WWF South Africa is a national office that is part of the WWF network. They are a local NGO that has worked for 50 years with the aim of inspiring all South Africans to live in harmony with nature, for the benefit of our country and the wellbeing of all our people. WWFs work is for nature, for you.
Based in Newlands (Cape Town), Braamfontein (Johannesburg) or White River (Mpumalanga) – WWF seeks to appoint a
SENIOR MANAGER: WILDLIFE PROGRAMME
WWF is looking for a highly results-oriented leader to drive vibrant engagement in the wildlife sector and deliver WWF’s intended conservation impact. The successful candidate needs to be able to oversee and build on WWF’s current portfolio of work, maintain and develop productive and lasting partnerships, lead a diverse and dispersed team and co-develop innovative approaches across sectors at the interface of wildlife conservation. We are looking for a technical expert with a deep and proven understanding of threatened species recovery and management, sustainable use of natural resources, wildlife economy development and inclusive purpose driven community engagement. The Wildlife Programme is composed of highly competent and dynamic individuals working in dispersed teams across multiple themes. This position will require extensive national and some regional / international travel.
The Senior Manager will be responsible for the following duties:
• Provide strategic thought leadership to WWF South Africa’s Wildlife Programme (and WWF International Wildlife Practise).
• Maintain key networks and participate in partnership processes underpinning wildlife conservation in South Africa.
• Manage the proper functioning of the Wildlife Programme in line with set organisational policies, procedures and delegated authority.
• Assist with staff development, mentorship and transformation of the staff and, where relevant, partners linked to the Wildlife Programme.
• Build sustainable funding streams to continue implementation of the Wildlife Programme of work towards WWF Strategy 2025 and WWF International Wildlife Practise Goals.
• Work with the Strategic Communications team to develop internal and external communication material regarding the Wildlife Programme to meet Programme goals and broaden and engage constituencies.
• Serve as WWF-SA’s spokesperson in engagement with media on matters of Wildlife.
• Perform further duties as required to achieve key outcomes.
The Senior Manager must meet the following criteria:
• Postgraduate qualification (PhD level preferred, but master’s as the minimum) in wildlife management, conservation biology, landscape ecology, resource economics or related discipline.
• A demonstrated understanding of the complexities of the different sectors of wildlife conservation in South Africa based on at least 10 years of experience.
• Working knowledge of the international NGO wildlife conservation sector, with proven exposure and productive networks within government, private and additional civil society partnerships.
• At least 7 years’ experience in managing staff and overseeing operational responsibilities of a team coordinating both professional and administrative staff members.
• Demonstrated track record of successful project management and oversight.
• Widely acknowledged as a thought leader and strategist.
• Demonstrable technical experience in most of the following areas: species management, illegal wildlife trade, sustainable use, biodiversity and wildlife economy, and the inclusion of communities in natural resource management.
• Proven ability to secure project funding including successful proposal development and maintaining strong reporting relationships with international government partners including US, UK, EU and other key partnerships.
• Understanding USAID or other public sector funding processes would be highly advantageous.
• A clear understanding of the contemporary national and international policy imperatives to South Africa’s environmental challenges and specifically related to the wildlife sector.
• Ability to inspire people (in government, business and civil society) to act on the challenges facing wildlife conservation.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to convey complex environmental issues in a powerful way to diverse audiences.
• Capacity to act as a spokesperson on wildlife conservation for WWF South Africa including proven experience in radio, television and print interviews.
• A strong command of English as a working language is essential with an additional South African language.
How to apply
View the full job description and application instructions on the Vacancies page at www.actionappointments.co.za and email your application by Friday 16th June 2023 to [email protected]