PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The WILDOCEANS Programme of the WILDTRUST (https://wildtrust.co.za/) is implementing a project in iSimangaliso MPA focused on building socio-ecological resilience to climate change impacts through ecosystem-based adaptation approaches, funded by Blue Action Fund and other donor partners. The project focuses on four main interventions: 1) establishing effective, sustainable management for the MPA and its estuaries, 2) restoration of climate-critical ecosystems, which are currently degraded or severely impacted, 3) increasing resilience of vulnerable people using nature-based climate-adaptation solutions, and 4) improving knowledge and capacity for ecosystem-based adaptation approaches for enhancing socio-ecological resilience in and around a financially sustainable MPA.
An important component of the project, funded by The Light Foundation, focuses on the most vulnerable and impoverished women and children in three rural communities (villages) located on the coast at iSimangaliso Wetland Park in the
uMkhanyakude District of the province of KwaZulu-Natal which is in the most under-developed district in South Africa.
Key responsibilities/ Duties include:
• Report to the Project Site Community Manager to assist with the establishment and development of Early Child Development Centres, after-school care and support, libraries, bakeries with cafés, arts and craft centres, at three
Community Resource centres (Hubs) at the 3 rural villages
• Manage all the operations and supervise the staff of the above–mentioned facilities
• Organise and facilitate training for the appointed vulnerable women to work at the ECDCs, bakeries, cafés, arts and crafts centres, and libraries as well as business opportunity training for the vulnerable women
• Facilitate and manage the provision of support to vulnerable households in the villages, including water provisioning, energy efficient cooking mechanisms and home gardening initiatives.
• Proactively engage with donors, stakeholders, social development and education networks to maximise the delivery of the project impacts
Qualifications and Experience
• Degree/ Diploma in Health, Education, Social Development, or equivalent disciplines.
• Minimum 4 years experience.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English and isiZulu
• A driver’s license is essential and the willingness to drive long distances
• Candidate must be proactive, organized, able to multitask, individually accountable, able to work under pressure, and willing to work overtime
• Good communication, stakeholder engagement and writing skills
We are looking for a compassionate, driven, dynamic productive individual, who is committed to helping people, particularly women and children, to join the WILDOCEANS team. Good relationship, team-building and communication skills, a strong work ethic and the ability to work both independently and effectively are essential qualities for this position.
Based: iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Duration: Fixed-term contract for 36 months
Start date: 01 June 2024 but preferably a candidate that can start as soon as possible.
Remuneration: Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience
TO APPLY: Submit a cover letter with a 2-page CV, and a minimum of 3 references to buhlem@wildtrust.co.za by 02 May 2024. Late applications may be disregarded. Should you not receive an invitation to an interview by 30 May 2024, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.
WILDTRUST reserves the right to vary the requirements and not to fill this position.
WILDTRUST (registered as the Wildlands Conservation Trust - IT No: 4329/1991/PMB)