CapeNature is looking for an Enforcement Specialist to join our Biodiversity Conservation unit. This position is suited to a competent, analytical, dedicated, innovative and professional conservationist who understands the relationship between the conservation and management of biodiversity, CapeNature’s legal obligations, mandate, and environmental protection.

The successful candidate will report to the Capability Manager: Biodiversity Conservation in the Biodiversity Capabilities Directorate of CapeNature.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead the development and integration of biodiversity compliance and enforcement knowledge, planning and monitoring systems

To lead and develop strategic plans focusing on areas of high conservation value, which requires compliance and enforcement action to achieve the necessary conservation objectives.
Lead and support the development of biodiversity plans and strategies as well as the compilation of monitoring and assessment reports.
Lead and direct team/s to produce outputs/outcomes, research, policy and planning in line with organisational strategy.
Formulate key research and policy-related strategies to address real world problems and user requirements.
Contribute to the development of systems, decision-making processes, models, policies, strategies, and protocols to support the implementation of strategic adaptive management.

Develop, integrate and implement Biodiversity Legislation and Policy

Lead and contribute to the development of biodiversity legislation and policies.
Solve biodiversity-related challenges with policy or planning to alleviate the problem or alter the perception of the problem.
Provide specialist recommendations on applications and enquiries.
Review and recommend compliance and enforcement reports and submissions.
Review and recommend compliance and enforcement designations.
Review, comments and consolidate comments on legislation and policies.
Prepare effective and legally defensible directives, notices and legal
correspondence and assisting in the drafting of enforcement court applications, where necessary.

Generate, develop, and integrate impact (technologies, science, and innovation) for effective Compliance and Enforcement by CapeNature

Generate and disseminate evidence-based knowledge.
Conduct, support, and coordinate biodiversity crime enforcement investigations to gain knowledge and enhance understanding, in an applied manner or by using research to assist in decision-making and problem solving.
Coordinate, consolidate and compile technical reports.
Draft and provide statements in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act and additional witness statements after plant species are identified.
Testify in court.
Contribute to, develop, expand, maintain, and improve inventories, collections, and databases.
Conduct, facilitate, evaluate, and report on surveillance, monitoring, and research.
Contribute to biodiversity mainstreaming and formal stakeholder engagements in line with organisational strategy.
Report on results of research, surveillance and monitoring in technical and formal reports, conference presentations, public or institutional lectures, debates and panels, and information leaflets.

Engage and collaborate in strategic partnerships and National and Provincial Forums

Liaise and collaborate with international / domestic environmental authorities as well as tertiary education institutions, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders on compliance and enforcement capacity-development initiatives.
Engage with institutions, stakeholders, and partners in the landscape to investigate a voluntary compliance approach, build capacity and to ensure a pro-active compliance and enforcement service in operations.
Develop collaborative partnerships to leverage optimal output including the development of funded projects to support the strategic objectives of CapeNature.
Develop and maintain collaborations and partnerships to augment capacity and capability.
Develop partnerships aimed at harnessing unique expertise or capabilities which exist in partner organisations, and which are rare or unique in South Africa.
Attract funding (investment, collaboration, or sponsorship) or secure partnerships through the provision of technical and specialist expertise in the preparation of proposals or agreements, networking and lobbying with appropriate partners to generate appropriate funds/co-funding/support to pursue the strategic objectives of CapeNature.

Develop and deploy biodiversity compliance and enforcement capability and capacity

Initiate and monitor the procurement of external goods and services required to support the delivery of environmental compliance and enforcement capacity development and operational initiatives.
Provide professional decision, advisory, regulatory and liaison support functions.
Increase biodiversity crime enforcement capacity within CapeNature and amongst external law enforcement partners.
Provide appropriate support to CapeNature personnel and external law enforcement role-players, related to law enforcement procedures and policies involving enforcement related activities.
Provide capacity development support to operational projects of national, provincial, and municipal EMIs and other compliance and enforcement role-players.
Plan, implement, facilitate, and participate in national and provincial environmental compliance and enforcement (both basic and specialized) capacity-building programmes for key role-players, including national, provincial, and municipal EMIs, prosecutors and other compliance and enforcement role-players.
Develop advocacy and awareness material.
Provide strategic support to CapeNature personnel related to compliance and enforcement procedures, guidelines, and policies.
Develop compliance and enforcement training curriculum.
Provide training, mentoring and skills development of CapeNature staff and stakeholders in the landscape to ensure enforcement and compliance.
Enhance capabilities via the development and deployment of innovative measures and general ecological competencies.
Deploy innovation to develop human and knowledge capital towards achieving the strategic objectives of CapeNature.
Develop human capital: self, personnel, interns and post-graduate students through coaching, mentoring, work assignment, structured training, and appropriate supervision to maximise human capabilities in line with the needs of CapeNature.
Develop, adopt, and implement improved (innovation, technology) ways of working and guide change.
Develop and improve lateral succession and progression through broadening skills sets and technical and specialist competencies.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Mandatory: Qualifications and Experience

