Local recruitment: Project Officer: Freshwater and Biodiversity 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:

The Project Officer: Freshwater and Biodiversity Stewardship provides operational and technical support to the implementation of WWF’s freshwater, agroecology, rangeland restoration, and biodiversity stewardship initiatives within the Northern Drakensberg landscape.

Reporting to the Freshwater and Biodiversity Stewardship Manager, the role ensures effective coordination of field activities, data collection, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement in line with WWF South Africa’s Strategy 2030 priorities. The Project Officer is responsible for day-to-day project delivery, administrative support, and knowledge management, ensuring that all interventions comply with WWF’s Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF) and uphold WWF’s core values of Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, Courage, and Inclusivity.

Through close collaboration with implementing partners, and community stakeholders, this position contributes to delivering measurable conservation outcomes, strengthening stewardship partnerships, and supporting adaptive management and reporting across the landscape.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Project Implementation and Coordination:

• Support the implementation of freshwater and biodiversity stewardship projects in the Northern Drakensberg, ensuring timely delivery of activities against approved work plans and budgets.
• Lead coordinating day-to-day project operations, field logistics, and partner activities in collaboration with PM: Freshwater and Biodiversity Stewardship.
• Prepare activity schedules, field visit plans, and coordination notes to ensure smooth delivery of interventions such as alien-clearing, agroecology, biodiversity stewardship spring protection, and rangeland restoration.
• Monitor progress of implementation partners and maintain regular communication to ensure outputs are delivered according to scope and schedule.
• Support data collection and verification for project indicators, ensuring alignment with WWF’s MEL systems.
• Ensure all project activities comply with WWF’s Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF).
• Report any incidents, risks, or compliance concerns immediately to the Freshwater Stewardship Manager.
• Support community engagement processes for project delivery activities.

1. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Support:

• Serve as the operational point of contact for local partners, community groups, and field contractors in the Northern Drakensberg.
• Support the planning and facilitation of stakeholder meetings, workshops, and field demonstrations.
• Help document stakeholder feedback and lessons learned from field engagements.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for partner contracting processes, ensuring compliance with WWF and donor guidelines.

1. Administrative Support:

• Support the timely submission of expense reports (ERs), disbursement contracts (DCs), and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate travel arrangements, vehicle bookings, and logistics for field activities.

1. Communication and Knowledge Management:

• Capture photos, stakeholder stories of impact and feedback, and short updates from field activities for use in communication products.
• Support preparation of PowerPoint presentations, visual updates, and meeting notes for internal and external audiences.
• Contribute to the development of communication content highlighting project milestones and impact stories.
• Promote peer-to-peer learning and sharing insights and challenges from implementation with the landscape team.
• Collect, organise, and maintain project baseline data (financial, technical, and spatial) in alignment with WWF’s ongoing monitoring and reporting templates.
• Contribute to monthly, quarterly, and annual reports by compiling implementation updates, photos, and activity summaries.
• Track field indicators such as hectares rehabilitated, springs protected, agroecology metrics, beneficiaries supported, and funds disbursed, in coordination with the MEL focal point.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of project activities, partner reports, and supporting evidence for audits and donor reporting.
• Assist in drafting case studies or short project updates for internal knowledge-sharing platforms (e.g., SharePoint).

Minimum Requirements

• Tertiary qualification in environmental sciences, water resource management, conservation or biological sciences
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in the conservation sector, including Freshwater and Biodiversity Stewardship, Protected Area Management, or Biodiversity Management.
• Proven experience in community-based project management and implementation.
• Experience in stakeholder community engagement with rural and agricultural farming communities.
• Valid driver’s license with substantial and proven experience in off-road and 4×4 driving.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Good working knowledge of GIS software, spatial data management, and mapping.
• Excellent report writing, presentation, and communication skills in English. Proficiency in isiZulu is required.
• Project management skills, including development, reporting, and administration.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and build professional relationships with diverse partners.
• A meticulous approach with keen attention to detail.
• Ability to innovate, think critically, and develop new approaches to overcome implementation barriers.
• Collaborative team player, mindful of different cultures and working styles, and able to work productively under pressure.
• Willingness to accept additional responsibility and support/mentor new staff.
• Able to drive a 4×4 vehicle comfortably for long hours.
• Must be willing to relocate to the Bergville/Winterton area.
• You recognise yourself in the values of WWF: Courage, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration and Inclusion

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.