WWF South Africa: Catchment Coordinator

The World Wide Fund for Nature –South Africa (WWF) is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation and environmental organisations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. The organisation’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which we all 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.

WWF-SA,  Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammernarbeit (GIZ) and South African Breweries (SAB) are working in partnership in this area as part of the Water Futures Partnership to enable water users to manage their shared risks and responsibilities and secure sustainable water practices.  The WWF is the managing agent of this project.

WWF South Africa seeks to appoint a Catchment Coordinator in the George area, Western Cape.

This is a six-month contract position, with a view to possibly extending the contract for at least an additional year.

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.

About the Job

Risks faced in this region include increased demand for water, climate change, invasive alien vegetation and gaps in water governance.  The person is envisaged as a role that addresses some of the grass-roots gaps in linking water users to water resources.

Responsibilities:

• Establish on-farm monitoring of surface and groundwater resources and validate monitoring data;
• Review local agricultural water management practices and identify key interventions for improvement;
• Liaison with DWA and local water committees;
• Liaison with SAB and their hops suppliers;
• Liaison with Cape Nature, the catchment management agency and local government;
• Establish a local coordinating structure to facilitate the development of local water institutions;
• Development of sustainable catchment management and intervention strategies with local water users;
• Assist with the development of alien vegetation clearing plans with multiple land-owners and oversee implementation of alien clearance;
• Develop project plans and proposals to funders to achieve stakeholder strategies.
• You will be required to network and facilitate meetings with water stakeholders, provide written reports, analyse and present water resource data and information.

Requirements:

• Relevant skills, competencies and experience in water and natural resource management, and experience of water management and institutions linked to  commercial agriculture and rural development;
• Honours degree in water management or water sciences. A postgraduate M.Sc qualification would be advantageous;
• Minimum of three years experience in multi-disciplinary project management and multi-stakeholder initiatives in the water resource management field preferably including experience in working with landowners, agricultural water use, environmental management, biodiversity stewardship and/ or groundwater management;
• Background in dealing with rural communities and agri-business, including commercial farmers, communal farmers and rural development will be advantageous;
• Have general computer literacy, with specific literacy in MS Office and email. Skills and experience in water data information management and GIS would be an added advantage;
• Valid South African resident;
• Ability (valid driver's licence - Code B) and willingness to travel throughout the George area;
• Self-starter, take the initiative, and be innovative in developing partnerships and finding solutions to situations that may arise. This should include an ability to work independently in the field, with moderate levels of supervision;
• Right personality type and relevant relational and negotiation skills to initiate and maintain relationships and formal partnerships between WWF, landowners, business enterprises, commodity groups, civil society and government;
• Ability to coordinate the development and implementation of water resource management projects;
• Strong attention to detail, specifically in field work and project management, including preparation of concise project evaluations and reports, and relevant budgets;
• Ability to represent WWF with relevant partners and stakeholders in a clear and professional manner;
• Skilled in communications (written and verbal), with the ability to facilitate identification of stakeholder needs and develop effective responses to key issues that arise. Fluency in English and Afrikaans is essential.

To apply, submit a detailed CV and motivation letter fully motivating why you should be appointed, together with the names, current e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of three relevant references to hr@wwf.org.za.

Please quote the source of this advertisement in your application - NGO Pulse Portal.

WWF seeks to promote diversity among its staff. Candidates who have not received a response within three weeks of the closing date are kindly requested to assume that their application has not been successful in this instance.  WWF-SA reserves the right not to fill this position.

For more about the WWF South Africa, refer to www.wwf.org.za.

For other vacancies in the NGO sector, refer to www.ngopulse.org/vacancies.

---------------------------------------------------------

Need to upgrade your NGO's technology capacity and infrastructure? Need software and hardware at significantly discounted prices? Refer to the SANGOTeCH online technology donation and discount portal at www.sangotech.org.