CapeNature is looking for a Compliance 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:

1. Direct and enable the development and integration of knowledge, planning and monitoring systems to advance the practice of biodiversity conservation and integrated catchment management

• To contribute to the development of strategic plans focusing on areas of high conservation value, which requires compliance action to achieve the necessary conservation objectives.
• To contribute to the development of biodiversity plans and strategies as well monitoring and assessment reports.
• Contribute to the development of systems, decision-making processes, models, policies, strategies, and protocols to support the implementation of strategic adaptive management.
• To facilitate the implementation of compliance strategies by CapeNature to ensure and regulate the sustainable use of biodiversity, mitigate, and curb the impact of unsustainable and harmful activities on biodiversity.

2. Develop and integrate effective conservation, biodiversity legislation, policies, procedures, and guidelines

• Contribute to the development of biodiversity legislation and policies.
• Provide specialist recommendations on applications and enquiries.
• Review and recommend compliance reports and submissions.
• Review and recommend compliance designations.
• Comments on legislation and policies.
• To enable development and integration of knowledge systems, planning systems and monitoring systems to improve compliance.
• To assist with the implementation of biodiversity legislation and to support the implementation of biodiversity policies by CapeNature.
• To ensure activities for CapeNature at the Ports of Entry for all legislation delegated to CapeNature are compliant.

3. Generate compliance impact through the enablement, development and integration of leading-edge technologies, practice, policy, science, and innovation

• Contribute to the generation and dissemination evidence-based knowledge.
• 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.

4. Engage, collaborate and direct engagement with strategic partners for advancing, securing and enabling the development and deployment of biodiversity compliance capabilities

•  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.
• Contribute to the development of collaborative partnerships to leverage optimal output including the development of funded projects to support the strategic objectives of CapeNature.
• 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.
• To develop strategic partnerships aimed at harnessing unique compliance expertise or capabilities.
• To engage across sectors to promote and improve biodiversity regulatory compliance of mandated legislation to improve biodiversity conservation.

5. Development of biodiversity compliance capability, capacity and the integration of innovation and technology

• Provide decision, advisory, regulatory and liaison support functions.
• Increase biodiversity crime compliance capacity within CapeNature and amongst external law enforcement partners.
• Provide appropriate support to CapeNature personnel and external law enforcement role-players, related to compliance procedures and policies involving compliance related activities.
• Provide capacity development support to operational projects of national, provincial, and municipal EMIs and other compliance role-players.
• 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.
• Provide strategic support to CapeNature personnel related to compliance procedures, guidelines, and policies.
• Develop compliance training curriculum.
• Provide training, mentoring and skills development of CapeNature staff and stakeholders in the landscape to ensure compliance.
• 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.
• To devolve internal and external compliance capacity and capability.
• To raise awareness within the regulated community regarding applicable legislation and how it relates to environmental management and biodiversity conservation.

REQUIREMENTS:

Mandatory: Qualifications and Experience

• A national diploma in the field of Nature Conservation and / or and / or Environmental Management (NQF 6).
• At least three years’ experience working in the field of nature conservation and environmental management compliance monitoring and enforcement.
• Environmental Management Inspectors (EMI) Course (Grade 2 or higher)
• Excellent communication in English both written and spoken.
• In possession of a valid driver’s license
• No criminal record

Recommended:

• Applied knowledge and understanding of nature conservation legislation and policies
• Knowledge of inspection procedures, requirements and reports
• Applied knowledge and understanding of Criminal Procedure Act and criminal law and its requirements
• Applied knowledge and understanding of related legislation (g.Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, Promotion of Access to Information Act).
• Applied knowledge and understanding of biodiversity law enforcement and human rights (i.e. Bill of Rights)
• Applied knowledge and understanding of CapeNature’s permit system as well as of CITES with regard to permits, procedures and species listings
• Applied knowledge and understanding of investigation procedures
• Applied knowledge and understanding of crime scene analysis
• Applied knowledge and understanding of court procedures
• Applied knowledge and understanding of the classification and identification of fauna and flora
• Peace Officers’ course
• GIS course

Competencies:

• Good verbal and written communication skills in Afrikaans and English, with the ability to present case evidence in court in a clear and logical manner.
• Correct interpretation and application of relevant legislation
• Ability to make accountable, on-the-spot decisions under pressure with proper regard for reasonableness and fairness and to implement such decisions.
• Good problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify potential defence strategies and the ability to counter such strategies by pro-active investigation.
• Good organization skills
• Good inter-personal skills
• Good Presentation/Public Speaking skills
• Good administrative skills with regard to reports and docket compilation
• Good computer literacy, including working knowledge of the MSOffice suite and GIS

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: 27 April 2026