The Conservation Manager: Off-Reserve, Peninsula will drive and manage the compliance with relevant biodiversity legislation, extension, conservation management, monitoring and contribute to the progressive operationalization of CapeNature programs and projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership and management to enhance biodiversity resilience through targeted ecosystem conservation and restoration initiatives

• Contribute to ecological management and collection of biodiversity data in the area (Ecological Matrix projects implemented and reporting on it).
• Build relationships with partners and stakeholders in the field of biodiversity conservation to ensure ecological management.
• Leadership and management to enhance biodiversity resilience through targeted ecosystem conservation and restoration initiatives.

Lead landscape conservation and stewardship in ways that address biodiversity loss through the implementation of conservation management programmes and monitoring.

• Protected area expansion priorities, informed by the Western Cape Protected Area Expansion Strategy (WCPAES) and Biodiversity Spatial Plan (BSP) and associated conservation intelligence, are planned for, implemented, monitored and audited.
• Contribute towards peer learning in the field of protected area expansion.
• Assist and enable landowners of Private Nature Reserve (PNR) through the process to become compliant with National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (NEMPA) within the Landscape Unit.
• Participation in the specially funded projects and providing feedback on the implementation of the projects. (e.g. TMF Management Effectiveness Special Project)
• Assessing, presenting, and liaising with CapeNature Stewardship Review Committee and other relevant departments to secure private land for biodiversity (Reactive and Proactive), including approving management plans and drafting legal documents.
• Attendance to Conservancies meetings and enquiries to supply Biodiversity Conservation advice and input as required.
• Build relationships with partners and stakeholders in the field of protected area expansion through extension services.
• Functional partnerships addressing biodiversity loss are developed and maintained.
• Actions to improve the conservation status of priority species and ecosystems are implemented.
• Review and supply comments on game management plans submitted in terms of the Game Translocation and Utilisation Policy (GTUP).
• Review and supply comments on management plans for rehabilitation and exhibition facilities in terms of the Fencing and enclosure of Game and predators in the Western Cape Province policy.
• Extension provided to landowners regarding wildlife damage mitigation measures that are humane, ethical and ecologically acceptable.
• Assist landowners with game habitat evaluations and provide outcomes to landowner.

Leadership and management to advocate for behavioral change and promote voluntary compliance

• Establishing Local community involvement in Protected Area management.

• Enhancement of stakeholder capacity building engagement through targeted interventions applicable to standards, procedures and policy for conservation matters off reserve.
• Contribute towards environmental education amongst the youth.
• Ensure the implementation of the biodiversity legal mandate through compliance and enforcement actions.
• Establish good working relations between South African Police Services and National Prosecuting Authority to assist with enforcement actions.
• Promotion of compliance with biodiversity legislation by conducting compliance inspections and processing voluntary compliance notices.
• Conduct inspections for biodiversity permit applications received.
• Issue biodiversity permits within organisational time frames.
• Implementation of compliance plans for Off Reserve component.
• Report environmental legislation non-compliance to the relevant authorities.
• Contribute and/or lead the identification, development and/review of standards and procedures and/or policy as it relates environmental legislation.
• Ensure that legislative, policy, and strategy changes are disseminated to relevant stakeholders (external and internal as may be required).
• Provide an effective and professional extension service related to compliance and enforcement.

Ensuring through, leadership and management the implementation of job creation programmes to promote the biodiversity economy and enhance biodiversity access and sustainable use.

• Investigate and develop, where applicable in the Landscape, a biodiversity economy site or project.

Assume overall accountability for ensuring performance, governance and risk management

• Create an enabling environment for formal and informal partnerships to mitigate risks to biodiversity.
• Ensure all relevant Occupational Health & Safety legislation, policies and standards are in place and adhered to
• Ensure organisational governance is enhanced by adherence to corporate policies and standards.
• Ensure Landscape performance is enhanced through effective and efficient staff performance.
• Ensure that the Off Reserve component supports and practices gender equality towards equity, embracing gender, diversity and inclusion concepts and the ability to filter this through to the extended work environment.
• Ensure effective finance and administration management within the unit.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications and Experience

• National Diploma in Nature Conservation / equivalent qualification at NQF 6 in a Nature Conservation field.
• At least 3 years’ management experience in the Conservation Sector.
• A valid EB or B (08) driver’s license.
• Working knowledge of MS Office with QGIS (or equivalent) advantageous.
• Bilingualism in at least 2 of the official languages of the Western Cape.
• Understanding of Environmental Legislation.
• Experience in implementation of Stewardship methodology.
• Valid Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI) Certificate (Grade 2).
• No criminal record.

Competencies

• Strong leadership ability to lead and conflict resolution skills.
• Proven track record of managing an area in the conservation sector and sound interpersonal, communication and people management skills.
• Exceptional ability to work effectively within teams (as a leader and as team member).
• High Competency in Computer literacy and Report writing skills.
• Managerial and Project Management experience.
• Physical fitness to perform duties and inspections.
• High levels of personal responsibility and accountability.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Willingness to travel regularly and ability to drive on 4x4 terrain.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• B-Tech Degree in Nature Conservation / appropriate Master’s Degree will be advantageous.

AS A PERMANENT 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.

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

Note that a valid driver’s license is essential as this post offers an excellent opportunity to travel and view the biodiversity that we need to conserve for a sustainable future.

“*Remuneration negotiable within the range provided, depending on current remuneration package”.

Only suitable candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered.

CapeNature reserves the right not to make an appointment or to re-advertise a post should it be deemed necessary within its sole discretion.

Apply online: https://capenature.simply.hr

Closing Date: 27 March 2026