Manager: Regional Operations (Regional Ranger)

Requirements

• Degree (B-Tech) in Nature Conservation or a related field.
• At least six (6) years conservation experience in a protected area, with at least four (4) years as a Section or Senior Section Ranger.
• Five (5) years Management and Leadership experience (management and leadership experience within operations related to Protected Area management).
• Multiple firearm handling qualifications or competencies and experience in all types of firearms i.e. handgun, self-loading rifle, manually operated rifle and shotgun.
• Valid Code 08 (B) drivers’ license.
• EMI Grade 2 Designation (compulsory)

Recommended:

• Previous experience in participating, coordinating, conducting, and leading anti-poaching operations with special emphasis on Rhino and or Elephant poaching, snaring and poisoning incidents.
• Experience in constituency building related to establishing productive and beneficial relationships with Communities and relevant internal, external and sister departments and entities.
• Experience in working with informer networks and gathering intelligence.
• Extensive experience in dealing with dangerous game (through lethal control with applicable firearms) and implementing problem animal control protocols.
• Experience in active veld fire management.

Skills and Competencies:

• A genuine interest in and deep understanding of environmental issues, relevant legislation, protected area policy planning and best practices within a Protected Area.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Strong ethical practices and adherence to organisational values.
• Excellent leadership skills and the ability to motivate, mentor, grow and capacitate Senior Section Rangers.
• Diversity management skills, to create and sustain a workplace that values, respects, and leverages employee differences.
• Good organizational and time management skills.
• Problem solving and conflict resolution experience.
• High levels of discipline, accountability, and integrity.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Build a team of Senior Section Rangers that are able to respond to the challenges and changing context. Lead, mentor, grow, diversify & capacitate Senior Section Rangers. Identify and implement succession planning within Ranger Services in the Region. Improve employee value proposition by creating an environment that enables trust, ensures staff feel valued and have a high level of agency. Promote and implement change and innovation in the management of the Region.
• Regional Management: Operationalise species conservation, LLPs, Environmental Compliance, and threat mitigation plans whilst ensuring a high level of integrity in data management and reporting. Ensure high standard, spatially explicit biodiversity data is collected and collate patrol data at a regional level and ensure effective patrolling for efficient and maximum area coverage. Lead good environmental management, financial and environmental compliance, and auditing in the Region.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Coordinate biodiversity and cultural heritage management and monitoring systems in the Region. Identify activities and developments taking place outside of the Protected Area and participate and engage to prevent or mitigate negative effects of these developments on the Protected Area. Direct measures for the protection/recovery of fauna species of conservation importance for the Region. Direct measures for addressing threats from alien invasive species, encroaching, and threatening the Protected area and also from those already within the Protected Area. Direct programmes for sustainable harvesting of natural resources in the Region. Direct programmes for resolving human-wildlife conflict in the Region.
• Law Enforcement: Develop and ensure implementation of Regional operational plans for Law Enforcement (Safety & Security Plan, Environmental Compliance matters, Operating SOP’s and Procedures). Ensure Rangers are well trained regarding the enforcement of appropriate laws. Coordinate Law Enforcement and Security activities with other responsible agencies and with the judiciary for the Region, relevant to within and outside of the Protected Area at local, National and International level. Liaison and Constituency building with neighbouring Protected Areas and also Law Enforcement agencies for a collective and coordinated approach to combating all threats against the environment and Protected Areas.
• Protected Area Policy, Planning & Projects: Contribute to the participatory development of a protected area management plan using a recognised format and process. Contribute to Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) of projects and proposals affecting a protected area both inside and outside the Protected Area. Direct a structured threat assessment for the regional protected area.
• Administration: Compile and prepare formal reports on protected area activities. Ensure documentation of meetings, consultations, and negotiations. Ensure that full activity records and documentation are maintained and secured. Administration includes, Ranger Diaries, Monthly and Quarterly Reports, Legal Administration, A1 Statements, shooting incident reports, court proceedings, debriefing and ensuring counselling for the affected Rangers and environmental compliance inspections.
• People Management: Ensure suitable working conditions, welfare, health & safety and security for personnel and other protected area users. Manage the Human Capital of the Region (in terms of training, mentoring, and coaching). Selecting, training, evaluation, and accreditation of personnel (EMI, accredited qualifications). Compile HR Plans and staffing requirement for the Region. Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, appraised, and rewarded to address operational and equity objectives.
• Community Liaison & Development: Direct development of a strategy and plan for engagement by the region with local communities. Ensure proactive & reactive interactions/communication with Communities regarding the Communities role and responsibility towards mitigation of Damage Causing Animals. Ensure proactive & reactive interactions/communication with Communities regarding the Communities role and responsibility towards wider Environmental Management & best practices within the Community area.