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You are here: Home eNewsletter Archives 2007 June 2007 WANTED: A manager for SAEON's new Fynbos Node

WANTED: A manager for SAEON's new Fynbos Node

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SAEON’s new Fynbos Node will serve as a platform for information management, observational systems, ecosystems research and environmental science education (Picture © SANBI)

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The SAEON Fynbos Node will focus on the Cape Floral Kingdom (Picture © Mitzi du Plessis)

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SAEON’s new Fynbos Node will operate from the Kirstenbosch Research Centre in Cape Town (Picture © Mitzi du Plessis)

  • Do you have an excellent environmental research background, management experience and a thorough understanding of data management?
  • Are you a resourceful, strategically thinking scientist with a demonstrated business-like approach to the production and management of data?
  • Do you have good people skills?
  • Do you support SAEON’s objectives?

Then this exciting and challenging position might be for you …

South Africa boasts an exceptionally rich biodiversity. SANBI, a public entity operating in nine different centres, is the only institution in the world mandated with the study, conservation and promotion of an entire country’s fauna, flora and their ecosystems.

The South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON at www.saeon.ac.za) is a rapidly growing initiative, started in 2002 by the Department of Science & Technology, the National Research Foundation and national environmental science stakeholders.

SAEON is designed to provide Earth observation and environmental information through long-term data gathering at permanent nodes (field stations).

The SAEON Fynbos Node is hosted by SANBI and focuses on the Cape Floral Kingdom. The node will serve as a platform for information management, observational systems, ecosystems research and environmental science education. The outcomes will contribute to capacity development, State of the Environment reporting, modelling of fynbos ecology, and the development of information tools for science, policy and management.

SANBI is looking for a resourceful, strategically thinking scientist to manage the Fynbos Node. This position calls for a demonstrated business-like approach to knowledge production. Prospective candidates with an impressive environmental research background, management experience and thorough understanding of data management will be duly considered, while a PhD would be preferred. Applicants must be disciplined self-starters with good people skills.

Responsibilities will include:

  • Developing and co-ordinating a set of observing facilities to deliver and integrate long-term environmental data
  • Creating a science-policy link through delivering information products based on node data
  • Establishing a data management facility
  • Managing the relationships with collaborating partners, SAEON and SANBI
  • Chairing the Node Liaison Committee
  • Establishing local environmental science education outreach programmes
  • Managing a small staff component, finances, equipment and related facilities
  • Delivering periodic business plans, reports and node information
  • Co-ordinating visiting researchers and research students
  • Promoting SAEON’s objectives.

SANBI offers an all-inclusive salary package of R343 257 per annum.

Please note:

  1. Applications must be accompanied by a letter motivating why the applicant should be favourably considered for the position and confirming that the minimum qualifications are met.
  2. A competency test will be conducted as part of the selection process.

All applications will be considered with the understanding that, in terms of the SANBI Employment Equity Plan, preference will currently be given to candidates from the designated groups.

Applications submitted by employment agencies will not be considered. SANBI reserves the right not to fill this position.

Contact Ms Nthabiseng Koopedi on 011 802 5851 or, preferably, forward a concise CV via e-mail to sanbi@jhb.lr.co.za or fax 086 635 9931. Postal applications are to be addressed to Ms Nthabiseng Koopedi, LR Strategic Placement, P.O. Box 98, The Woodlands 2080.

Closing Date: Friday 15 June 2007 at 16:00

Visit www.sanbi.org for more information on the South African National Biodiversity Institute. If no response has been received within 21 days of the closing date, candidates may assume that their applications were unsuccessful.

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