Border Management Authority (BMA) Biodiversity Specialist: CITES: Eastern Region Vacancy 2026

Opportunity Overview

The Border Management Authority (BMA) operates as an armed service in South Africa, established under Section 199(3) of the Constitution through the Border Management Authority Act No 2 of 2020. It stands alongside the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) in its critical national role.

The BMA is inviting applications for a Biodiversity Specialist focusing on CITES within its Eastern Region operations. This permanent position seeks a dedicated professional to contribute to the management and enforcement of biodiversity legislation at South Africa's borders.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants for this specialist role should possess sound knowledge and understanding of the following areas:

• The Border Management Authority Act (BMA), 2020 (Act No. 2 of 2020).
• Environmental legislation and its associated regulatory framework, including the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations.
• Biodiversity management principles, species identification, CITES permit administration, wildlife trade regulation, biodiversity compliance systems, and environmental enforcement practices.
• Environmental compliance monitoring, quality assurance methodologies, compliance auditing, and biodiversity risk management principles.
• Strategic planning, performance management, monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, information management, and reporting within the public sector.
• Intergovernmental relations and stakeholder management.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for a range of specialised tasks, including:

• Providing technical advice and guidance on implementing biodiversity legislation, including NEMA: Biodiversity Act, CITES, and TOPS Regulations.
• Coordinating and providing technical support for biodiversity compliance activities at designated Ports of Entry within the Eastern Region.
• Handling CITES permit administration, species identification, compliance inspections, and related biodiversity matters.
• Offering technical advice on complex biodiversity compliance and enforcement matters, such as wildlife trade investigations, permit irregularities, and seizures.
• Promoting consistent implementation of biodiversity legislation, policies, SOPs, technical standards, and operational directives across the Region.
• Monitoring and evaluating regional biodiversity compliance activities, analysing trends, and preparing technical reports for Regional Management.
• Maintaining and utilising biodiversity compliance information and reporting systems for accurate reporting and decision-making.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders, including DFFE, provincial conservation authorities, and law enforcement agencies.
• Representing the Border Management Authority at regional, national, and international technical forums and stakeholder engagements, as delegated.
• Developing and facilitating regional technical training, mentoring, and capacity-building initiatives.
• Providing technical input into regional planning and the implementation of national biodiversity strategies and initiatives.

What the Work Involves

As a Biodiversity Specialist, you will primarily be based in Centurion, but your work will involve coordinating and providing crucial technical support for biodiversity compliance across designated Ports of Entry within the Eastern Region. Your daily tasks will include administering CITES permits, identifying species, conducting compliance inspections, and addressing complex enforcement matters like wildlife trade investigations and permit irregularities.

You will be a key advisor on biodiversity legislation, policies, and operational directives, ensuring their consistent implementation. This role requires close collaboration and relationship building with various government departments such as DFFE, provincial conservation authorities, and law enforcement agencies. You will also represent the BMA at important regional, national, and international forums, contributing your expertise to broader discussions and strategies. The work environment is dynamic, blending office-based technical advice and reporting with engagement at borders and with external partners.

How to Apply

To apply for the Biodiversity Specialist: CITES: Eastern Region position, please use the official BMA online application portal.

Visit the following link to complete your application: https://bmajobs.mcidirecthire.com/Vacancy/Application?parameters=q4%2F37VDQTFWXnK7wNIeCPXSSDKXnWD7igt3jVxtUKjFSl3qpheANIMRC6u6Oo9kBvVAeUP19JEWLbZb63wgwMTjFkwGkyV%2B%2B4xbFbIcrsLEe2ONh84jMDEgpxWO9pPLqInyP1XhcMzu8j7pErQEUTRFmFLIm3K1fdg45bAOZCB70Ka956u90GPAr6H%2FJNSNWRjtwb4mVQvMkTA0L%2BgD%2Bz%2FopH4r7tZfG4feiTQ78f1A%3D