General Manager: Regional Integration and Planning

Park: Kruger National Park

Description:

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for the position of General Manager: Regional Integration and Planning in the Kruger National Park reporting to the Managing Executive: Kruger National Park. The successful candidate must be highly motivated, possess exceptional strategic, sustainable development, land use and conservation management skills, and work in a diverse socio-ecological environment. The position can be based in Skukuza, or remotely at Phalaborwa or Hoedspruit.
Paterson Grade: E-Lower

Purpose:

To oversee the Regional Integration and planning programme of the Kruger National Park (KNP), inclusive of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area, Integrated land use and Catchment Management Programmes.

Applicants in possession of foreign qualifications to submit evaluated results by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
NB. The appointment will be made in accordance with SANParks employment equity plan.

Interested persons who meet the above-stated requirements should forward their applications letters, detailed Curriculum Vitae and qualifications certified within the last 3 months to the following address:
Kruger National Park
Human Capital Management
Attention: Sherlock Shabangu
Private Bag X402
SKUKUZA
1350
Tel No: (013) 735 4308
Email: Sherlock.shabangu@sanparks.org

Applicants in possession of foreign qualifications are to submit evaluated results by the South African Qualification Authority.
If you have not been responded to within 14 days of the closing date, please accept that your application was not successful.

Requirements:

• A Master of Science, -Sustainable Development, -Environmental Economics, -Environmental Policy or similar as a minimum, with a PhD being as an added advantage.
• 8 – 10 years of experience in conservation planning, sustainable development, land use planning or management, environmental policy, or management in mid to senior management,
• Experience in the management of Protected Areas and a range of stewardship arrangements
• Experience in conservation-compatible land use planning and sector integration, through a range of governance arrangements with state, private and community structures
• Extensive knowledge of Protected Area Management Planning, development of Management Plans and Management effectiveness tracking, reporting and implementation of required interventions
• Experience in private, community and state-managed Contractual and Cooperative arrangements
• Experience in Transfrontier Conservation Areas, UNESCO Man and Biosphere programmes, Catchment Management Agencies and Bioregional Planning will be an added advantage.
• Good knowledge of relevant legislation, and public participation processes, with a basic knowledge of GIS being an added advantage
• Demonstrated strategic planning and leadership experience
• Demonstrated conflict management skills and experience
• Relationship building and management of multiple and diverse stakeholders, and demonstrated ability to lead a diverse team in a related field
• An ability to innovate, inspire and a passion for achieving conservation and compatible socio-economic outcomes that benefit society and nature
• Extensive experience in mobilising funding, financial management and implementing large complex donor-funded projects and programmes
• Relevant programme & project management experience, including GEF, GIZ and other funding programmes
• Sound organisational, administrative and negotiation skills
• Be fully computer literate with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office software packages such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Be in possession of a valid driver’s licence (Code 08)
• Be able to prepare well-presented management and operational reports.
• Risk management and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently
• Willingness to work long and irregular hours as well as extensive travelling
• Good communication skills – written & verbal, interpersonal and analytical and technical report writing skills

Responsibilities:

Strategic planning and management

• Coordinate the KNP Regional Integration Programme with internal and external partners, in support of landscape and local conservation-compatible outcomes
• To keep abreast of and to provide inputs into International, National, District and Local Strategic frameworks, and to embed the KNP Regional Integration framework within these
• To provide strategic oversight and support to the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) programme
• Promote strategic collaboration with the UNESCO Kruger-2-Canyons and Vhembe Man and Biosphere programmes, IUCMA, Catchment and Bioregional Planning initiatives
• Identify and support innovative and sustainable conservation and rural economic funding solutions, in support of the GKSDP outcomes

Programme and Project Management

• Oversee the implementation of the Greater Kruger Strategic Development Programme (GKSDP), inclusive of the Integrated land use, Catchment Management and the GLTFCA Cooperative Arrangements Programme with private, state and community protected and conservation areas
• Plan, develop and implement conservation-compatible socio-economic development programmes through strategic partnership arrangements
• Oversee the planning and implementation of the KNP Land Inclusion and Stewardship programme
• Oversee and support the operational implementation of the GLTFCA programmes through a range of governance arrangements
• Oversee the programme management of various GEF (GEF 6 and GEF 7) and other funding programmes
• Oversee the KNP Management Plan implementation, review and Management effectiveness tracking
• Provide support to the KNP land matter programme

Financial and Administrative management

• Device, compile and manage internal and external budgets, in line with the PFMA and other funder and legislative requirements
• Monitor financials and assets according to appropriate policies and the legislative framework
• Stakeholder arrangements
• Identify, develop and maintain strategic partnerships to achieve Regional integration objectives: conservation compatible sector integration; area integrity management; restoration of natural resources; integrated catchment management; District and Local municipal collaboration; K2C and Vhembe Biosphere arrangements
• Strengthen relationships with neighbouring communities in support of regional integration outcomes
• Foster and maintain excellent inter-departmental relations

Human capital management

• Provide effective leadership with the internal and external teams
• Promote cohesion and a culture of high performance and ethics
• Compile HCM plans, performance contracts, staff development plans and staffing requirements