Job Advert Summary
(2-year contract position, based in WWF-SA Offices in Newlands, Cape Town)
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.
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WWF South Africa is a national office that is part of the WWF network. We are a local NGO that for more than 40 years has worked towards the aim of inspiring all South Africans to live in harmony with nature, for the benefit of our country and the wellbeing of all our people.
Our work is challenging and exciting and we love what we do. To join our team, you need to be brilliant at what you do, passionate, results-orientated and have a positive attitude.
Background
WWF-SA is looking for a highly motivated Community Conservation Coordinator to develop and implement a new body of work in the Succulent Karoo (Northern- and Western Cape provinces). Through supporting strategic planning processes and project implementation, the Coordinator will support identified communities to address skills development and training needs, key resource needs, identify opportunities in the biodiversity economy, pilot demonstration projects, diversify and strengthen partnerships with relevant stakeholders, and mobilise resources to sustain community livelihoods. This role will form part of the Land programme and will also be instrumental in growing this portfolio of work. The Land Programme mainly supports current efforts in the expansion of protected areas, through facilitating and financing land purchase and biodiversity stewardship projects.
Minimum Requirements
- A tertiary qualification in Biodiversity Conservation, Social Sciences, Development Studies Environmental Management, or related to project management.
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in coordinating and implementing projects related to community-based natural resource management.
- Knowledge and understanding of the South African environmental sector, role players and respective mandates – Biodiversity Stewardship, National Biodiversity Economy Strategy, People and Parks programme, Environmental Education and Awareness, Community Based Conservation, Community Development, Expanded Public Works Programme and Protected areas expansion strategies.
- Experience and skills in monitoring and evaluation and report writing.
- Good verbal, written communication skills in Afrikaans and English.
- Good planning and organising skills.
- Good interpersonal and stakeholder engagement experience and skills.
- Computer literacy in word processing (MS Word), spreadsheets (excel), databases (Access), email & presentations (MS PowerPoint) including working knowledge of GIS.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Willingness to travel extensively.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Community Conservation Coordinator will be responsible for the following actions:
- Oversee stakeholder analysis and engagement processes.
- Coordinate and support the implementation of a skills development and training needs assessment for the beneficiary communities linked to the Knersvlakte Nature Reserve & Namaqua National Park.
- Develop, test and implement identified viable sustainable livelihoods activities for the Knersvlakte Nature Reserve & Namaqua National Park including future expansion priorities.
- In collaboration with conservation partners and WWF Business Development Unit, WWF’s Design & Planning committee develop and submit funding proposals to ensure project sustainability.
- Investigate potential funding mechanisms to support local community projects identified as part of the project deliverables & outcomes in the specific protected areas, i.e., small grants facility.
- Lead and coordinate the development of strategy aligned to key policies such as the National Biodiversity Economy Strategy and identify synergies with relevant initiatives in the Succulent Karoo.
- Develop, maintain and manage the relationships with relevant in partners in government, civil society, and the private sector.
- liaise with external partners in organising steering committee meetings, joining current steering committee meetings, site visits, and coordinating travel arrangements.
- Support the implementation of a monitoring, evaluation, and learning process, and ensure that lessons from projects activities are used to support the improvement of project design and programme development.
- Develop a framework for WWF Land Portfolio for implementation including monitoring and evaluation component working with WWF internal structures.
- Compile and submit project narrative and financial reports in line with the reporting schedule.
- Provide general administrative support and budget management for the Land Programme.
- Support the communication of project progress and milestones.
