Job Description

WWF is the worldxe2x80x99s largest and most respected independent conservation organisation, with over 6 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

WWF South Africa is a national office that is part of the WWF network. We are a local NGO that for more than 40 years has worked towards the aim of inspiring all South Africans to live in harmony with nature, for the benefit of our country and the wellbeing of all our people.

Our work is challenging and exciting and we love what we do. To join our team, you need to be brilliant at what you do, passionate, results-orientated and have a positive attitude.

Background

This position will contribute towards the 2025 strategic outcomes of WWF-SA and specifically its Outcome 2: Freshwater quality and quantity improved in Strategic Water Source Areas for ecological systems and downstream communities. Some of the work will also contribute to Outcome 4:

The WWF Freshwater Programme focuses on securing strategic water source areas (SWSA) through improving and influencing land and catchment management practices by landholders within these critical areas. SWSAs make up 10% of the total surface area of South Africa and provide more than half of the water that flows in rivers and dams. These areas are important for the functioning of ecological systems and water provision for downstream users.

The Southern Drakensberg Strategic Water Source Area (SD-SWSA) is one of 22 SWSAxe2x80x99s in South Africa, and is one of the largest in the country. It is located almost entirely in the KwaZulu Natal Province and encompasses three primary river catchments, namely the uMngeni, uMkhomazi and uMzimkhulu. Historically, WWF has worked with various partners in the uMngeni and uMkhomazi Catchments but not the uMzimkhulu. Therefore establishing projects and a catchment-scale platform or partnership for the Upper uMzimkhulu catchment is an important next step to securing the Southern Drakensberg Strategic Water Source Area.

WWF focuses on mobilizing and strengthening water source partnerships. These are community-public-private partnerships that bring together local actors to safeguard water resources within a catchment or water source area. WWF is currently involved in 9 other water source partnerships across the country, and referred to as xe2x80x9ccatchment platformsxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cmulti-stakeholder platformsxe2x80x9d in some areas.

A partnership between WWF and CHEP (the multi-national pallet and container manufacturing company, www.chep.com ) was recently formalized for an initial Phase 1 proof of concept and exploratory phase of 18 months, with a view to scoping and informing a longer-term phase 2. The partnership aims to initiate a landscape-wide approach to water and biodiversity stewardship and improved natural resource management that benefits people and nature - with an initial focus on the uMzimkhulu catchment where the majority of CHEPxe2x80x99s timber holdings and their sawmill are located.

WWF