EFTEON Landscape Scientist at NRF National Research Foundation

About the position

Postion Summary:
The Landscape Scientist - Social Ecological Systems is expected to develop the technical aspects of the EFTEON Research Infrastructure related to intertwined social-ecological processes and interactions in social-ecological systems, across all six EFTEON landscapes, particularly how to quantify and monitor these changes over time and integrate these into the broader SAEON context. In addition, the EFTEON Landscape Scientist will be responsible for coordinating the day to day operations of one of the EFTEON Landscapes in which the scientist is based .

Key Responsibilities:

• The Landscape Scientist - Social Ecological Systems is expected to develop the technical aspects of the EFTEON Research Infrastructure related to intertwined social-ecological processes and interactions in social-ecological systems, across all six EFTEON landscapes, particularly how to quantify and monitor these changes over time and integrate these into the broader SAEON context
• In addition, the EFTEON Landscape Scientist will be responsible for managing the day to day operations of one of the EFTEON Landscapes in which the scientist is based
• The key responsibilities of the EFTEON Landscape Scientist – Social Ecological Systems include the following:1
• Social Ecological Systems Research – Across EFTEON a
• Development of the EFTEON Social Ecological Systems Research Program for long term observations of interactions between social and ecological systems across all six EFTEON landscapes b
• Developing and guiding a complex adaptive systems approach towards EFTEON research infrastructure c
• Using best local and international practice to embed EFTEON research infrastructures within their respective communities d
• Guiding and managing EFTEON ETHICS considerations relating to local communities and individual human subjects e
• Development and documentation of the procedures and requirements for a) repeated social-ecological surveys b) quantitative and qualitative assessment of ecosystem service use and provision across the EFTEON Landscapes 3) appropriate and best practice management of social-ecological systems data in co-ordination with local and international specialists and appointed thematic technical committees
• f
• Engagement with the local and international scientific community relating to SES research on the EFTEON RI g
• Preparation of research papers and other forms of scientific output2
• Management Responsibilities for the in which the Landscape Scientist is based a
• Managing EFTEON Landscape office including instrumentation in the landscape b
• Managing team of (2-4) technicians responsible for instrumentation, biodiversity sampling and social ecological sampling and surveys c
• Managing students and visiting scientists to the landscape d
• Undertaking engagement on behalf of EFTEON with the local stakeholders- including the development of landscape fora e
• Regular technical inspections and technical audits of site instrumentation and compliance with procedures
• f
• Liaison with the national and international scientific community and established communities of practice and landscape committees on site performance, data and site operations g
• Liaison with instrumentation suppliers in terms of identification of new equipment, procurement, and instrument maintenance and operation support The data will be collected by technicians and scientists deployed to the EFTEON Landscapes, the key role of the Landscape Scientist -SES is to drive the development of the procedures to be used, the development of the site technicians and scientists and ensuring inter-comparability between sites and over time

Minimum Qualification:

• Doctoral Degree / NQF 10

Minimum Experience:

• 3-3 years

• •Experience in the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of ecosystem services, nature’s contribution to people and/or ecological infrastructure•Experience in inter- and transdisciplinary research for sustainable conservation or natural resource management •Experience in researching or managing complex adaptive systems in the context of social ecological research

Experience:

• •Experience in facilitating inter- and transdisciplinary focus groups, workshops and meetings •Demonstrable experience in natural resource management or environmental governance •Evidence of science policy engagement relating to natural resource management or sustainable development •Experience with adaptive management or adaptive collaborative management•Experience in taking an adaptive learning monitoring, learning and evaluation approach•Experience in biodiversity monitoring or hydrological or atmospheric observations •Strong data analytical skills (R or Python) •Skills and experience in the analysis of spatial data (GIS and RS) •Evidence of using traditional or local knowledge in research •Experience in the development of quality management systems for observational network operations and maintenance •Staff supervision and performance management experience •Experience and demonstrable success in the technical training, mentoring and capacitation of junior staff •Analytical and systematic approach with good organization, planning, problem solving, self-management, co-ordination and reporting skills •Ability to take initiative and work independently in remote environments •Service delivery orientation to internal and external stakeholders •Ability to work cooperatively with a wide range of people (peers, scientists, students, land owners and project collaborators)

Knowledge:

• Completed PhD degree in an appropriate field related to Environmental Science, Ecology, Economics, Anthropology, Politics, Complexity Science, or related fields with a particular interest in intertwined, complex adaptive social- ecological systems
• •Demonstrated research interest in Social-Ecological systems research •Driver’s license required Code 8 / EB-Off-road driving skills and willingness to travel to remote locations and advantage

The NRF website provides more details on the initiatives and activities
Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by registering and apply online through the NRF Recruitment and Selection Portal.
Applications should be accompanied by a letter of motivation indicating the applicant·s suitability for the position.
The names and contact details of at least three referees should be provided.

Desired Skills:

• Skilled in applied field of position
• Knowledge to be relevant
• Responsible in performing duties

About The Employer:

The South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) is a research platform funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF) since 2002. SAEON is mandated to establish and manage long-term environmental observatories; maintain reliable long-term environmental data sets; promote access to data for research and/or informed decision making; and contribute to capacity development.
SAEON has recently embarked on the establishment of the Expanded Freshwater and Terrestrial Environmental Observation Network (EFTEON). EFTEON is a Research Infrastructure that has been developed under the DST South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap (SARIR) program. The EFTEON is intended to provide a platform of well- described and instrumented landscapes to the South African and International research community, in order to facilitate research into global change, ecosystem processes, social-ecological interactions and to provide data for remote sensing and model validation and calibration. Including continuous measurements of micrometeorological parameters, meteorological parameter and hydrological measurements. With repeated measurements of biodiversity, productivity and other environmental characteristics.