The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is one of the largest biodiversity conservation organisations in southern Africa, with a rich portfolio of projects and programmes across the region.
The EWT seeks to employ a Technical Writer in its Conservation Planning and Science Unit (CPSU). The Technical Writer will work within a broader team to drive the mobilisation of resources from trusts, foundations, bilateral and multilateral funding agencies, government and public sector institutions, tenders, and any other potential sources requiring technical input. This position will suit an early to middle career conservationist who is motivated, hard-working, and keen to make a difference.
Main responsibilities:
Study and understand the history, structure, strategies, and financial needs of the EWT’s programmes and support services departments.
Research and identify relevant technical funding opportunities from various platforms and maintain this information in an accessible database of all funding agencies, funding applications, and all other related information.
Communicate timeously and effectively with all relevant staff the potential for submission of funding applications and awards to relevant grant-makers and manage the process of proposal development, submission, monitoring, and award.
Assist EWT staff to develop, draft, edit, write, and submit timeous, relevant, effective funding applications to the various sources. Develop and interrogate detailed and accurate budgets.
Maintain positive relationships with funders and other important stakeholders and respond to internal and external queries on drafted and submitted proposals.
Manage and ensure availability of all background documentation, records, files, and data for proposal submission.
Support the Head of Conservation and Programme Managers in developing robust project work plans to support grant writing processes, and support the CPSU to drive multi-project, -programme or -partner submissions, where necessary, to maximise chances of success.
Work with staff to submit nominations for awards and prizes to recognise EWT achievements.
Provide support, as required, for the implementation of ad hoc pieces of work to support the delivery of the CPSU strategy.
Qualifications, experience, and competencies required:
A minimum of a graduate degree (MSc) in conservation science, ecology, or a relevant environmental field
Three years’ proven experience in the sector
Demonstrable proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite tools
Proven and excellent technical writing skills
An exceptionally organised and competent person with extremely good attention to detail
A passion for conservation
The ability to work well as part of a team, both in person, and remotely with field-based EWT staff
An unfailing determination to meet deadlines, sometimes under high pressure and/or at short notice
A desire to learn and grow as an individual
Excellent communication skills in English
Interpersonal skills:
Self-motivated, with strong people skills and an approachable manner
Adaptable and flexible application of skills in the working environment
Disciplined, innovative, and energetic
The ability to work both independently and as part of a team
The Endangered Wildlife Trust is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are requested to submit a CV and a detailed motivation as to how and why they would be the best possible candidate for the post. Applicants who have not been contacted within ten days of the closing date must please assume that their applications were unsuccessful. The EWT reserves the right not to make an appointment. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence and in compliance with POPIA regulations. To apply, please email your CV and a detailed motivation letter of why you are the best candidate for this position, plus contact details of at least three references to Kabelo Manaka on [email protected]
For more about the Endangered Wildlife Trust, refer to www.ewt.org.za