GENERAL MANAGER: REGIONAL INTEGRATION AND PLANNING (RE-ADVERTISEMENT)
Park: Kruger National Park
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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.

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

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.

CLOSING DATE: 10 JULY 2023

If you have not been responded to within 14 days of the closing date, please accept that your application was not successful.