20 February 2025
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) invites experts to apply to serve on the Alien Species Risk Analysis Review Panel (ASRARP). ASRARP is a scientific advisory panel on issues regarding biosecurity hosted by SANBI (with SANBI acting on behalf of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in terms of the NEM:BA A&IS Regulations of 2020).
As such ASRARP provides important scientific support to decision-makers but does not itself make decisions. As outlined in its terms of references ASRARP’s roles are to:
- make informed recommendations on whether to approve applications, and any permit conditions pertaining thereto, to: import alien species; list species under the NEM:BA A&IS Regulations; delist species under the NEM:BA A&IS Regulations; and change the category under which species are listed under the NEM:BA A&IS Regulations;
- develop a set of standard conditions under which species listed as category 2 may be granted a permit, and review any recommendations for such conditions;
- review risk analyses conducted on currently listed species to ensure that they are appropriately conducted;
- as necessary, review risk analysis guidelines aligned to Chapter 6 of the NEMBA A&IS Regulations;
- establish realistic timeframes for review of applications in the context of the number of applications received;
- identify external expert reviewers who can review risk analyses;
- ensure that recommendations consider best available evidence of overall environmental, human health, and socio- economic risks and benefits associated with alien species;
- be available to provide recommendations on any proposed changes to the A&IS Regulations before they are sent to the Minister for approval; and
- ensure recommendations and the evidence underpinning them are clearly and transparently communicated.
Candidates must have knowledge on the science and management of biological invasions and must be registered as a professional scientist with SACNASP or an equivalent professional body. Experience conducting risk analyses in relation to biological invasions and serving on similar such panels would be advantages. ASRARP is keen to ensure there are representatives with expertise across all taxonomic groups and environments relevant to invasions in South Africa.
ASRARP is due to meet four times a year, and panel members are remunerated for their time spent preparing for and attending these meetings with an amount of R710 per hour, with the Chair of the panel rate set at R807 per hour. There is a separate flat rate of R5 680 for acting as the ASRARP member handling the review of a risk analysis. The term of office will run from 01 April 2025 until 31 March 2028.
Experts are invited to send their detailed CVs and a covering letter outlining their specific field(s) of expertise. CVs can either be sent electronically to InvasiveRiskPanel@sanbi.org.za, cced to asrarp.rsa@gmail.com (marked ASRARP Application in the subject line)
ASRARP members need to register on the Central Supplier Database of the National Treasury to be remunerated.
Closing date for applications
Friday, 14 March 2025 at 16h30
Enquires
Dr Ashlyn Levadia Padayachee
E-mail: a.padayachee@sanbi.org.za
For details of risk analysis and the Risk Analysis for Alien Taxa Framework please refer to the following sources:
Kumschick, S., Wilson, J.R.U. & Foxcroft, L.C., 2020, ‘A framework to support alien species regulation: the Risk Analysis for Alien Taxa Framework (RAAT)’, in: Wilson, J.R., Bacher, S., Daehler, C.C., Groom, Q.J., Kumschick, S., Lockwood, J.L., Robinson, T.B., Zengeya, T.A., Richardson, D.M. (eds.), Frameworks used in Invasion Science, Neobiota 62, 213-239.
Wilson, J.R.U. & Kumschick, S., 2024, ‘The regulation of alien species in South Africa’, South African Journal of Science, 17002.
The Risk Analysis for Alien Taxa framework guidelines – or can be accessed at Risk analysis for Alien Taxa Framework V2.0.
