About South African National Parks (SANParks)

South African National Parks (SANParks) is the organization responsible for managing South Africa’s 19 national parks. Established in 1926, its primary mandate is to oversee the conservation of the country’s biodiversity, landscapes, and heritage. The organization promotes nature-based tourism to both local and international visitors. The income from these commercial operations helps fund conservation efforts.

The Organisation requires the services of a Principal Planner in the Cape Region. This position will report to the Manager: Park Planning and will be based at Regional Office, Cape Town.

Requirements

• Degree (NQF Level 7) in conservation management/ Town & Regional Planning and or/ Environmental Studies.
• 4- 6 years relevant experience Private Environmental Consulting, Local, Provincial or National Governments, or Conservation NGOs.
• Map generation and GIS skills.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Valid Driver License.
• Own vehicle as the position involves extensive travel.
• Must be physically fit.

Knowledge & Skills Required:

• Report Writing.
• Planning & Liaison.
• Leadership within projects.
• Good communication & Conflict resolution.
• People development and empowerment.
• Programme and project management.
• Financial management for projects.
• Change management.
• Problem solving and analysis.

Added Advantage:

• Post Graduate Degree
• Valid Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association (EAPA-SA) Registration.
• Valid South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) Registration.

Responsibilities

Planning and Land Use:

• Prepare and coordinate planning inputs for inclusion in municipal integrated plans and spatial development frameworks.
• Comment on EIAs, Municipal Land Use Planning By-Laws and Land Use applications in Park buffer zones.
• Coordinate and implement public participation processes for formal planning and environmental application processes, where required by legislation, under the oversight of the Manager: Park Planning.
• Attend and represent SANParks at various planning and land use meetings/engagements.
• Compile consolidated sensitivity maps using specialist input and available GIS information.
• Environmental and Heritage Compliance
• Support the implementation of environmental and heritage compliance within Park operations, e.g. Environmental Authorisations, Water Use Licenses, EMPs, Heritage approvals required.
• Inspect and monitor various projects and undertake site visits at various National Parks across the Cape Region.
• Maintain a register of planning and environmental compliance risks, appeals, authorisations, agreements, and conditions relevant to the Region, and provide regular status updates to the Manager: Park Planning.
• Ensure that operational decisions and advice are lawful and based on scientific information, sustainability principles and best practices.

Operational Support:

• Assist Park and regional management in keeping abreast of planning, environmental and heritage legislation.
• Assist with Park expansion and land consolidation initiatives and strategies.
• Assist with Park Management Plan revisions and stakeholder engagement in the Cape Region Parks.
• Disseminate information to all relevant park personnel regarding development decisions and impacts.

Partnerships and Development:

• Provide technical planning input to the establishment of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and concession developments within the park.
• Undertake first-line technical screening of external development and activity proposals affecting the park or buffer zones and provide recommendations to the Manager: Park Planning.
• Provide project coordination and planning support to Parks.
• Assist the Manager: Park Planning with stakeholder engagement in the Cape Region.

Management of Resources:

• Support the implementation of departmental priorities.
• Develop and implement efficiency measures to ensure optimum capacity utilisation and performance.
• Support the management of human, physical and financial resources in line with the organisational policies, processes, and procedures.

Please Note

The remuneration package includes an all -inclusive Cost to Company salary based on salary scale of Grade D2. The successful candidate must provide for their own accommodation as official accommodation is not available in the park.

Applicants in possession of foreign qualification are to submit evaluated results by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA).