Purpose of the job:
To promote the sustainable use, protection of forests and woodlands in order to achieve social and economic benefits

Key Performance Area:

Provide strategic and policy leadership with regards to sustainable forestry production and woodlands management 20%
• Oversee the development/ review of legislation, national policies, strategies, and programmes aimed at sustainable forestry production and natural management.
• Facilitate research in respect of forestry production.
• Oversee the development/ review of systems for managing forestry production.
• Provide strategic and policy advice to the Executive Authority and Head of the Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries with regards to sustainable forestry production.
• Facilitate the development of capacity within the public and private sector for sustainable forestry production through strategic partnerships with research institutions, academic institutions, and other relevant national or international organizations.
• Facilitate the provision of support (technical expertise, advice, and information) to the sector in respect of sustainable forestry production.
• Represent the South African Government and the Department at relevant national, regional, and global commissions/ forums/ structures on forestry production.
• Ensure that the South African Government and the Department meets its national and international obligations in respect of forestry production.

Oversee the administration of national forestry production and woodland regulatory services 20%
• Oversee the administration and regulation of the State Forests Act, the National Forests Act (NFA) and the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (NVFFA).
• Develop and propose regulations, protocols, norms, and standards for sustainable forestry production.
• Oversee the development and management of mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing compliance to regulations and legislation.
• Oversee the provision of monitoring, inspection, and auditing services in relation to forestry production.
• Raise awareness in respect of regulatory requirements in relation to forestry production.
• Approve/ submit compliance reports to the Minister with regards to sustainable forestry production e.g. audit reports, inspections etc.

Promote risk management to ensure sustainable forestry production, and woodlands management 20%
• Oversee the development of a national strategy to mitigate the impact of climate change, including adaptation measures for forestry management.
• Oversee/ develop strategies and interventions relating to renewable/ sustainable energy supply and Biofuels.
• Oversee the development and implementation of early warning and emergency action strategies to address pests and diseases, including migratory pests.
• Oversee the development of relevant disaster and risk management policies.
• Oversee the management of the forestry production chain, involving producers, traders, processors, distributors, competent authorities, as well as consumers to ensure product safety.
• Oversee the development/ review of national policies, legislation, and regulations to ensure human health and product safety.
• Oversee the development/ review of protocols, systems, norms, and standards for forestry production and products and for monitoring and compliance.
• Oversee the provisioning of quality assurance services to ensure that forestry products meet the necessary safety norms and standards.
• Lead the government’s response to forestry risks and disasters and contribute to the national post disaster recovery and rehabilitation.
• Oversee the development of systems for sharing sector risk and disaster management information to key stakeholders.
• Ensure the sustainable management of woodlands and indigenous forests through the conservation planning, the development of appropriate strategies, and development of rehabilitation programmes etc.
• Ensure sustainable land and soil management through the coordinated implementation of the land care programme, farmer support and water use management.

Provide strategic direction and guidance with regards to the management of resources within the Branch 20%
• Provide support to the Minister and DG in relation to the development of solutions for challenges specific to the Branch, to ensure delivery of the Branch-related key result areas (including playing a direct role regarding inputs into strategy, being accountable for relevant inputs to parliamentary committee meetings, cluster meetings, implementation of the sector plan, etc.).
• Articulate the Departmental Strategy consistent with the MTSF and relevant to the Branch’s programmes, and support the DG in leading the implementation thereof.
• Ensure synchronization of the deliverables of the Department with those of relevant Provincial Departments of and other government entities reporting to the Department.
• Develop Service Level Agreements with relevant Provincial Departments and other State Owned Entities, consistent with the sector priorities.
• Lead the Branch in the implementation of policy priorities and the realization of the Branch’s strategic objectives – including setting of targets.
• Mobilise and allocate resources in accordance with the defined priorities.
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of projects and ensure appropriate progress tracking, analysis and reporting.
• Assume a central coordination role in relation to the functions of the Branch with all stakeholders, including provincial coordination.
• Provide support to other Branches in the achievement of their targets on cross-functional responsibilities – which should be agreed upon in specific terms.
• Take overall financial and management responsibility for the Branch.
• Report directly to the DG and respond to relevant parliamentary matters as per parliamentary instructions executed through the Director General’s Office.
• Ensure the development and management of human resources.

Oversee the management of forestry operations, transfers and land management 10%
• Oversee the management of forestry operations, State forests and other State assets.
• Oversee the management of Provincial Forestry Operations.
• Oversee the administration of land including servitudes, land releases, third party issues etc.
• Oversee the trust established to manage lease rentals.

Oversee the Department’s participation in national, regional and international structures for purposes of promoting and managing sustainable forestry production, and woodland management 10%
• Establish and manage relationships with key stakeholders (Government, Non-Governmental, and International) in respect to the promotion of sustainable forestry production and related issues.
• Set up systems for managing the Department’s relationship with its key stakeholders and clients, especially in relation to sustainable forestry production.
• Represent the Department on key forums and structures (Local, regional and International) to promote sustainable forestry production.
• Manage the Department’s relationship with the Forestry Advisory Council and relevant public entities.

Knowledge:
• Knowledge and understanding of all relevant legislation and regulations that govern the Public Service including the PFMA and Treasury Regulations, the Public Service Act, the Labour Relations Act etc
• Knowledge and understanding of the State Forests Act, the National Forests Act (NFA) and the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (NVFFA).
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant national legislation and international agreements and commitments and their impact
• Very deep knowledge of a wide range of activities such as:
• Finance (How to execute overall control of budgets of sections/projects/components. Financial management practices that must be followed to limit financial losses.)
• Technical standards/procedure
• Needs and priorities of stakeholders
• Planning and organizing (How to do strategic planning to set visions, missions, etc. to ensure the proper linking with that of the Public Service.)
• Knowledge and understanding of government priorities and imperatives
• Knowledge and understanding of the white paper on the transformation of the public service (Batho Pele)

Competencies & Skills:
• Strategic Planning
• Strategic Capability and Leadership
• Programme and Project Management
• Financial Management
• Change Management
• Knowledge Management
• Service Delivery Innovation (SDI)
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• People Management and Empowerment
• Client Orientation and Customer Focus
• Communication
• Organisational Transformation
• Honesty and Integrity

Skills:
• Sound organising and planning skills
• Good communication skills
• Computer literacy.
• Leadership
• Facilitation

Minimum appointment requirements:
• Undergraduate qualification (NQF level 7) and an appropriate postgraduate qualification at (NQF level 8) in Forest Science/ Natural Sciences or relevant qualification as recognized by SAQA
• 8 -10 years of experience at a Senior Managerial level in Environmental Management or relevant field

Personal Attributes:
• Honesty
• Ability to work long hours voluntarily
• Ability to gather and analyse information.
• Ability to develop and apply policies
• Ability to work individually and in team
• Good interpersonal relations skills
• Ability to work under extreme pressure
• Ability to work with difficult persons and to resolve conflict
• Character beyond reproach
• Sense of responsibility and loyalty
• Initiative and creativity