Protecting Australia’s Nature

Australia is the only nation on Earth that also spans a continent. Because of its isolation over many millions of years, Australia is one of 17 nations in the world to be considered “megadiverse” because of its exceptional biodiversity. In 2007, Pew began its conservation work in Australia, and as our program matured, we formed partnerships with First Nations communities and local conservation partners to advance place-based protections. Pew is a results-oriented organisation. Our work in Australia has led to the declaration of the world’s largest network of marine parks, the doubling of Outback land protected in Australia’s National Reserve System and secured over $1 billion in funding for Indigenous land management. While efforts have expanded Australia’s terrestrial and marine protected areas, the ecological health of Australia’s landscapes is threatened by a range of pressures, including invasive species, habitat loss, overfishing, water extraction and climate change. Australia’s key environmental indicators continue to decline, including the conservation status of threatened and endemic species. Pew’s Protect Australia’s Nature team and our partners have a continental focus, aiming to extend protection to critical terrestrial, marine and freshwater systems.

Position Overview

The Officer, Protecting Australia’s Nature, is responsible for leading Pew’s national campaign work on advocating to ensure Australia meets the ‘30x30’ goal of protecting 30 percent of Australia’s land mass by 2030 in high quality protected areas. The role will have a particular emphasis on coordination with internal and external campaign partners, effective engagement with the Federal Government and key stakeholders, and ensuring strong and effective public communications. Working with the project director (terrestrial), the officer is responsible for developing and driving the implementation of the campaign strategies which will deliver the project’s deliverables. The officer also contributes to the broader objectives of the Protecting Australia’s Nature TOP, time permitting.

The officer reports to the project director (terrestrial), Protecting Australia’s Nature. Location is flexible with a preference for Sydney (home office) or Pew’s Brisbane office (which is eligible for up to 60% telework.)

Responsibilities

• Manage the Protecting Australia’s Nature federally focused protected areas campaign.
• Develop and implement campaign strategy, delivering campaign results in accordance with the project’s goals.
• Coordinate with the other relevant campaign leads and project partners.
• Develop and maintain partnerships.
• Manage campaign communications and undertake media as needed.
• Conduct political engagement as needed.
• Supervise and manage work of contractors.
• Develop and manage project budgets.
• Contribute to the overall management of the Protecting Australia’s Nature project as needed.
• Collaborate across other campaigns in the Protecting Australia’s Nature project to add value to the broader Australia program.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• At least 8 years of applicable experience.
• Preferred experience in state and national level advocacy. This includes experience in the design and implementation of campaigns aimed at solving conservation needs, or similar.
• Strong knowledge on protected areas, biodiversity conservation and management, environmental advocacy, and working with Indigenous communities in Australia.
• Experience with developing and leading campaigns, and a track record of campaign success.
• Good judgment, able to make decisions, justify recommendations, and be responsive and clear with consultants, colleagues, direct reports and partners. Successful experience in creating campaigns that produce measurable results. Able to inspire and effectively coach staff and contractors.
• Able to set short- and long-term planning goals in line with program strategy. Ability to develop and manage campaign budgets. A task-oriented style, with focus on achieving clear and ambitious goals. Demonstrated ability to meet multiple deadlines across campaigns by being organised and able to prioritise well. Able to develop and move campaigns forward with a high degree of independence and autonomy.
• Ability to synthesise information rapidly and to determine the right time and nature of intervention. A strong commitment to producing measurable results.
• Experience managing and implementing well-researched communications strategies across all platforms. Strong written and oral communications skills. Adept at facilitation.
• Good interpersonal skills; able to develop and manage respectful, productive relationships with colleagues, direct reports, consultants, partners, and others relevant to the role. Excellent listening skills. A good understanding of how to manage by influencing others and the ability to read nuances of meaning accurately.
• Exhibit skills of diplomacy. Able to work productively with a wide array of people, cultures, sectors, and institutions that have different perspectives and objectives. A track record of identifying potential partners, cultivating relationships, and generating interest and support for a cause.
• Strong management expertise and experience with both managing individuals and teams with a particular view to setting clear work programs, building capacity, team building, and fostering a healthy culture.

Travel

Travel is required periodically throughout Australia and occasionally to The Pew Charitable Trusts office in Washington, D.C. (consistent with Pew COVID-19 safety protocols).

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Contact

Please contact Tim Nicol, Deputy Director via [email protected] using the subject line: Officer, Protecting Australia's Nature - Brisbane / Sydney enquiry via EthicalJobs should you have any questions about this role.