Director: Climate Change Adaptation
Job details
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is looking for a highly motivated individual to provide strategic leadership and direction, and champion SANBI’s programme of work on climate change adaptation. This will include providing technical leadership for bridging science, policy and practice interface associated with the biodiversity climate change nexus, and supporting resource mobilisation efforts associated with SANBI’s accreditation with the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund. This position requires a postgraduate degree in Social Sciences/ Life Sciences/Natural Sciences/Ecology/Biology/Botany or equivalent and relevant postgraduate qualification at NQF level 8. A relevant postgraduate qualification at NQF level 9 will be an added advantage. This position also requires a minimum of 10 years of work experience in the relevant field, 5 years of which should be at middle management level. The successful candidate will be required to acquire a Senior Management Service Pre-entry Certificate offered by National School of Government, before assumption of duty. The following competencies are critical for the candidate to be successful in this position: technical expertise in biodiversity and climate change adaptation, comprehensive knowledge and experience in the development and oversight/ implementation of large donor funded projects, in a multi-disciplinary context that includes natural resource management, biodiversity and or climate change adaptation, knowledge and experience in engaging with government and non-government stakeholders and a track record of building and managing stakeholder relationships, an understanding and experience of policies, procedures, processes, practices, systems, and frameworks related to climate change adaptation in South Africa and internationally will be advantageous. Strong leadership capabilities and management skills; professional writing and editing skills; strong project management skills; proven ability to think strategically, analyse information logically, and exercise sound judgement; ability to work effectively both independently and as a team member whilst being reliable, quality and cost conscious; a clear-thinker who is able to solve complex and challenging problems; advanced planning, organizing, interpersonal skills; excellent communication skills (both verbal and written); computer literacy and experience in the application of software tools including (MS Word, MS Project, PowerPoint, Excel, Internet and Outlook). The possession of a valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel nationally and internationally is essential. Key Performance Responsibilities include:
- Provide leadership and direction in the development of SANBI’s strategy and building of institutional capacity for climate change adaptation and provide strategic inputs into SANBI-wide processes and procedures;
- Lead the development of SANBI’s proposal development pipeline in support of resource mobilisation for climate change adaptation, and processes to strengthen the institutional and enabling environment for this work;
- Provide strategic leadership for SANBI’s and South Africa’s programme of work in Ecosystem based Adaptation, across the science, policy and implementation interface;
- Facilitate climate change or ecosystem based adaptation for sustainable development, reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience to climate change in multiple sectors as human settlements, health, water and biodiversity, disaster risk reduction and early warning systems;
- Bridge the science policy interface for climate change adaptation;
- Support the coordination and implementation of SANBI climate change adaptation programmes;
- Maintain relationships with national and international partners;
- Facilitate team management, Human Capital Development, change and transformation within the Directorate; and
- Ensure proper governance, effective risk management and compliance to applicable legislation.
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