Policy Advisor (Water and Ecological Infrastructure) (Ecological Infrastructure for Water Security Project) via LinkedIn

Policy Advisor: Water and Ecological Infrastructure (Salary level 12) (Ecological Infrastructure for Water Security Project) Contract Position ending 31 March 2023 Pretoria National Botanical Garden The South African National Biodiversity Institute requires a highly motivated team player to lead SANBIs work on mainstreaming ecological infrastructure in policy and legislation in the water sector, including a focus on financial mechanisms for investment in ecological infrastructure for water security. The work forms part of the Ecological Infrastructure for Water Security (EI4WS) project, a multi-stakeholder project being implemented over five years, nationally and in demonstration catchments in two provinces. The project is funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) through the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). Please Note: 1) Application forms obtainable from our SANBI website www.sanbi.org/jobs and attach the CV together with a letter motivating why the applicant should be favourably considered for the position and confirming that the minimum qualifications are met (applicants lacking evidence of relevant experience will not be considered) 2) A skills test and competency assessment 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 may result in your application not being considered. 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 currently be given to candidates from the designated groups. SANBI offers an all-inclusive annual salary package ranging from R707 557.00 to R990 581.00 Contact Mr. Steve Mahlangu or, preferably, forward the completed application form (available from www.sanbi.org/jobs) a letter, certified copies of qualifications and concise CV via e-mail to recruitmentptasanbi.org.za. Postal applications are to be addressed to the Assistant Director: Human Resources, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Private Bag X101, Silverton, 0001. Candidates are expected to be available for interviews on a date and time as determined by SANBI. If no response has been received within 30 days of the closing date, candidates may consider their applications unsuccessful. The position requires a postgraduate qualification in a relevant field including but not limited to natural sciences, water resource management, economics, finance, environmental management, sustainable development studies. A minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience is required, including experience in providing complex policy inputs and advice, managing and facilitating workshops and communities of practice, and engaging and managing relationships with stakeholders. Experience in project management, including budgeting and procurement, is required. The incumbent must demonstrate good knowledge of the concept of ecological infrastructure and its application in policy, legislation and programmes to date in South Africa. Knowledge and understanding of policy and legislation in the environmental management and water sectors in South Africa, relating to, for example, water pricing, freshwater ecosystems and catchment management, is required. In addition, the incumbent should have knowledge of institutional arrangements and key challenges in the biodiversity, natural resource management and water sectors in South Africa. Familiarity with spatial planning and prioritisation tools for water-related ecosystems and ecological infrastructure would be an advantage. The successful candidate must demonstrate excellent analytical and conceptual abilities, advanced organisational skills, the ability to maintain sound interpersonal relations, problem-solving ability, and ability to communicate complex content clearly both verbally and in writing. The incumbent must have an excellent computer literacy as well as be in possession of a valid Code B (unendorsed) drivers license with one-year practical driving experience. Key responsibilities: Lead SANBIs policy-related work in the water sector; Lead the implementation of the work on financial mechanisms for investing in ecological infrastructure for water security; Direct and support the implementation of ecological infrastructure-related policy at the level of the demonstration catchments in the EI4WS project; Support linkages across the components of the EI4WS project, with other policy work in SANBI, and across partner institutions; Reporting and project management.