ST HELENA GOVERNMENT
TERMS OF REFERENCE
TERRESTRIAL CONSERVATION OFFICER
Date:
1.
Background
1.1 The island of St Helena is an internally self-governing Overseas Territory of the United
Kingdom located in the South Atlantic approximately 4,000 miles from the UK. The Government
comprises a Governor (who is appointed by the Crown) an Executive Council, which has the
general control and direction of Government, and a Legislative Council. The Governor retains
responsibility for internal security, external affairs, defence, the public service, finance and
shipping.
1.2 The island’s population is around 4,500 and it has a typical small island economy
with a high import dependency, a narrow economic base, a large public sector (around
790 staff), and significant outward labour migration.
St Helena receives UK Government financial assistance to support recurrent and capital
expenditure as part of their obligation to ensure that the reasonable needs of the population
are met.
1.3 The overall vision of the St Helena Government (SHG) is
“Strengthened community and family life through vibrant economic growth, with opportunities
for all to participate, within a framework of effective government and law.”
1.4 To support this vision there are three National Goals:
 A vibrant economy providing opportunities for all to participate
 Strong community and family life
 Effective management of the environment
1.5 In November 2011 HMG agreed to fund an airport. Construction is underway and
operations are scheduled to begin in early 2016. The major construction activity leading up to
this will significantly enhance St Helena’s economic prospects and have a dramatic impact on
the island community, bringing a period of accelerated social and economic change.
Achievement of the Goals and Strategic Objectives will require sound management and
transformation of the public sector to make it a professional, modern, and flexible organisation
able to initiate and respond to change.
1.6 SHG is embedding a modernisation programme that will enable the Public Service to
improve its delivery of the government’s developmental objectives. Central to this programme
has been the re-structuring of Government functions and directorates. There are currently four
directorates reporting to the Chief Secretary who is the head of the Service; Education and
Employment, Health and Social Welfare, Environment & Natural Resources and Corporate
Services. The Police Service reports to the Governor.
1.7 The Mission for the Environment & Natural Resources Directorate:
‘To manage and develop [protect} St Helena’s natural and built environment in order to
promote a successful economy and a healthy community.’
The role of Environmental Management Division is to:
Be the focus of environmental management for the St. Helena Government through the
creation and implementation of policy and regulation, and the provision of advice: underpinned
by a clear, transparent research-led evidence-base; supported by a systematic monitoring and
evaluation and a comprehensive communications and stakeholder engagement strategy.
Please see Organisation chart at Annex 2
2.
Key Objectives
2.1 The overall objectives of the post of Terrestrial Conservation Officer are:Responsible to the Head of Environmental Management Division to deliver the Environmental
Management programme of management, protection and development of the Island’s habitats,
ensuring their restoration and maintenance for the enjoyment of present and future
generations.
Supervision: Direct:
3.
1 Chargehand and 6 Habitats Workers
Scope of Work
3.1
The duties of the Terrestrial Conservation Officer shall include, but not be limited to, the
following:
Responsible for reviewing, monitoring, evaluating and ensuring timely delivery of:
Outputs related to Habitat restoration and management under the Peak’s
Protected Areas.
To provide expert advice to support major SHG and private sector project mitigation works as
required.
To provide input into the construction of a National Conservation Areas Management Framework
and Plans with regards to vulnerable plant and habitat restoration management requirements.
Establish and maintain data, records and guidelines for the Habitats Programme and ensure
historic and current data is stored and maintained in the Geographical Information System (GIS).
Provide an annual assessment of current, short-term and long term impacts to the terrestrial
environment.
Identify gaps in baseline information of St. Helena’s freshwater and terrestrial environment, and
initiate and support conservation efforts where gaps are identified. Provide and coordinate
support to Wirebird mitigation initiatives.
2
Take responsibility for the planning, contracting out and monitoring of the Habitats Programme
fieldwork-based contractual arrangements.
Contribute to the compilation of projects for funding to donor organisations (such as OTEP) and
support the Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources with the implementation of projects
where funding is secured to progress TCS activities. Attend project steering group meetings as
appropriate.
Assist the Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Environmental Management
Directorate’s Manager of the Nature Conservation Division with the development and
management of the Terrestrial Conservation Section Action Plan (AP) to achieve existing and new
directions for the Habitats Programme and to manage and monitor staff working on the Habitats
Programme to ensure outputs are achieved.
Assist the Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Manager of the Conservation
Division with the organisation and delivery of raising public awareness of Habitats Programmes,
for example; tours to visitors and tourists, production of educational leaflets and contributing to
wider ANRD/EMD environmental programmes.
