The Southern African Wildlife College is an equal opportunity employer and recruitment, selection and staff development is based solely on the capabilities, qualifications and intrinsic qualities of the person. No decision will be based on race, sex, culture, age, religion, creed or on any other potentially subjective views or perceptions. In addition, the College will employ people taking into account affirmative action policies, equity planning and recognition of the abilities of differently-abled people.
The College always endeavours, wherever feasible, to fill all vacancies from within whilst giving due consideration to maintaining high standards. The college, and the HR department, will thus always first look at the role and at existing employees not only within the department but within the college as whole, to determine whether there is any employee who has been identified with potential, as part of our Leadership Development policy, who meets the requirements for the role and could be promoted into it. Vacancies are always be advertised within the College unless the position is such that it cannot be filled internally, under which circumstances the position will be advertised nationally and possibly even internationally.
The Equity Committee (EC) and the SAWC community forum and/or Community Liaison Officers will be notified of all vacancies in the interests of transparency and these will be advertised on all college notice boards and via staff email. Cognizance will be taken of the needs in terms of equal opportunities, equity and transformation and development when making appointments. All applicants are required to undergo integrity testing prior to employment.
Specialised Field Operations Training Manager
Job Purpose
The Southern African Wildlife College is a hands-on conservation training institution, working beyond boundaries to conserve and secure Africa’s wildlife and ecosystems in partnership with local communities.
An integral part of the college’s training strategy and programmes is the training of field rangers, at all levels, from entry level to experienced and specialised task units. These programmes are managed by the college’s Protected Area Integrity Business Unit, a team of people with specialised skills, within which the successful candidate would work.
The SAWC currently has a vacancy for a Specialised Field Training Manager, whose role within the Protected Area Integrity Business Unit would be training Field Rangers for advanced operations inclusive of weapons handling, tactical field operations, extended clandestine patrols, advanced night operations, cooperation with helicopter/ air support service deployments, dog patrols, tracking and follow up operations, protected area security operations planning, risk assessment and field tactical deployments as well as acting as support and providing advice to the Business Unit Head: Protected Area Integrity. Candidate must have knowledge of Conservation and Criminal Law.
The ideal candidate will have advanced field operations capability, including complex shooting skills, experience in managing field operations, and exceptional facilitation skills. We are looking for someone who can facilitate the transfer of knowledge and hone the skills of individuals in planning and undertaking extended clandestine patrols which include interacting with K9 and air wing support units, field information gathering through observation and collaborative relationships, advanced self defence tactics, and helping individuals acquire or improve highly developed perceptive skills in terms of intelligence gathering and interpretation. The successful incumbent should be well versed in safety, risk assessment, using and managing shooting ranges, as well as have a working understanding of helicopters/ air support, tracking, and dog deployments.
This position will suit someone used to working both autonomously and within a small team, who is adaptable, enjoys challenges and has extensive field operations and weapons handling training. The candidate will be required to travel and spend extended periods out of country, to fulfil requirements of this position.
Reporting Line
Business Unit Head: Protected Area Integrity
Key Responsibilities
We are looking for someone who can facilitate the transfer of knowledge and hone the skills of individuals in planning and undertaking extended clandestine patrols which include interacting with K9 and air wing support units, field information gathering through observation and collaborative relationships, advanced self-defence tactics, and helping individuals acquire or improve highly developed interpretative skills in terms of intelligence gathering and interpretation.
Please submit your applications to pmaake(at)sawc.org.za
Application deadline: 7 October 2021
Please be sure to watch our LinkedIn page.
The Southern African Wildlife College believes that service excellence is an integral component to the College and is essential to the effective achievement of the College’s operational objectives or day-to-day business. The Achiever of the Month scheme at the College is linked to a financial reward in order to encourage employees to exceed to the required standard of performance at the College and to motivate them to be creative and initiative in their day-to-day operations. The Achiever of the Month award is based on the belief that productivity is linked to motivation and the College’s goals will not be reached or achieved unless working relations between the College’s employees, students, and visitors are based on both trust and mutual contribution.
The College also believes that the Achiever of the Month lucrative scheme is a communication forum between top management and their subordinates. The Achiever of the Month Award is awarded every month and will be used to accurately reflect the development of employees in different divisions, and also to provide a clearer and more objective view of individual employees as a whole. The decision on who is the Achiever of the Month will be linked to aspects such as safety, human relations, quality of work, attitudes, initiative, dedication etc., and is determined via a voting system at the Inter Departmental (ID) Committee forum, a forum for middle level managers. Nominations are called for from all departments and all levels of staff, as well as staff, and ID committee will then convene a meeting to select the best employee nominated amongst others, taking into account all principles which have been set out in the nomination form. Senior managers do not have a say on the process other than being able to nominate staff for this award.
In addition to the Achiever of the Month awards, the college recognizes employees for exceptional above-and-beyond inputs and achievements with the CEO award; recognizes staff for doing things that are not their job but which enhance the college’s reputation and ability to conduct its business with the Rhino Award; and recognizes actions and ideas which lead to safer working conditions for all with the Safety Award.
The Achiever of the Month ceremony is also used a forum to hand out certificates to staff who have undergone training or passed courses as beneficiaries of the college’s educational assistance programme; to wish all staff having a birthday that month a happy birthday; and for staff announcements.
