- Pretoria
- Salary: Market Related
- Job Type: Permanent
- Sectors: Government & Parastatals Management Environmental
- Reference: GDIR/001/2026
- Employment Equity Position
Vacancy Details
Employer: SANBI
General Manager: National Botanical Gardens.
Salary Level 14.
National Botanical Gardens Division.
Pretoria National Botanical Garden.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is looking for a highly motivated individual to provide strategic leadership for SANBI, particularly in managing SANBI’s eleven (11) National Botanical Gardens currently spread across eight provinces in South Africa.
Please Note:
1) An application form (obtainable from our Offices or SANBI website www.sanbi.org must accompany the CV together with a letter motivating why the applicant should be favorably 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 skills test, competency assessment, qualifications and criminal record checks will be conducted as part of the selection process.
3) Applicants must also provide the full names, addresses and telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of at least three referees.
4) Failure to submit the requested information and reference number may 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.
Contact Mr Maano Netshiombo for any clarity. Applications consisting of the completed application form (available from www.sanbi.org/jobs), motivation letter, a concise CV, and certified qualifications are to be submitted via an e-mail to recruitmentpta@sanbi.org.za
Candidate Requirements
This position requires a postgraduate degree at NQF level 8 in Life Sciences, Natural Sciences, Ecology, Biology, Botany, or an equivalent and relevant qualification at NQF level 8. A relevant postgraduate degree at NQF level 9 or equivalent qualification will be an added advantage. This position also requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience with at least 5 years in Senior Management, at Director/Senior Manager or equivalent level.
The following competencies are required for the candidate to be successful in this position: must be self-motivated: must be innovative; must have an in-depth understanding of national and global botanical garden management; advanced knowledge of legislation pertaining to both in situ and ex situ biodiversity conservation; must be in possession of a valid driver’s license and must be willing to travel nationally and internationally. The successful candidate will be required to acquire a Senior Management Service Pre-Entry Certificate offered by National School of Government before assumption of duty.
Key Performance Responsibilities include:
• Provide strategic direction in the management, development and expansion of South Africa’s National Botanical Gardens Division and their associated conservation estates.
• Provide strategic leadership in the development and implementation of South Africa’s National Botanical Garden Expansion Strategy (2019 to 2030).
• Strategically oversee the management of living collections in National Botanical Gardens. This includes their record management, accessibility, display, research, knowledge generation, dissemination and interpretation.
• Manage strategic partnerships (managed network responsibilities) as they relate to national botanical gardens.
• Strategically lead the implementation of SANBI’s interpretation programme across all national botanical gardens.
• Strategically oversee the maintenance and development of infrastructure projects as they pertain to SANBI’s national botanical gardens and contribute towards enhancing and realizing the gardens’ tourism and commercial revenue potential.
• Strategically lead the implementation of off site (ex situ) plant conservation projects across national botanical gardens as well as the integration with on site (in situ) plant conservation projects.
• Promote human capital development, change management and transformation in the division, including effective implementation of staff development programmes, succession management and SANBI’s Horticultural Career Ladder.
• Strategically lead and manage the development, monitoring and implementation of the Division’s contribution to SANBI’s Corporate Strategic Plan (CSP), Annual Performance Plan (APP) and Annual Operational Plan (AOP).
• Ensure proper governance, planning, reporting, performance management, including effective occupational health and safety, risk management and compliance of all national botanical gardens to applicable national and international legislation.
• Facilitate resource mobilisation that supports the maintenance and development of the National Botanical Gardens Division.
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