Senior Ecologist

About the Company

SLR is recognized as one of the global leaders in environmental and advisory solutions, helping our clients to achieve their sustainability goals.

In the process of growing our footprint around the globe, we are continuously looking for talented people to join our team and who would add value to Our Business. SLR has over 100 offices in 13 different countries across the world and we actively encourage collaboration and learning between the many disciplines and services we offer globally.

At SLR you can expect a flexible and supportive culture where you can be happy and work with talented colleagues from diverse backgrounds on fascinating projects that make a difference to the world we live in.

Job Purpose

We are looking for an ecological consultant with specialist skills in terrestrial and / or aquatic ecology in the African region and a track record in contributing to Ecological Impact Assessment and related work in a range of development sectors.

Minimum requirements & experience

• A post-graduate qualification in an ecology discipline (e.g. Botany, Zoology, Aquatic Biology, Conservation Biology, Environmental Science or equivalent.
• 5-10 years of work experience as an ecologist preferably in a consulting environment
• Familiarity with application of sampling methods and statistics for ecological assessments and monitoring.
• Experience with biodiversity data acquisition tools and database management.
• Willingness to mentor junior ecology staff.
• Professional registration in an ecology discipline with SACNASP.
• Familiarity with South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) spatial products.
• Experience with application of Environmental Impact Assessment methodology and reporting.
• Experience with the requirements of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and regulations, including species protocols and guidelines.
• Practical skills in GIS analysis and mapping and competent in ArcGIS9 or QGIS will be an advantage.
• Willingness and availability to travel to remote destinations.

Additional desirable skills include:

• Experience in conducting biodiversity aspects of Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDDs) to lender standards and engaging with staff at financial institutions.
• Experience in rehabilitation/restoration.
• Experience working in African countries.
• Familiarity in natural capital / nature-based solutions.
• Written and spoken language skills in French or Portuguese would be an advantage

Responsibilities

• Undertaking specialist surveys and assessments in one or more expert disciplines (with a strong focus on botany, terrestrial fauna, and/or aquatic ecology) in sub-Saharan African biomes (including use of relevant survey equipment).
• Preparation of technical and cost proposals for biodiversity related work, including screening studies.
• Delivery of biodiversity assessments, management plans, and monitoring studies for projects across Africa (including South Africa) and for other global projects (through other SLR offices as requested) to meet national regulatory requirements and international financing institution requirements (e.g. IFC, World Bank, EIB, AfDB).
• Coordinating specific tasks, ranging from planning and logistics; health and safety; liaison with experts on data and mapping; engaging with clients on specialist scopes and deliverables; sourcing baseline data; collation, review and preparation of specialist reports; and undertaking site visits to project sites.
• Contribution to South African Basic Assessment Reports (BARs) and Environment Impact Assessments (EIAs) to fulfil the South African National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) requirements, including Screening Assessments.
• Review of specialist biodiversity reports undertaken by other SLR staff and external specialists.
• Mentoring of other SLR ecology staff in South Africa.
• Networking and collaboration with environmental managers and other project staff in other SLR offices in South Africa or globally, as required.
• Support and contribute to the strategic development of the Ecology & Biodiversity team.
• Attend client meetings and actively seek and develop client relationships.
• Presentation of papers / posters at workshops/conferences and SLR marketing functions.
• Actively participate in SLR sustainability initiatives and community projects.
• Contribute to the development of SLR’s in-house biodiversity tools, templates and case studies.
• Contribution to writing academic papers and thought leadership pieces; and involvement in initiatives to promote and further develop tools, methods and approaches to biodiversity assessments will be encouraged.

SLR’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. We actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply. SLR is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion.