Forestry, Fisheries and The Environment Project Manager: Global Environment 8 - Peatlands Restoration and Policy Development Vacancy 2026

Opportunity Overview

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and The Environment is looking for a dedicated Project Manager to lead a crucial five-year fixed-term project focusing on Global Environment 8. This role is central to advancing peatlands restoration and developing related environmental policies in South Africa.

This is a significant opportunity to contribute to national and international environmental goals, managing a complex project that involves various stakeholders and aims to make a tangible impact on biodiversity and ecological health. The position is based in Pretoria.

Minimum Requirements

• National Diploma (NQF 6) in Environmental Science or Project Management, or a relevant qualification recognised by SAQA.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in project management or a related field.
• At least three (3) years of the required experience must be at an entry or junior managerial level (equivalent to an Assistant Director).
• Shortlisted candidates will undergo two pre-entry assessments: a practical exercise and an Integrity (Ethical Conduct) Assessment.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in project/programme management and implementation.
• Experience in managing large, multidisciplinary projects.
• Experience in the monitoring and evaluation of internationally funded projects.
• Knowledge of Biodiversity Management, including wetlands and wetland legislation.
• Experience in the restoration and/or management of wetlands.
• Knowledge of biodiversity financing.
• Sound experience in report writing.
• Knowledge of Financial and Procurement administrative procedures.
• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Proven coordination and liaison skills.
• Excellent organisational and planning abilities.
• Effective communication skills (written and spoken).
• Good interpersonal relationship skills.
• Ability to gather and analyse information.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work effectively under extreme pressure.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensuring the effective overall management of the project.
• Establishing and supervising the Project Management Unit (PMU) staff.
• Coordinating national and international consultants, co-executing agencies, and project partners to ensure project outputs are delivered.
• Overseeing the effective and efficient day-to-day implementation of the project, managing it according to Global Environmental Facility (GEF), Environmental Restoration Integrated Programme (ERIP), and United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) standards.
• Managing the project budget, preparing financial reports (including co-financing reports), and ensuring transparent financial operations.
• Managing all project-related activities and implementing the stakeholder engagement plan with relevant partners.
• Providing expert knowledge and specialist services for wetland policy development and peatland restoration strategies.
• Offering technical advice to project beneficiaries and reviewing technical reports.
• Managing project progress, monitoring, and reporting processes.
• Conducting annual monitoring of environmental and social safeguard (ESS) risks.
• Managing project committees and meetings.

What the Work Involves

As the Project Manager, you will be based in Pretoria and lead the execution of a critical environmental project. Your daily work will involve setting up and overseeing a Project Management Unit (PMU), supervising its staff, and coordinating closely with a range of national and international consultants, agencies, and partners. You will ensure the project adheres to global environmental standards set by bodies like GEF and UNEP.

A significant part of your role will be financial oversight, including managing the project budget and preparing detailed financial and co-financing reports, ensuring full transparency. You will drive project activities, implement stakeholder engagement plans, and provide specialist input on wetland policy development and peatland restoration. This role requires providing technical advice to project beneficiaries, reviewing technical reports, and managing all aspects of project progress, monitoring, and reporting, including conducting annual environmental and social risk assessments. You will also be responsible for managing project committees and facilitating key meetings, often reporting to the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Project Steering Committee (PSC).