BIODIVERSITY SPECIALIST: CITES: EASTERN REGION

The successful candidate will be responsible for, amongst others, the following specific tasks:

• Provide specialist technical advice and guidance on the implementation of biodiversity legislation, including the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004), CITES, TOPS Regulations and other applicable biodiversity legislation.
• Coordinate and provide specialist technical support for biodiversity compliance activities across designated Ports of Entry within the Region, including CITES permit administration, species identification, compliance inspections and related biodiversity matters.
• Provide specialist technical advice and support on complex biodiversity compliance and enforcement matters, including wildlife trade investigations, permit irregularities, seizures and other matters referred by operational officials.
• Promote the consistent implementation of biodiversity legislation, policies, SOPs, technical standards and operational directives across the Region through technical guidance, quality assurance and compliance reviews.
• Monitor and evaluate regional biodiversity compliance activities, analyse compliance trends and prepare technical reports and recommendations to support Regional Management and continuous improvement.
• Maintain and utilise biodiversity compliance information and reporting systems to support accurate reporting, performance monitoring and informed regional decision-making.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with DFFE, provincial conservation authorities, law enforcement agencies, prosecuting authorities and other relevant stakeholders to support biodiversity compliance and enforcement.
• Represent the Border Management Authority at relevant regional, national and international technical forums, intergovernmental structures and stakeholder engagements, as delegated.
• Develop and facilitate regional technical training, mentoring and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen biodiversity management and compliance capabilities.
• Provide specialist technical input into regional planning and the implementation of national biodiversity strategies, policies, standards and initiatives within the Region.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the Border Management Authority Act (BMA), 2020 (Act No. 2 of 2020).
• Sound knowledge of environmental legislation and its associated regulatory framework, including the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations, and other applicable biodiversity legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks.
• Sound knowledge of biodiversity management principles, species identification, CITES permit administration, wildlife trade regulation, biodiversity compliance systems and environmental enforcement practices.
• Knowledge of environmental compliance monitoring, quality assurance methodologies, compliance auditing and biodiversity risk management principles.
• Knowledge of strategic planning, performance management, monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, information management and reporting within the public sector.
• Knowledge of intergovernmental relations, stakeholder management and collaborative governance within the environmental regulatory environment.
• Knowledge of project management principles and the coordination of regional biodiversity initiatives.
• Knowledge of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999), where applicable to the management of public resources.
• Computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and other information management systems relevant to biodiversity management and environmental compliance.

Minimum requirements

• Grade 12
• An Undergraduate qualification at NQF 7 as recognised by SAQA in Biological sciences, Nature Conservation, Conservation Biology, Botany, Zoology, Environmental Management, or an equivalent qualification within the biodiversity or natural sciences field.
• Environmental Management Inspector (EMI) designation will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of five (5) years' relevant experience, obtained after the completion of an NQF Level 7 qualification, at a junior management level in biodiversity management, environmental compliance, environmental governance, conservation management, regulatory services or a related specialist environment.
• Experience in the interpretation and implementation of biodiversity legislation, including the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations and other applicable environmental legislation.
• Proven ability to provide specialist technical support and advisory services to operational officials and management on biodiversity management, environmental compliance, permit administration, species identification and related technical matters.
• Experience in coordinating biodiversity compliance activities, technical quality assurance reviews, inspections and enforcement support within an environmental regulatory environment.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating biodiversity compliance activities, analysing compliance trends and preparing technical reports and recommendations to support management decision-making.
• Experience in coordinating stakeholder engagements and maintaining collaborative working relationships with government departments, conservation authorities, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders involved in biodiversity management and environmental compliance.
• Experience in facilitating technical training, mentoring and capacity-

• A minimum of five (5) years' relevant experience, obtained after the completion of an NQF Level 7 qualification, at a junior management level in biodiversity management, environmental compliance, environmental governance, conservation management, regulatory services or a related specialist environment.
• Experience in the interpretation and implementation of biodiversity legislation, including the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations and other applicable environmental legislation.
• Proven ability to provide specialist technical support and advisory services to operational officials and management on biodiversity management, environmental compliance, permit administration, species identification and related technical matters.
• Experience in coordinating biodiversity compliance activities, technical quality assurance reviews, inspections and enforcement support within an environmental regulatory environment.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating biodiversity compliance activities, analysing compliance trends and preparing technical reports and recommendations to support management decision-making.
• Experience in coordinating stakeholder engagements and maintaining collaborative working relationships with government departments, conservation authorities, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders involved in biodiversity management and environmental compliance. 
• Experience in facilitating technical training, mentoring and capacity-
• Will be required to travel nationally and internationally.
• Flexibility in working hours will be required to meet the demands of the role.
• May be required to work overtime.
• Valid driver’s License.

The BMA is an equal opportunity employer committed to employment equity and workforce diversity preference may be given to suitably qualified candidates from designated groups in line with the BMA employment equity plan. The BMA reserves the right not to make an appointment to the advertised positions

• It is the applicant's responsibility to have all foreign qualifications evaluated by South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) confirm the appropriate NQF level and to provide proof of such evaluation.
• Shortlisted candidates may be subjected to an interview and technical assessment (s) which assesses the candidate's demonstrated professional and technical competency against the job requirements and duties).
• Candidates potentially considered suitable after the interview and technical test(s) for senior positions, will be subjected to a competency assessment (which tests the candidate's demonstrated proficiency in the professional dimensions attached to the level of the post):
• Employment suitability check will be conducted on the shortlisted candidates (credit, criminal, citizenship, employment references and qualification verifications):
• Appointment will be subjected to a mandatory vetting/security clearance appropriate to the level of the position.