Local recruitment: Project Officer: Freshwater Stewardship

WWF is the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisation, with over 6 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans 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 South Africa is a national office that is part of the WWF network. We 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.

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.

BACKGROUND:

WWF-SA seeks to appoint a Project Officer: Freshwater Stewardship to support and contribute to the overall objectives of freshwater ecosystem stewardship. This role aims to strengthen technical support for strategic water stewardship and catchment management, including spatial planning, monitoring, and data management. Support freshwater citizen science and community engagement. Conduct research on freshwater ecosystems. Contribute to communications, knowledge sharing, and learning across WWF priority landscapes to promote effective water resource management and local custodianship.

The Project Officer: Freshwater Stewardship will play a key role in supporting research, citizen science initiatives, stakeholder coordination, and communication of outcomes. Additionally, the Project Officer: Freshwater Stewardship will support and facilitate spatial mapping and data management systems linked to freshwater systems to inform planning and decision-making, alongside regular freshwater monitoring to establish a robust evidence base for effective catchment management and foster local custodianship of water resources.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Contribute to strategic Water Stewardship & Catchment Management technical support

• Support the field-based teams in the WWF priority landscapes.
• Contribute to freshwater ecosystem management within WWF priority landscapes working with ABC teams.
• Contribute to monitoring and reporting of freshwater and biodiversity outcomes.
• Promote knowledge management, use of freshwater tools and learning on freshwater ecosystem management.
• Maintain and update project databases related to catchment activities and indicators.
• Contribute to spatial planning. prioritization and landscape project management in WWF priority landscapes.

2. Engaging Youth through Freshwater Citizen Science Monitoring & Local Custodianship

• Support  the implementation of citizen science freshwater monitoring initiatives across WWF priority landscapes.
• Engage communities, schools, and stakeholders to build awareness and participation in water quality monitoring.
• Build custodianship through targeted engagement, training, and support materials.

3. Research & Technical Support

• Collect, manage, and analyse environmental data to inform catchment interventions.
• Support technical input into catchment management strategies and restoration efforts.

4. Communications & Knowledge Sharing

• Support the production of communication materials including blogs, social media updates, fact sheets, reports, and brochures.
• Support the facilitation of learning journeys in the priority landscapes.
• Provide in-house training and capacity building to the Landscape Teams. 

5. Administrative & Logistical Coordination

• Coordinate and convene meetings, workshops, and events including logistical arrangements and minute-taking.
• Maintain project records and ensure timely support for procurement and logistics.
• Provide ad hoc administrative support.

6. Facilitation

• Assist in facilitation during engagements, field visits, and learning exchanges.
• Capture key insights, take photographs, and produce following events.

Minimum Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or postgraduate qualification in Environmental Science, Water Resource Management, Ecology, Geography or related field.
• One year relevant experience in water and biodiversity stewardship, freshwater ecology, community engagement, or environmental education.
• Experience working in rural community contexts and catchment management.
• Demonstrated project coordination and administrative experience.
• Strong communication skills, particularly in developing content for different audiences.
• Experience in GIS and data management will be advantageous.
• Valid Driver’s License with experience in off-road 4×4.
• Competency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and online platforms.
• Knowledge of GIS, database management, and data analysis skills desirable.
• Fluency in English and at least two (IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, Sesotho).
• Public Speaking skills: representing projects at forums
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently and within a team.
• Meticulous attention to detail, time management, and organisational skills.
• Ability to multitask in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
• Conflict Resolution skills: Mediating community or stakeholder disputes
• Uphold WWF’s values: Courage, Collaboration, Integrity, Respect, and Inclusivity.

To apply, please submit a detailed CV and cover letter combined into a single document, fully motivating the relevant skills, experience, and creativity you can bring to the role. Kindly include the names, current email addresses, and telephone numbers of three relevant references.