• Job title: Renewable Energy Project Developer
• Reports to: Clean Energy Communities Coordinator
• Status: 12-month contract (Option to extend - dependent on project need and funding) 3-month probation Full Time - 35 hours per week (negotiable) (Also open to consultancy or secondment)
• Direct reports: Nil
• Date updated: 14 December 2022
• Salary range: $90,000 - $140,000 pro rata full-time equivalent (based on experience), plus 12% superannuation and access to Salary Sacrifice up to $15,900 p.a.

Original Power:

We are a community-focused, Aboriginal-led organisation that builds the collective power of our people and backs our leadership, skills, and capacity to genuinely achieve self-determination in our community and on country.

Original Power provides strategic advice and campaign support, facilitates capacity building, and connects communities. The demands of climate justice require us to not only confront the climate crisis but in doing so, build our capacity to ensure we are people who can confront all forms of injustice, determine our own futures and help bring greater control and dignity to our communities.

Our current priorities are: supporting the new First Nations Clean Energy Network to grow; running demonstration projects in the NT supporting the powering of local communities with clean energy, defending Country, particularly in the Northern Territory, by supporting communities to decide which projects they give consent to; and advocating for strong cultural heritage and sacred sites protection for generations to come.

We support First Nations peoples and communities to work together to build collective power, share lessons, and campaign together on shared issues.

Original Power is a growing organisation of staff working from home around Australia.

The Position:

Based in the Northern Territory, the Renewable Energy Project Developer will be directly involved in projects that have a significant impact on both First Nations communities and the decarbonisation of Australia’s Energy network. You will take the lead in the delivery of our projects across the Northern Territory where your creative ability to problem solve and implement innovative solutions to First Nations' clean energy challenges will mean the successful delivery of projects in the Territory, with scope in time to expand to other states.

Duties will include:

• Leading the development of community energy projects, from standalone to grid-connected solar and batteries. With a focus on building the capacity of First Nations stakeholders to co-design, own and manage renewable energy assets (i.e. support governance, business development, and operational compliance for community entity partners of Original Power)
• Develop governance structures that support community ownership of energy assets and ongoing operation and maintenance procedures
• Establish best practice project management frameworks to facilitate the rollout of community-owned renewable energy projects
• Responsibility for negotiating successful regulatory and commercial pathways for the connection of renewable energy power systems in various locations across the Northern Territory
• Preparing and assessing commercial contracts and frameworks that support the economic viability of community-led clean energy projects, providing commercial advisory services (for example, negotiating off-take and revenue contracts with government and energy retailers/utilities and connection agreements for our projects, negotiating electricity pricing tariffs, preparing financial modeling for community energy projects)
• Building strong relationships with relevant government and industry stakeholders to secure commercial approvals for our renewable energy projects and policy reforms that improve access and opportunities for First Nations organisations and communities to participate in and benefit from renewable energy projects in their communities and regions.

You will likely have experience in either industry or government programs, having been directly involved in renewable energy project development or policy development, although we are open to all candidates who feel they can deliver the duties outlined above expressing their interest.

Selection criteria:

• Creative problem-solving with high-level strategic thinking skills to solve energy security issues in First Nations communities and facilitating a fast and fair transition to renewable energy that maximises the benefits to First Nations communities
• Strong understanding of energy networks & regulatory framework in the Northern Territory
• Extensive project management experience covering project planning, resource planning, and allocation, stakeholder management, progress monitoring, and reporting
• Exceptional decision-making skills delivered in an open, confident, and persuasive manner, along with excellent presentation and listening abilities
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to manage positive business relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, across both the private and public sectors
• Excellent commercial acumen along with the ability to think strategically
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office Suite and Google Workspace
• A willingness to travel across the Northern Territory and interstate as required
• Strong alignment with Original Power’s purpose and values.

Desirable:

• Ability to Identify trends and opportunities for First Nations led clean energy development, sustainable project finance, technical and legislative developments, and maintaining an understanding of relevant government policy landscape opportunities
• Experience in the renewable or energy sector or community enterprise development.

Please attach a cover letter responding to the selection criteria.