI-UCT Ecological Condition Postdoctoral Fellowship” in the subject line.

SANBI and UCT reserve the right not to fill this fellowship. If no response has been received by end October 2023, candidates may assume that their applications were unsuccessful.

Contact details:
Academic queries:
Dr Andrew Skowno (a.skowno@sanbi.org.za)
Dr Vernon Visser (vernon.visser@uct.ac.za)
Application queries:
Ms René du Toit (r.dutoit@sanbi.org.za)

Application cover sheet

Closes: Friday, 13 October 2023
Location: Cape Town

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