CapeNature seeks to appoint a professional, competent, innovative, and energetic candidate to its Team Leader: Ecologist position.  The candidate should have well developed interpersonal, communication and writing skills coupled with a high level of professionalism.  The Team Leader: Ecologist is responsible for reporting on biodiversity and the implementation of Strategic Adaptive Management Models through the development of plans, systems, and strategies for conservation in the Western Cape.  The candidate will lead a team of ecologists and ecological technicians and must ensure cohesion and teamwork to get results.

The Team Leader: Ecologist works to ensure that biodiversity conservation knowledge and planning systems are integrated into CapeNature’s Conservation Operations and protected area management through strengthening intergovernmental cooperation mechanisms, maximising the potential of strategic partnership projects, and supporting efficient uptake of conservation intelligence outputs within, and external to CapeNature.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

KRA 1: Manage, develop and integrate knowledge, planning, and monitoring systems.

• Lead and contribute to the development of an annual Western Cape State of Conservation Report.
• Lead the development of the five-yearly Western Cape State of Biodiversity Report.
• Ensure the current and accurate taxonomic information is provided in the revision of:
  • Biodiversity and Protected Area Management Plans.
  • the five-yearly Catchment to Coast Strategy.
  • the five-yearly Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan.

KRA 2: Manage, develop and integrate legislation, policies, strategies and systems.

• Ensure timeous, lawful, compliant, and consistent authorisations for biodiversity use.
• Provide current and accurate scientific data to inform the development of Evidence-based Non-Detriment findings for priority Western Cape CITES and TOPS listed species.
• Ensure current and accurate scientific information informs the development of:
  • Western Cape Biodiversity Legislation
  • CapeNature Legislative Policies.
  • Biodiversity Governance Position Statements.
• Ensure current and accurate scientific information informs Biodiversity and Environmental Legislation distributed for comment.

KRA 3: Generate impact through the enablement, development and integration of leading-edge technologies, practice, policy, science, and innovation.

• Contribute to and mainstream the implementation of an effective web-based integrated conservation and biodiversity data management system with strategic partners, biodiversity research entities and other biodiversity institutions for CapeNature.
• Mainstream leading edge, professional, formal scientific research (internally and externally), technical reports, memoranda, assessments and publications, peer reviewed scientific publications, presentations, and presentations at appropriate Provincial/National/International Biodiversity Conservation Conferences to advance the practice of biodiversity conservation.

KRA 4: Manage, engage and collaborate with strategic partners and fora.

• Represent CapeNature’s mandate and interests on appropriate National and Provincial Forums.
• Mainstream and support the prioritisation of strategic partnerships and finalisation of Memoranda of Agreement/Understanding.
• Facilitate the development of appropriate external funding proposals and implement externally funded projects when applicable.

 KRA 5: Manage, develop and deploy biodiversity capability and capacity.

• Lead and support the development, deployment, and integration of Biodiversity Capabilities products and expert decision support into Conservation Operations.
• Lead, develop, contribute to, and deliver stakeholder capacity building and awareness about healthy natural ecosystems, habitats and landscapes, and ecosystem services.
• Lead the mainstreaming and uptake of optimal procedures, practices and processes for effective biodiversity monitoring and surveillance.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Natural Science degree in the field of Conservation Science, Ecological Science, Biological Science or Zoological Science (NQF 7) with at least five (preferably eight) years’ professional post qualification experience.
• Extensive knowledge of applicable relevant national and provincial biodiversity legislation and knowledge of multilateral environmental agreements.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the ecology, fauna, and flora of the Western Cape and the primary threats to its biodiversity.
• Sound knowledge of biodiversity policies in the Western Cape.
• Demonstratable project management and organizational skills. Applicants are required to upload an example of a completed project or plan for which they were they were responsible.
• Excellent formal report and scientific writing skills. Applicants are required to upload a self-authored report/thesis/publication.
• Demonstratable experience in workshop facilitation. Applicants are required to upload an example of where they were a primary workshop facilitator, (i.e. agenda, programme, and proceedings).
• Proficiency in at least two of the three official languages of the Western Cape.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proficiency in using a full-featured GIS Software Package/s (e.g., QGIS or ArcGIS).
• In possession of a valid unendorsed Code EB unendorsed driver’s license with own vehicle. Must be willing to regularly travel extensively throughout the Western Cape Province and elsewhere as required.
• No criminal record.

COMPETENCIES

• Self-motivated and requiring a minimal amount of supervision and technical management; and
• Comfortable working in a team with a willingness and patience to capacitate colleagues and stakeholders Excellent written and verbal communication and inter-personal skills.
• Proficiency in statistical analyses.
• Advanced interpersonal and communication skills.
• Advanced problem solving, analytical, strategic, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work under pressure with multiple stakeholders.
• An active learning, innovative and problem-solving approach to job, with good organisation skills.
• Ability to work to a detailed schedule and meet deadlines.
• Ability to prioritise and adapt, managing multiple projects and tight deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships colleagues, peers, and professional associations.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) accreditation.

Kindly note that it is encouraged to become a member of the CapeNature Pension Fund.  In the event that you are an existing member of a Medical Aid, you are required to provide a copy of such membership registration before the commencement of your employment with CapeNature.

AS AN EMPLOYEE OF CAPENATURE, YOU WILL ENJOY:

• 24 days of annual leave per annual leave cycle
• Comprehensive benefits for death, critical illness or injury linked to the Pension Fund for CapeNature employees
• Staff discounts of up to 50% on CapeNature accommodation at reserves across the Western Cape
• Opportunities for career progression and development through internal and external training interventions, and academic growth through the internal CapeNature Bursary Programme subject to Bursary Policy guidelines
• Free access to CapeNature’s Wellness Partner for you and your immediate household which includes professional counselling, financial, legal and health related advice; and
• The opportunity to positively impact the environment and promote a sustainable future.

To apply, please visit the careers page on the CapeNature Website.

Apply online at https://capenature.simplify.hr/  

Closing Date: 03 March 2026