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SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL PARKS (SANPARKS)
 
PROTECTED AREA EXPANSION PROGRAMME MANAGER (PARKS PLANNING OFFICE, PE)
Park: Groenkloof (Head Office)
 
Description:
A challenging vacancy currently exists for Protected Area Expansion Programme Manager to be based at the Park Planning Unit in Nqanqarhu (Maclear) reporting to the General Manager: Park Planning & Development. The main function of the job is to undertake the planning and implement the establishment, expansion and management of the new Grasslands National Park through the negotiation of voluntary agreements with private and communal landowners. The above-stated position is on a fixed-term contract. The position is graded a D1 level with a salary range of R467 139.22 to R765 877.81
 
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Requirements:
  • Postgraduate degree in Environmental, Sustainable Development, Ecological or Earth Science Field
  • Minimum of five years experience in the fields of Protected Area planning and management, community-based conservation, implementation of landscape-scale biodiversity projects and programmes
  • Ability to engage with and relate to a variety of stakeholders
  • Innovation and lateral thinking in responding to complex challenges
  • Working knowledge of relevant conservation legislation and conservation management
  • Computer literacy with a working knowledge of Microsoft packages
  • Sound knowledge of statutory governing National Parks incl. NEMA: PAA, MPA, PFMA, etc.
  • Good written and verbal communication, negotiation, project management, conflict resolution and community liaison skills
  • Sound organisational, administrative and negotiation skills
  • A valid driver's license
 
 
Responsibilities:
  • To coordinate and undertake engagements, property screening and assessment processes with landowners in the identified priority areas for the establishment of the Grasslands National Park.
  • To coordinate, facilitate and undertake the processes required to declare properties as part of the Grasslands National Park, in accordance with the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, No.57 of 2003 (NEMPAA).
  • To coordinate the preparation of management plans and to coordinate, facilitate and undertake the preparation of management agreements, in support of the declaration of properties as part of the Grasslands National Park.
  • To engage with SANParks Conservation Services, Legal Services, Socio-economic Transformation and the Department of Environment Forestry and Fisheries in facilitating the declaration of properties as part of the Grasslands National Park.
  • To engage with local, provincial and government stakeholders in the establishment and declaration of properties as part of the Grasslands National Park.
  • To ensure that the provisions of the NEMPAA have been met in terms of engagement with municipalities, provincial and national government departments, particularly in the case where declarations are contemplated on state-owned land that is administered by a municipality, provincial or national government department.
  • To coordinate and facilitate the development of socio-economic beneficiation strategies, business plans and enterprises on communal land, declared as part of the Grasslands National Park.
  • To coordinate and facilitate post-declaration ecological and other support to private and communal landowners whose properties have been declared as part of the Grasslands National Park.
  • To coordinate and facilitate reporting and auditing requirements, in terms of NEMPAA, that ensure that properties declared as part of the Grasslands National Park are fulfilling the purpose for which they were declared and are being managed in accordance with their management plans.
  • To manage the project budget and compile project progress reports.
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Salary: R 467 139 - R 765 877
 
Applications must be accompanied by an application letter and CV, certified ID copy, relevant qualifications and to be submitted to the following address:
Ms Sandiso Ndlovu
South African National Parks
P O Box 787
PRETORIA
0001
E-mail: sandiso.ndlovu@sanparks.org
 
CLOSING DATE: 09 JULY 2021
 
NB: If you have not been responded to within 14 days of the closing date, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.

SANParks is committed to the principles of employment equity. Preference will be given to PDI / HDSA.