Take responsibility for oversight and the operation of the annual Habitats Team’s activity
programme in order to achieve the objectives and targets for the Habitats Programme as set out
in the Action Plan, including the compilation, and monitoring of the annual budget.
Take responsibility for a Personal Development Programme and the preparation and
implementation of a Training Development Plan for subordinate staff within the Habitats Team to
assist their development of skills and experience. Deliver training to staff, youths and work
experience students engaged in the habitats programme as necessary.
To actively develop good working relationships and links for the Directorate with Royal Botanic
Gardens Kew, NGO’s and other local and external environmental stakeholders and sectors e.g.
tourism to increase conservation benefits to the Island.
Take responsibility for ensuring the adherence by Habitats Team’s staff to ANRD Health and
Safety Policy requirements.
4.
Qualifications and experience
The Terrestrial Conservation Officer will be expected to have the following:
4.1
Essential
First Degree or equivalent in a relevant conservation subject area;
At least I years’ experience of plant conservation and habitat restoration work;
Computer literacy in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint;
Experience of delivery of projects;
Basic knowledge of GIS or willing to be trained in GIS;
3
A track record of teamwork and working with the public and non-government organisations on
general and special sectoral interests;
A valid driving licence.
4.2
Desirable
At least 3 years middle management experience of working in plant propagation, enhancement
and restoration techniques in conservation;
At least 2 years of supervisory experience with field staff, contractors and volunteers involving
an element of training and mentoring;
A keen interest in practical ‘grassroots’ conservation;
Some experience of working with desktop publishing software;
‘Training of trainers’ skills and experience;
Experience of working with the implementation of/or under incentive schemes and
innovative work methods is desirable.
Proficiency in database management
5. Competencies
Under the SHG Competency framework, this post holder is required to have the competencies
as outlined in the attached annex.
6.
Outputs, Timing and Reporting
1. The Terrestrial Conservation Officer shall provide to the Head of Environmental
Management Division bi-annual reports on progress against key indicators to be
agreed in advance with the Head of Environmental Management Division.
2. The post will be for the duration of the Darwin Initiative project “Cloud Forest Trees
& Associated Invertebrates” which is a two year project. Performance will be
measured with respect to the Directorate’s overall performance in service delivery,
increases in operational effectiveness and efficiency. A probationary report will be
completed after 6 months.
3. The Terrestrial Conservation Officer will report directly to the Head of
Environmental Management Division
4
Annex
SHG Competency Framework Levels
Professional Development
 Required Professional Competency standards met
Planning and delivery of work
 Work is delivered on time, efficiently and to the required quality standards with
clarification sought when necessary and relevant parties kept up to date on progress
Analysis and use of information
 Outputs, including the evaluation of policies, projects and programmes are evidence
based and decision making and solutions are established by interpreting trends
Decision making
 Solves problems that have significant short-term implications for the directorate and
assesses the impact of decisions made. Decisions are formed based on trends, patterns
and causes rather than just symptoms and is evidence based and made in compliance
with policy guidelines.
Working with others
 Engages effectively with senior managers and other stakeholders using a range of
communication mechanism, and shares and implements good practice with all.
Communication
 Ensure that all important messages are well structured, understand the needs and
aspirations of others and present information accordingly.
Influencing and persuading
 Encourages and provides constructive feedback to improve performance. Ensure
alternative approaches to work in order to meet the needs of the organisation and
individual needs.
Dealing with change
 Flexible, adaptable and receptive to any change initiatives. Will support colleagues in
understanding and embracing change by focusing on benefits to self and others.
Continuous improvement
 Be able to use appropriate systems and tools and share knowledge and experience with
others.
5
Managing resources
 Works within appropriate guidelines and capable of dealing with varied situations with
limited guidance
6
Environmental Management Division
Head of EMD
Environmental
Assessment &
Advocacy
Manager
Environmental
Assistant
(Monitoring &
Assessment)
Environmental
Assistant
(Promotion &
Assessment)
Species
Conservation &
Environmental
Research Officer
Shayla Ellick
Conservation
Worker
Conservation
Worker
Key
ENRD Senior
Management
Section Managers
Other Staff
Environmental
Risk Manager
Terrestrial
Conservation
Advisor &
Trainer
Conservation
Worker
Terrestrial
Conservation
Officer
Nurseries
Officer
Chargehand
(Habitats)
Chargehand
(Species)
Conservation
Worker
Conservation
Worker
Conservation
Worker
Climate Change
and Pollution
Officer
Met Officer
Manager
Marine
Conservation
Officer
Deputy Met
Manager
Marine
Assistant
Handyman/
Cleaner
Marine
Assistant
Conservation
Worker
Conservatio
n Worker
Conservation
Worker