Type: 
Paid
Closing date: 
23 Feb 2026
Section: 
Mahe

JOB TITLE:                          Biosecurity Officer

SALARY BAND:                  SG 9       

RESPONSIBLE TO:            Senior Biosecurity Officer

LOCATION:                          Head Office (with support duties on outer islands (including Assomption and  Aldabra, as required)

HOURS OF WORK:           Full-time, 37.5 hours per week 8 am to 4 pm (will be required to work overtime on weekends and public holidays as required by operational schedules)37.5 hours per week

CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND

The Biosecurity Officer (BO) will support SIF’s biosecurity and environmental management functions coordinated through the Head Office, including oversight and support to outer islands during construction, operational, and conservation activities.

The main duties of the BO are to support the Biosecurity Coordinator in:

  1. Ensuring the effective implementation of SIF’s Biosecurity Management Plans (BMPs), including regulatory monitoring, coordination with stakeholders, and collection of relevant data; and
  2. Ensuring that activities under SIF’s mandate comply with approved Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and the conditions outlined in Notices of Acceptance for approved Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs).

The BO will report operationally to the Senior Biosecurity Officer at Head Office. The primary duties are listed below but are not exhaustive and may evolve over time depending on operational needs.

A. Biosecurity implementation

  1. Support the implementation of biosecurity measures coordinated through Head Office for materials, supplies, equipment, and personnel destined for SIF-managed sites.
  2. Ensure that thorough biosecurity checks are implemented to the highest standards for materials, supplies, equipment, and staff.
  3. Maintain a clear understanding of and compliance with biosecurity protocols from point of origin through to final destination.
  4. Support coordination between Head Office, contractors, operations staff, and designated Biosecurity Officers to ensure biosecurity processes operate smoothly and are continuously improved.
  5. Support the preparation of biosecurity reports for the transportation of materials and personnel to outer islands.
  6. Provide regular updates to the Biosecurity Coordinator on biosecurity activities, plans, risks, and concerns.
  7. When required, support biosecurity operations at Head Office for vessel and aircraft clearances and deployment to outer islands.

B. Biosecurity monitoring and data management

  1. Support biosecurity-related biodiversity and environmental monitoring required under approved ESIA conditions, Biosecurity Management Plans, and associated environmental permits.
  2. Where feasible, support baseline and ongoing monitoring of biosecurity-relevant indicators, including invasive species presence, habitat disturbance, vegetation condition, light and noise impacts, and water quality were linked to biosecurity risk.
  3. Maintain accurate inspection records, monitoring datasets, and contribute to compliance reporting and environmental monitoring outputs.
  4. Support and provide guidance to research staff, visiting scientists, and volunteers where activities relate directly to biosecurity surveillance, invasive species monitoring, or ESIA compliance requirements.

C. Reporting and communication responsibilities

  1. Support the preparation of fortnightly environmental and biosecurity reports, including vessel and flight movements, inspections, compliance updates, monitoring results, and minor incidents.
  2. Immediately report serious environmental or biosecurity incidents or regulatory breaches to the Senior Biosecurity Officer and the Senior Environmental Monitoring Officer, SIF, and prepare formal incident reports.
  3. Participate in regular team meetings coordinated through Head Office.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

  • BSc (preferred) in Environmental Science, Conservation Biology, or a related Biosecurity field, or equivalent
  • Minimum 2 years’ experience implementing or supporting biosecurity measures, inspections, or invasive species management
  • Demonstrated experience in environmental monitoring, compliance monitoring, or applied conservation work
  • Experience with island biosecurity systems, quarantine procedures, or transport-related biosecurity
  • Strong report writing, record keeping, and data entry/management skills

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

  • Strong understanding of invasive species risks and biosecurity principle
  • Strong commitment to conservation and protection of island biodiversity
  • High proficiency in Microsoft Office, GPS/GIS tools, and basic data analysis
  • Assertive, ethical, and professional, with the ability to operate in high-responsibility environments
  • Physically fit and prepared to work in remote and challenging conditions
  • Detail-oriented, solutions-driven, and capable of exercising sound judgment

Apply now with an application form (which can be downloaded from our website, or collected at Mont Fleuri or Vallée de Mai Visitor Centre), your C.V. & a cover letter sent to recruitment@sif.sc. Kindly note deadline for application is Monday 23rd February 2025.