Community Outreach Officer

The Cape Leopard Trust is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified Community Outreach Officer in the Cederberg to perform a predator conflict mitigation and environmental education role within the local farming community. The predator conflict mitigation work will include investigating and documenting livestock depredation incidents in the greater Cederberg region (on subsistence and commercial farms), as well as advising farmers on preventative measures to reduce the risk of livestock losses.

The successful candidate will manage four  verification officers who will assist with documenting depredation incidents and supporting farmers within their communities. The role will include training of the verification officers in reporting protocols and basic biodiversity data collection. The position requires comprehensive knowledge of predator behaviour and feeding patterns and the ability to record and analyse relevant data for research purposes. The candidate will also support the Environmental Education Programme by delivering presentations to the community and occasionally running the environmental education camps in the Cederberg.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish the level and distribution of livestock predation by leopards and identify high conflict areas;
• Develop a systematic system for farmers to report and record livestock depredation incidents;
• Quantify the tolerance level of farmers to livestock predation. For this a questionnaire needs to be developed and conducted;
•  Conduct presentations to create awareness about the importance of leopards and the role they play in the ecosystem;
• Reduce human wildlife conflict through the implementation of various mitigation measures;
• Test the effectiveness of the various mitigation methods;
• Work closely with CapeNature and jointly respond to depredation incident call outs;
• Establish and foster relationships with local stakeholders;
• Implement and maintain the “predator proof kraal” project in the Heuningvlei community:
• Implement the Verification Officer programme in the Heuningvlei, Kleinvlei and Martiens Rust communities;
• Assist the Cederberg Project Manager with administration duties;
• Monthly report writing and regular project updates for social media and website;
• Write project progress reports for funders and other project partners;
• Responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of project assets (i.e. vehicle, skaapwagter devices,
  camera traps);
• Be a responsible and presentable ambassador for the Trust.

Personal Skills and Attributes:

• Good leadership skills
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Ability to work well and perform under pressure
• Self-driven, organized and able to take initiative
• Resourceful, with good problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Quick-thinking with the ability to deal with crisis situations
• Excellent logistical planning and organizational skills
• Conflict resolution with a pragmatic approach
• Passionate about conservation, people and community well-being
• Innovative and creative
• Ability to live and work in remote areas
• Willingness to travel, work flexible hours, and occasionally weekends
• Willingness to support and work hand in hand with CLT research projects
• Be prepared to perform mundane tasks and physical labour
• Basic car maintenance skills (i.e. checking oil & water, tyre replacement and repair etc.)

Qualification and experience requirements:

• Honours or Masters degree in nature conservation or related field.
• 3 – 5 yrs experience in conservation related field
• Good understanding of the functioning of eco-systems, human wildlife conflict and livestock
  farming practices
• Valid code 08/B driving license and an exemplary driving record
• Experienced in driving on gravel roads (4×4 skills beneficial)
• Good presentation and communication skills
• Experience in project management
• Good report writing skills
• Computer literacy (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint)
• Excellent conversational Afrikaans a pre-requisite, good written and spoken English required,
  basic knowledge of isiXhosa beneficial
• Good working knowledge in QGIS or ArcGiS
• First-Aid Training Certificate

Individuals who feel they meet these requirements should send a CV together with a cover letter to Lana Müller, Cederberg Project Manager at cederberg@capeleopard.org.za by latest Friday 15 February 2019. Please put “COO Application” as subject line of email.

Start date: 1 April 2019 or earlier

Location: Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve, Cederberg

Remuneration: Based on qualification and experience

The Cape Leopard Trust is guided by the principles of employment equity. Information on ourorganization is available on our website: www.capeleopard.org.za If you have not received a response within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful. The Cape Leopard Trust reserves the right not to make an appointment to the position as advertised.