Junior Field Ecologist - South African Restoration Project

Why Us

Imperative is a global carbon project development company committed to delivering projects in the top decile for quality worldwide. Through a build-own-operate model, we design, develop, and manage high-integrity carbon projects that mitigate climate change while enhancing biodiversity, strengthening local economies, and supporting community development.

In South Africa, Imperative is developing one of the country’s most ambitious nature-based solutions: a large-scale native-species restoration project covering 35,000 hectares and targeting 100,000 hectares of revegetation across the Eastern and Western Cape. The project will transform degraded landscapes, generate significant high-quality carbon credits, and contribute meaningfully to climate, ecological, and community resilience. This role offers the opportunity to contribute directly to one of the world’s flagship carbon restoration initiatives.

Our Values 

Our culture is shaped by a shared commitment to excellence and impact. We encourage every team member to embody the following values.

• Integrity: We act honourably and are guided by a strong moral compass. If things go wrong, we put our hand up, admit it and adapt.
• Momentum: Speed matters. We have a bias to action. We think quick, we plan tirelessly, we mitigate risks but above all, we take action.
• Purpose: We are driven by our desire to make the world better, with every interaction, process and project.
• Accountability: We do what we say, and we deliver. We seek to be the best at what we do.
• Collaboration: We celebrate diversity of thought, values and backgrounds and seek to harness the strength of our people and partners to achieve more than we individually can, through teamwork and creativity.
• Tenacity: We are highly ambitious, driven and hardworking. We persist until we deliver impact.

Position Purpose

The Junior Field Technician will support the Ecology Team in executing the project’s baseline and long-term monitoring activities. These activities span several domains, including survival and herbivory monitoring, biomass and carbon assessments, biodiversity inventories, and social impact surveys. Each Junior Field Technician will be assigned a primary focus area based on their skills, training, and project needs, while also supporting cross-cutting tasks as required.

Key Responsibilities

The Junior Field Technician will support one or more of the project’s ecological and social monitoring streams. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Planning and Conducting Field Assessments: Support the Senior Field Technician in organising and performing baseline and regular monitoring assessments covering carbon, biodiversity and social elements of the project.
• Vegetation and Biomass Monitoring: Assist in conducting regular vegetation surveys throughout the project area.
• Camera Traps and Acoustic Surveys: Participate in setting up, maintaining, and conducting biodiversity inventories and surveys using camera traps and audio recorders to capture data on local wildlife.
• Social Surveys and Interviews: Conduct interviews and social surveys to collect information on local communities’ perspectives, needs, and impacts experienced, in alignment with project objectives.
• Data Tool and Template Development: Help to develop and refine tools, frameworks, and templates to improve data collection, streamline data entry, and support efficient analysis.
• Data Management and Analysis: Store, manage, and conduct preliminary analyses of ecological, biodiversity, social and other scientific data, ensuring data accuracy, organisation, and accessibility for team use.
• Reporting: Provide regular reports on data collected, including initial analyses to inform project adjustments and further planning.
• Participation in Technical Events: Engage in technical sessions, workshops, and conferences, contributing insights and gaining skills to enhance project outcomes.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Participate, when required, to local stakeholder meetings to help in its organisation.

Essential Skills and Attributes

Key skills and attributes required for the role are;

• Foundational knowledge of carbon, biodiversity, or social monitoring methods.
• Strong analytical skills and a high attention to detail, paired with the ability to operate effectively in field environments.
• Ability to synthesise technical information clearly and communicate findings concisely.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in diverse, cross-functional teams.
• Adaptability, initiative, and motivation to learn new methodologies and tools rapidly.
• Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel regularly within the Eastern Cape restoration areas.

Qualifications

A National Diploma or Bachelor’s degree (BSc / BTech, NQF 6 or higher) in Nature Conservation, Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, Conservation Biology or a related field.

Position Location

South Africa, Gqeberha.