Project Extension Officer

Project Extension Officer, Spekboom Restoration Project

Department: Operations

Location: Jansenville, Eastern Cape 

Reports to: Project Manager

Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary adventure that will revitalise landscapes, combat climate change, and promote sustainable agriculture? Join NatCarbon Africa: a mission-driven, proudly African organisation dedicated to high-quality implementation of large-scale carbon, climate, and biodiversity projects. We embrace the power of innovative technology to enhance project execution. Community engagement lies at the heart of our projects, driven by a genuine commitment to meaningful and inclusive participation and co-benefits, such as biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic upliftment. 

NatCarbon Africa seeks a Project Extension Officer in the Operations Department for the large-scale Spekboom Restoration Project in the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa.

With our partner, Imperative Global, our aim is to restore up to 100,000 hectares of degraded subtropical thicket biome. The Project entails planting Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) on privately owned land to improve ecosystem functioning and agricultural productivity over time, promote biodiversity, improve soil filtration, enhance water storage capabilities, and to reduce soil erosion. The Project is estimated to permanently store large quantities of Carbon Dioxide over the Project life, thus positively contributing towards climate change mitigation.

Position Summary: 

Reporting to the Project Manager, the Project Extension Officer has responsibility for delivering assigned project activities, targets, and outcomes of the Spekboom Project for a specific area assigned.   The Project Extension Officer, assists to delineate the planting area, lead all activities to secure the planting site, planting of spekboom and working with the landowner to secure the planted sites to maximize the growth of the planted spekboom.

Roles and Responsibilities: 

Project Implementation and management:

• Lead health, safety, security and the environment for all assigned staff, service providers and contractors, supported by the Project Manager and HSSE Officer.


• Ensure assigned project schedules are met timeously.


• Ensure quality standards of the project are met according to prescribed methods and standards. 


• Ensure accurate and timeous project reporting.


• Schedule procurement requirements to ensure all required materials, equipment and human resources are on site on time to maximise production.


• Ensure project deliverables are met within assigned budget.


• Assist with updating and development of project documentation (work plan, budget). 


• Manage risks on site and address issues as they arise.


• Maintain, manage, and control assets assigned.


• Any other duties as assigned by supervisor.

 Planting of Spekboom:

• Coordination of all activities across assigned sites (harvesting, fencing, planting)


• Secure sites for harvesting of spekboom for the project and ensure the necessary legal documentation is obtained.

• Oversight of harvesting on sites and ensure safe transit of material to field nurseries.


• Secure planting sites by overseeing fencing contractors deliver according to prescribed quality standards and protocols.


• Liaison with the Nursery staff to align harvesting and planting of spekboom as per the agreed schedule and timelines agreed to with landowners.


• Oversee the planting and watering of spekboom in field as per the methods and standards provided.

Management of Service Providers:

• Develop specifications for procurement of goods and services, including the setting of specific tasks (harvesting, fencing, planting).


• Assist the project manager with the appointment of service providers to deliver various deliverables.


• Provide training to service providers on all project protocols and ensure compliance monitoring in field.


• Address quality or performance issues with service providers on site and ensure detailed record keeping.


• Monitor and record productivity of service providers in field and address any challenges.


• Assist the Community Enterprise Manager and Project Manager to identify contractor development and training requirements.

General: 

• This role requires supervising teams in remote outdoor environments and involves physical activity.


• Embrace a culture of continuous learning by adapting to evolving job responsibilities, driven by NatCarbon Africa’s commitment to innovation, personal growth, and shifting operational priorities.


• Some travel within the Eastern and Western Cape may be required, including to remote locations, with occasional weekend or holiday work to accommodate schedules. Work hours may be irregular.


• This outline of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive. The employer reserves the right to assign additional duties or responsibilities at any time, provided they are reasonably aligned with the scope of the role or necessitated by operational requirements. The functions and responsibilities detailed within this job description may be subject to modification at the employer’s discretion, based on evolving operational requirements, while remaining consistent with the parameters of the employee’s position.

 Skills: 

• Physically fit with daily visits to work sites in remote and rugged areas.


• Demonstrate negotiation skills, proven ability to work with landowners and communities, SMME’s.


• The ability to problem-solve and manage multiple, conflicting drivers.


• Good people skills and good communication ability.


• Must be well organized, physically fit and willing to work hard.


• Good observational ability and able to think on your feet.


• Demonstrate a high level of personal integrity and be passionate about making a positive difference to the world.


• Adopt an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset.


• Must be able to work effectively under pressure and with minimal supervision.


• Highly organized with solid attention to detail.


• Map reading skills.


• Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Qualifications: 

• Relevant Degree or Diploma in Agriculture, Conservation, Forestry or project management.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Approximately 5 years’ previous work experience in similar role.


• Maintain a knowledge of nature-based carbon offsets, their market trends, and developments.


• Understand and navigate local regulatory issues in the regions in which the company operates.

• Valid Driver’s License (with off road driving experience) required (PDP with a code EC (Code 14) would be advantageous)

• Working knowledge of GIS, using GPS and/or drones preferred.


• Fluency in English and Afrikaans (with ability to speak Xhosa advantageous).

Working Conditions

• Frequent travel within the Eastern and Western Cape anticipated, including to remote locations. Travel may on occasion cross weekends and holidays to accommodate schedules. Work hours may be irregular


• You will join a great team! We are:


• From diverse locations and backgrounds, but all experts in our respective fields. We bring together a wide range of cross-sector experiences, ideas, and skills


• Relentless in our pursuit of excellence and innovation, always pushing the boundaries and challenging the status quo. But it is not all work for us – we also believe in celebrating our successes, recognising individual contributions, and taking time to support each other’s growth and development.


• At our core, explorers, constantly learning, evolving, and seeking new ways to deliver impactful solutions. We are not afraid to dream big, take risks, and step out of our comfort zones because we know that together, we can achieve great things.

Compensation

To help us attract and retain top talent, NatCarbon Africa pays employees competitively to the market, depending on experience. Salary is one component of NatCarbon Africa’s total compensation package which also includes health care and life insurance, contributions to each employee’s retirement plan, paid time off and funds to support professional development. We will recognise employees who go beyond expected performance with salary increases and/or promotions.

In return, we expect each employee to, at a minimum:

• Meet expectations in terms of work effort and performance.


• Take the initiative to build the skills and knowledge needed to do their job effectively; and


• Embody the values of NatCarbon Africa.

How to Apply

To apply, please send us the following:

• Cover letter (not to exceed one page).


• Resume/CV (not to exceed three pages).

Please add app.bamboohr.com to your contact list to ensure you receive emails from us.

NatCarbon Africa provides equal opportunity for all job applicants and employees and is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination.

Only applications received online via the NatCarbon website or LinkedIn Page will be considered.