This is a fixed-term contract position at the Association of Water and Rural Development (AWARD), an NGO based in Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province. This position will form part of the Blyde Restoration Project funded through the Land User Incentive programme under the Department of Environment, Forestry & Fisheries (DEFF), Chief Directorate: Natural Resource Management (NRM). The Blyde Restoration Project is aimed at supporting the restoration of degraded ecosystems, and the maintenance of these and adjoining healthy ecosystems in the upper Blyde, Klaserie & Sand Catchments, in order to sustain ecosystem services and biodiversity critical to human livelihoods in these catchments in the long term. This is in line with the DEFF NRM vision to support sustainable livelihoods for local people through integrated landscape management that strives for resilient social‐ecological systems and which fosters equity in access to ecosystem services.

Job Purpose: The incumbent in this position will support capacity development as well as GIS planning and mapping aspects of the project, with a specific focus in ecological restoration and NRM practices (as ecosystem-based adaptations). Key natural resource management practices which will be focused on includes invasive alien plant control, wetland restoration, and ecological monitoring. A further key focus will be on the development of capacity and custodianship of catchment residents (local communities, especially young people) to enhance their active involvement in sustainable NRM in the project catchments.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

  • Support collaborative planning and implementation of project activities informing ecological restoration and NRM practices,
  • Provide input and partake in technical and spatial planning, and monitoring in relation to the above activities,
  • Support the capacity development of practitioners on key technical and operational aspects of NRM practices,
  • Support mapping of invasive alien plants, wetland degradation and other forms of ecological degradation,
  • Support spatial and other monitoring of restoration interventions and their impacts,
  • Lead and support facilitation of training events, meetings and field work,
  • Provide support and mentoring to the NRM restoration teams,
  • Support development of collaborative partnerships and institutional arrangements amongst

    different stakeholders groups for collective restoration and NRM practices,

  • Report writing,
  • Data capture and management,
  • Contribute to action-research on social learning, social-ecological systems, participatory and

    co-engagement approaches within the NRM practices and related interventions for adaptation to the global change drivers.

    Qualifications, experience and key competencies: Job specific:

  • Minimum Honour’s degree in Natural Resource-, Environmental-, Biodiversity Conservation – management, or related field,
  • Knowledge of Natural Resource Management Programmes and ecological restoration,
  • Experience in Natural Resource Management Programmes and ecological restoration initiatives

    will be advantageous,

  • Intermediate or advanced skills in GIS,
  • Interest and experience in ecological fieldwork,
  • Interest or experience in participatory & co-engaged processes,
  • Interest or ability to work in complex and multi-stakeholders environment,
  • Good report writing, presentation and communications skills,
  • Knowledge and interest in social learning & systemic approaches will be advantageous,
  • Experiences and skills in community engagement processes will be advantageous.

    General:

  • Interpersonal skills: teamwork and collaborations,
  • Fluency in English (read, write, understand),
  • Preference will be given to local candidates, and fluency in Northern Sotho will be

    advantageous,

  • Computer literacy and knowledge of Microsoft office software packages,
  • Adaptability to new environments and wiliness to travel and working irregular hours,
  • Valid driver’s license (code B) is a requirement (applications without driver’s licenses will not be

    considered),

  • More than 2 years driving experience will be advantageous,
  • South African citizenship.

    Remuneration package:

  • The incumbent will receive a stipend of R7500/monthly, with a subsidised accommodation & medical aid.

Length of contract and location of work:

  • 1 year, fixed-schedule contract (with an option to renew),
  • The incumbent will be based at AWARD’s offices in Hoedspruit, Limpopo.

    Closing date: 24 November 2019

    Candidates who meet the above requirements should submit their motivational letter and resume(including at least three contactable references) at the following link:https://forms.gle/HFDiy7znUJf5Qra76. Postal applications are to be addressed to the Office Manager, Association for Water and Rural Development, P.O Box 1919, Hoedspruit, 1380. For hand deliveries, please visit our website www.award.org.za for physical address.

    Note: please include the following for your referees: a reachable mobile or telephone number and a working or valid email address.

    For any enquiries please contact Silindile Mtshali: silindile@award.org.za

    AWARD is committed to fair recruitment and selection practices and shall not discriminate on grounds of race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, family responsibility, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, political opinion, culture, language and birth.

    AWARD reserves the right to withdraw this advertisement at any time or choose not to fill this position or to employ from within the organization.