Chemonics International seeks a Biodiversity Advisor for the USAID-funded Resilient Waters Program. This five-year program aims to build more resilient and water secure Southern African communities and ecosystems through improved management of transboundary natural resources and increased access to safe drinking water and sanitation services. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world. The positions will be based in Pretoria, South Africa. Fluency in English is required for the position.
The Biodiversity Advisor will lead as well as supervise program activities to promote biodiversity conservation, ecosystem resilience, and improved natural resources management in key biodiversity areas of the program’s footprint. He or she will use knowledge of proven climate change adaptation strategies to promote climate-resilient policies and planning at the regional, national, and local levels. He or she will help key institutions improve critical habitat management, mitigate and monitor threats to biodiversity, and apply more resilient practices to biodiversity conservation approaches.
Building on established relationships, he or she will work with Resilient Waters’ partners, target municipalities, and local authorities to ensure biodiversity considerations are entrenched in their systems and policies. Illustrative tasks and activities include developing and/or conducting freshwater biodiversity and wildlife monitoring programs, strategic environmental assessments and climate change adaptation strategies; identifying opportunities for data-sharing and enhanced integrated monitoring; facilitating private sector integration and innovative finance into river basin management approaches; developing and strengthening management plans for key protected areas and buffer areas; collaborating with communities to identify and facilitate implementation of co-management approaches; working with key stakeholders to apply information-based land-use decision-making.
Requirements:
Advanced degree in conservation biology, biodiversity, natural resources management, environmental sciences, ecology, or a related field.
A minimum of 10 years of direct work experience in integrated natural resources management, systematic biodiversity planning and conservation, transboundary river basin management, and/or climate change adaptation; more than 10 years of relevant experience preferred.
Expertise supporting and implementing biodiversity and ecosystem monitoring and data reporting to improve conservation planning and strategies.
Experience collaborating with government agencies, host-county governments and counterparts, NGOs, international donor agencies, and other stakeholders in southern Africa and have strong connections with SADC, OKACOM, or other key Resilient Waters counterparts.
Proven ability to plan and manage activities in line with a work plan, indicators, and budget; and demonstrated ability to manage staff, consultants, subcontractors, and grantees.
Excellent communication, management, planning and coordination skills, including coordinating complex programs and working with multidisciplinary teams. Demonstrated capacity to work independently and in a collaborative environment as well as show initiative and self-motivation to lead and develop tasks to achieve results.
Ability to travel occasionally on a short-term basis. Excellent English reading, writing and verbal skills required.
To apply to this position, please use this link: APPLY
Resilient Waters reserves the right to not fill the position.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, or other non-merit factors. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.