Director: Collections Management

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, highly-motivated, dedicated professional and responsible individual to provide leadership, guidance, and to coordinate biodiversity collections in South Africa. SANBI’s botanical collection is world-class and comprises of more than 2.2 million specimens across three Herbaria (Compton Herbarium, KZN Herbarium, and Pretoria National Herbarium) representative of the southern African flora and these are used regularly by local and international researchers, naturalists, and biologists seeking to document and understand plant diversity.

SANBI works collaboratively with a network of partners to achieve its mandate on documenting animal diversity. In addition, SANBI holds and curates biomaterials (Biobank) of strategic value in support of compliance and enforcement efforts against illegal wildlife trade and harvesting of biodiversity.

The position requires a postgraduate degree in Life Sciences, Natural Sciences, Botany and/or Zoology or equivalent and relevant postgraduate qualification at  NQF level 8. A relevant postgraduate degree or equivalent qualification at NQF 9 and above as well as a record of original research and peer-reviewed publications in the field, will be an added advantage.

This position requires a minimum of 10 years’ relevant working experience, 5 years of which should be in middle management level. The successful candidate will be required to acquire a Senior Management Service Pre-entry Certificate offered by National School of Government before assumption of duty.

The following competencies are critical for the candidate to be successful in this position: An in-depth understanding and knowledge of museum ethics standards, Herbarium curation, experience in plant conservation and sustainability, digitization of botanical collections, imaging of collections, contemporary floristics and phytogeography, uses of plants, indigenous and local knowledge related to biodiversity, and proven record of successful grant applications and/or donor and sponsor development, ability to maintain confidentiality; have a passion in working with a diverse group of people; project management knowledge and skills , procurement and financial management policies are important; advanced planning, organizing, interpersonal skills; excellent communication skills (both verbal and written); computer literacy and experience in the application of software tools including (MS Word, MS Project, PowerPoint, Excel, Internet and Outlook).

The possession of a valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel nationally and internationally is essential.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Provide leadership and direction in management, strategy development and implementation of activities for SANBI biodiversity collections (Herbaria and Biobanks);
• Development and maintain appropriate infrastructure for biodiversity collections in SANBI;
• Lead development and implementation of data, curation, staffing and capacity development strategies and policies relating to biodiversity collections in South Arica;
• Develop and execute research programmes relevant to enhance value and utility of natural science collections through collaborative programmes and projects involving multidisciplinary teams drawn from national and international stakeholders;
• Resource mobilisation to ensure long term financial sustainability of operations for SANBI mandate on biodiversity collections management;
• Manage the human and financial resources in line with applicable policy prescripts; and
• Ensure proper governance, planning, reporting, performance management, effective risk management and compliance to applicable legislation.