A degree in the field of Nature Conservation and / or and / or Environmental Management (NQF 7).
Seven (7) years’ experience working in the field of nature conservation and environmental management compliance monitoring and enforcement.
Three (3) years' experience working in a leadership/management/supervisory position.
EMI Grade 2
Excellent communication in English both written and spoken.
In possession of a valid driver’s license
No criminal record

Recommended:

Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of applicable national and provincial conservation legislation and international environmental Conventions and Agreements and the ability to interpret and implement these.
Extensive knowledge and demonstrated understanding criminal procedure and administrative justice legislation.
Extensive knowledge and relevant experience in administrative enforcement, criminal procedure, criminal justice, court procedure, crime investigation and criminal case docket compilation.
Extensive knowledge and relevant experience in environmental and administrative decision-making processes.
Extensive knowledge of organizational legal mandates, duties, functions, and responsibilities as it relates to environmental management compliance monitoring and enforcement and administrative justice.
Extensive and specific knowledge of compliance and enforcement methods, procedures, policies, and the laws governing and prescribing the powers, duties and authorities of compliance and enforcement officials.
Knowledge and understanding of biodiversity conservation, natural resource management and environmental management and its related governance and regulation.
In-depth knowledge of ecological processes and biodiversity management.
Extensive knowledge and relevant experience in policy and regulatory development and strategic planning
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the biodiversity of the Western Cape, and the primary threats to biodiversity in the Western Cape
Good understanding of conservation and ecological issues in the Western Cape Province.
Proficiency in interpretation of statistical analyses applications.
Extensive knowledge and relevant experience with training principles and techniques
Extensive knowledge of report writing methods and procedures

Competencies:

Advanced analytical, strategic, and creative critical thinking skills.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, writing, reporting and presentation skills.
Advanced project planning and organizing skills, coupled with an advanced capability to work under pressure and deliver on tight deadlines.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office 365
Exceptional ability to work effectively within teams (either as a leader or as team member).
Advanced facilitation and coordination skills.
Ability to priorities and adapt, managing multiple projects, tasks, and deadlines.
Proficiency in GIS application.
Ability to work in hostile and/or hazardous environments and in adversarial situations.
Ability to prioritize and adapt, managing multiple projects, tasks, and deadlines.
Exceptional ability to interpret, apply, and communicate statutory regulations related to environmental compliance and enforcement.
Exceptional ability to analyse, interpret, revise, and implement policy and procedural guidelines.
Exceptional ability to interpret laws, administrative rules and policies and applying it to specific sets of facts.
Exceptional ability to make reasoned judgments.
Problem solving and independent decision-making ability.
Ability to present complex technical and legal material in direct understandable language to people of diverse education, language, and cultural backgrounds.
Advanced problem solving and analytical thinking skills.

Kindly note:

“*Remuneration negotiable within the range provided, depending on current remuneration package”.

It is encouraged to become a member of the CapeNature Pension Fund. In the event that you are an existing member of a Medical Aid, you are required to provide a copy of such membership registration before the commencement of your employment with CapeNature.

AS AN EMPLOYEE OF CAPENATURE, YOU WILL ENJOY:

24 days of annual leave per annual leave cycle
Comprehensive benefits for death, critical illness or injury linked to the Pension Fund for CapeNature employees
Staff discounts of up to 50% on CapeNature accommodation at reserves across the Western Cape
Opportunities for career progression and development through internal and external training interventions, and academic growth through the internal CapeNature Bursary Programme subject to Bursary Policy guidelines
Free access to CapeNature’s Wellness Partner for you and your immediate household which includes professional counselling, financial, legal and health related advice; and
The opportunity to positively impact the environment and promote a sustainable future.

Apply via: https://capenature.simplify.hr/

Closing Date: 24 June 2026

Enforcement Specialist (Level 11), Biodiversity Conservation - Cape Town Office

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