Senior Technical Director for the Great Limpopo Landscape, CSA

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

Conservation South Africa (CSA), as a local affiliate of Conservation International (CI), is committed to helping societies adopt a more sustainable approach to development—one that considers and values nature at every turn and improves human well-being through the conservation of healthy ecosystems and the goods and services they provide. CSA seeks to influence policy, develop markets, engage the private sector, and support communities to develop and implement conservation- based economic growth models and long-term human well-being.

POSITION SUMMARY - in the CSA Office at Acorn to Oaks Hub, Acornhoek, Mpumalanga.

The Senior Technical Director is responsible for overseeing and guiding the implementation of CI/CSA’s designated landscape activities in the Great Limpopo Landscape, including supporting programmes, projects and initiatives with other landscape partners in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA). A key performance area of this position is to provide strategic leadership and guidance to landscape staff working in the K2C & Vhembe Biosphere Landscapes to ensure goals and outcomes are in line with CSA’s mission, vision, and strategies that ladder up to CI’s Southern Cross targets. A key responsibility of the Senior Technical Director will be the creation and maintenance of strategic partnerships with the existing GLTFCA Structures and Implementing Agencies, including Government (national, provincial, and local), local governance structures, Traditional Authorities, landscape partners and stakeholders.

The Senior Technical Director for the Great Limpopo Landscape, CSA reports to the CEO and assists in the delivery of CSA’s rangeland portfolio.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic oversight and technical leadership to effectively implement CI/CSA programmes, projects and initiatives and ensure high-impact outputs by leading and collaborating with key project partners in the Great Limpopo landscape.
• Provide strategic oversight and team technical leadership to effectively implement current and future program activities in the K2C and Vhembe Biosphere landscapes and ensure high-impact outputs by leading and inspiring landscape program and technical staff, ensuring goals and outcomes are in line with CI / CSA’s mission, vision, and strategies.
• Ensure the effective coordination and implementation and long-term sustainability of the program in the landscape, with specific focus on the signature projects of the Herding 4 Health Program (H4H), K2C Rangeland Restoration Carbon Programme, and other CI/CSA projects and initiatives in the K2C, Greater Kruger and Great Limpopo landscapes. This should include the management and effective delivery on existing donor-funded pilots, and the implementation and management of new projects.
• In collaboration with the CEO of CSA, the Senior Director: Conservation Strategy and Development (Southern Africa), and K2C senior management, provide strategic inputs on Herding 4 Health Program (H4H), K2C Rangeland Restoration Carbon Programme, M&E, Climate Change Resilience initiatives, and EbA/NBS and Sustainable Rangeland activities and strategies pertaining to the K2C / Vhembe BR / Great Limpopo Landscape demonstration pro-jects.
• Maintain communication and build strategic partnerships with formal GLTFCA Structures and Implementing Agencies, Government (National, Provincial, and Local), local governance structures, traditional authorities, landscape partners, and other stakeholders.
• Continuously cultivate and engage stakeholders, including formal GLTFCA Structures and Implementing Agencies, donors, government and NPOs, technical colleagues, and other partners critical to program success, being conscious of unintended consequences and the impact of decisions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

People and Resource Management Responsibilities

• This position will be responsible for the overall management of staff in the CSA K2C and Vhembe Biosphere Landscapes and requires a balance of high challenges, and high support for employees:
• Create a nurturing environment of mentorship and guidance for staff, whilst providing clear boundaries.
• Contribute to the formulation of annual plans, operating plans, budgets, and project expenditure requests in line with all CI’s strategic goals and objectives, and operations.
• Ensure sound administration of funds and other assets that are allocated to the Great Limpopo Landscape.
• Directly oversee and ensure program compliance with CI policies and Code of Conduct, funding agreements and local requirements.
• Ensure accurate and timeous financial and progress reporting to Senior Management, donors and key partners.
• Represent CI/CSA at relevant meetings and workshops at International, National, and local level as requested by senior management.
• Implement a communication protocol for Project staff to facilitate appropriate and professional communication to all relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitate site visits by donors or Program leadership as and when required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Local office conditions in rural landscape
• 30% travel domestically & regionally.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Master's degree and at least 10 years of experience, in environmental/conservation management, rural development, sciences/natural sciences/agriculture/rangeland management, integrated water resource management, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of conservation management, rangeland management, and experience in the implementation of both climate change and conservation & development programs.
• Proven awareness and fair experience with transboundary/trans frontier conservation area development initiatives, including context and collaboration.
• Proven history of planning, managing and implementing large landscape scale and multi-stakeholder integrated conservation and development programmes/projects.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in project management and 5 years of extensive people management experience.
• Proven ability to lead and work in and lead a diverse team in a rural setting.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Proven experience with monitoring and reporting on donor projects.
• Experience in managing budgets and solid managerial finance knowledge.
• Practical community engagement experience with an understanding and passion for working with rural people.
• English and beneficial vernacular language (Tsonga, Sepedi, or Siswati).
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred

• Experience working with government-funded conservation, poverty alleviation and rural development programs.
• Experience working in the NPO / NGO sector.
• Previous work experience in working in Great Limpopo and/or other transboundary land-scapes will be an advantage.
  

To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter.

Application Deadline: September 3, 2026 (11:49 PM EST)

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

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Application Outcome & Future Opportunities
Should you not hear back from us within two weeks of the closing date for this advertisement, please consider your application not successful. We encourage you to apply for any future roles that align with your skill set.

CI Values: We expect that all employees will embrace the values of our organization.
Passion: We are inspired by nature and cherish the diversity of life in all of its forms.
Respect: We respect and trust each other, and we embrace our diversity of cultures, talents, and experiences.
Integrity: We act with integrity and are accountable for our actions.
Optimism: We are optimistic about the future of life on Earth and are confident that, with our partners, we will achieve unprecedented conservation results.
Courage: We tirelessly pursue our vision, taking bold action and persevering through challenges.
Teamwork: We work together, recognizing that openness, collaboration, and cooperation are fundamental to achieving a healthy and prosperous world for all.