Tshifhiwa Munyai
Deputy Director: Biodiversity And Climate
Pretoria
Summary
My professional career journey thus far has shaped me into a strategic problem solver and a budding leader, allowing me an opportunity to contribute to the growth and sustainability of organizations across the Environment sector as they continuously adapt to changes and complexities within their environment and contribute to local and regional economic development.
I serve as a Deputy Director: Biodiversity and Climate Change and the Secondary National Focal Point for the Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services(IPBES.
My work experience include the development and implementation of national policies, legislation, strategies, programmes and other relevant national norms and standards relating to biodiversity and climate change; and the integration and implementation of relevant international conventions, agreements and protocols into national policy and legislation as well as providing specialist technical advice to institutions dealing with biodiversity and climate change and providing sound science-based risk assessment and response planning advice for managing the impacts of unavoidable climate change on terrestrial biodiversity.
I also support the implementation of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the White paper on the Conservation and sustainable use of SA’s biodiversity. Providing strategic guidance, stakeholder engagement and management.
Other professional activities includes supporting the implementation of Natural Capital Accounting in South Africa, presenting during side events, executing international and regional programmes i.e. Growing Greener Project, Natural capital Accounting and Ecosystem services project and the SA EU dialogue ; development of the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for the Biodiversity and Ecosystem sector, Natural Capital Accounting Strategy.
I also provided technical support during the South African chairmanship of the African Group of Negotiators on Biodiversity from August 2019- April 2021. I have working experience in the application of the Convention on Biological Diversity and other relevant Multilateral Environment Agreements such as the Ramsar Convention, Biosafety Protocol and United Nations Convention to Combat desertification.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
Deputy Director: Biodiversity and Climate Change
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environm
09.2019 - Current
- Provide support in the coordination of policy development on the effects of climate change on biodiversity and its linkages thereof.
- Provide support in the implementation and monitoring of the Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) strategy
- Assist in the development and implementation of climate change adaptation strategy for the biodiversity and Ecosystem sector.
- Provide technical support to the development and implementation of climate change adaptation research.
- Provide technical support in the the coordination and national implementation of the CBD, UNCCD and IPBES.
- Secondary Focal point for the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
- Provide technical support during the development of the position papers and cabinet mandate for the CBD and the IPBES.
- Provide technical support during the CBD and IPBES negotiations.
- Provide technical support and advice to intergovernmental and national structures including clients within the public service, private sector and to civil society on biodiversity and climate change matters and issues
Control Biodiversity Officer: Grade A
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment
04.2014 - 08.2019
- Provided support in the coordination of policy development on the effects of climate change on biodiversity and linkages thereof.
- Provide support in the development and implementation of the Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) strategy.
- Established the Ecosystem based adaptation community of practice.
- Supported the the development and implementation of climate change adaptation plans for South Africa’s biomes
- Provide technical support to the development and implementation of climate change adaptation research.
- Provided technchnical support in the coordination and implementation of the CBD, UNCCD and the RAMSAR Convention.
Biodiversity Officer Production: Grade A
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment
05.2011 - 03.2014
- Provided technical and scientific support in the evaluation of Genetically modified organisms permit applications in compliance with the relevant legislation
- Conducted Environmental Risk Assessment on Genetically Modified Organisms permit applications.
- Assisted in the compilation the Department of Environmental Affairs GMO permit applications recommendation report
- Participate and provide inputs during GMO Act Executive Council Meeting
- Assisted in the administration of the GMO permit applications database
- Provided support in the development of biosafety research programmes
- Assisted in the Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
- Assisted with the development and implementation of tools to prevent the introduction of, control and eradicate Alien and Invasive Species (AIS) which threatens ecosystems, habitats or species.
- Coordinating stakeholder consultations.
Environmental Officer
Department Of Environmental Affairs
05.2010 - 04.2011
- Provided assistance coordinating the process to implement the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004(Act No. 10 of 2004)(NEMBA) and the associated Bioprospecting, Access and Benefit Sharing Regulations, 2008.
- Assisted with the execution of Bioprospecting, Access and Benefit Sharing Regulation activities by providing guidance to stakeholders on incomplete permit applications.
- Assisted in the administration of the BABS permit applications database.
- Provided support in the evaluation of permit applications by the expert group
- Assisted with the coordination of capacity building and awareness raising programme on Bioprospecting, Access and Benefit Sharing Regulations.
- Provideed support to the national implementation on ABS, Genetic Resources and related provisions of multilateral agreements of the CBD and The ABS-GEF project in Africa
Education
Master of Science - Botany
University of Venda
Thohoyandou 04.2001 -
Honors Degree in Botanty - Natural Sciences
University of Venda
Thohoyandou, Limpopo 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Natural Sciences
University of Venda
Thohoyandou, Limpopo 04.2001 -
Skills
Program implementation
Strategic planning
Computer
Communication– report writing; presentation skills; verbal and oral communication skills
Interpersonal – team player, team leader, conflict resolution, mediation and sociable
Knowledge of Government policies and procedures Organizational Skills
Research skills – Research methodologies, data collection and analysis
References
Mr Barney Kgope
Director: Biodiversity Risk Management
Department of Environmental Affairs
Tel: 0123999165
Mobile: 0722338506
Email: bkgope@dffe.gov.za
Ms Ntakadzeni Tshidada
Director: Biodiversity Policy Advice
South African National Biodiversity Institute
Mobile: 078 868 2210
Email: N.Tshidada@sanbi.org.za
Adv T B Tshivhase
Legal Administration officer
Dept of Justice and Constitutional Development
Mobile: 082 648 7791
Email: tnenguda@justice.gov.za
Timeline
Deputy Director: Biodiversity and Climate Change
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environm
09.2019 - Current
Control Biodiversity Officer: Grade A
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment
04.2014 - 08.2019
Biodiversity Officer Production: Grade A
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment
05.2011 - 03.2014
Environmental Officer
Department Of Environmental Affairs
05.2010 - 04.2011
Master of Science - Botany
University of Venda
04.2001 -
Honors Degree in Botanty - Natural Sciences
University of Venda
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Natural Sciences
University of Venda
04.2001 -
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