• Work Type: Part Time 0.8 FTE (30 hours per week)
• Location: Alice Springs
• Salary: $70 000 pro rata

ABOUT THE ROLE 

We're looking for an experienced and energetic campaigner; someone who can hit the ground running and play a pivotal role in building a people-powered campaign to stop fracking and gas pipelines from damaging country, climate and culture in the Northern Territory. 

You will lead on developing the strategy and rolling out an ambitious anti-fracking campaign, while working closely with Lock the Gate Alliance, Protect Country Alliance and local environmental action groups, to collectively mobilise people to take action and amplify the voices of local communities against fracking in the NT. 

Gas extraction is a key pillar of the Northern Territory and Federal Government’s ‘gas led’ recovery. The Beetaloo Basin in the top-end of the Territory is the focus of the national gas strategy and the Federal Government has made opening up the Beetaloo's gas reserves a national priority. Two major gas pipeline infrastructure projects have also been flagged for development.

WHO WE ARE 

Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC) is Central Australia’s peak environmental organisation, defending Australia’s iconic desert country for 40 years. We are building a strong base of local people acting together for a safe climate, thriving desert communities and the protection of arid landscapes and ecosystems.  We advocate for nature and strong environmental laws. We deliver on the ground projects in the areas of conservation and sustainability. We organise and support grassroots campaigns and empower people through knowledge and skills for living sustainably in the arid lands.

The Arid Lands Environment Centre acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands we work on and their vital role in caring for country for many thousands of years, now, and into the future.

The role will involve the following responsibilities:

• Working with communities in the Central Australian region, along the proposed gas pipeline routes and in the Beetaloo to identify and discuss opposition strategies;
• Support local councils and representative local organisations to put up barriers to Government attempts to fast track fracking or to let the fracking industry influence the implementation of the Pepper Recommendations;
• Coordinate a network of landholders, community members and Traditional Owners who can actively participate in protecting the region from gas and fracking activities, linking them to the national campaign;
• Support Traditional Owners and pastoralists who want to demonstrate:
  • their resolve to block fracking, and
  • their work to promote and protect their lands and waters that are set to be impacted;
• Identify and support local leaders;
• Liaise with health professionals, and other experts where appropriate, who can speak in their professional capacity about the risks of fracking;
• Contribute to the development of campaign materials for diverse Territory audiences including maps, easy to read fact sheets and social media content;
• Provide relevant, up to date information to supporters through media, campaign updates and direct communications about:
  • the negative impacts of shale gas extraction, and
  • the benefits and possibilities of pursuing renewable energy generation instead;
• Continue to grow the Protect Country Alliance, Central Australian Frack Free Alliance and Lock the Gate supporter list through petitions, sign ups, stalls and events;
• Contribute to drafting of media releases in response to government policy announcements and news about fracking . Help identify and support community spokespeople from the impacted areas, to raise the voices of people on the front line of gas and fracking developments in the media;
• Contribute website content about specific campaign events/information;
• Coordinate detailed research where appropriate, and produce useful campaign materials from the research reports and findings;
• Work co-operatively with other NT Coordinators and other stakeholder organisations as part of the broader Protect Country Alliance and generally with the other LTG Regional and National coordinators;
• Participate in the LTG National team meetings occasionally where appropriate.
• Work with the Central Australian Frack Free Alliance to support an effective partnership and attend CAFFA meetings regularly

The responsibilities of this role are subject to change from time to time depending on the campaign conditions and strategic environment.

The position requires someone who possesses:

Essential skills

• Great people skills and demonstrated ability to build strong working relationships with a broad range of people including Traditional Owners, community groups and other stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively and work well in a team in what can be high-stress environments
• Persuasive public communication skills and strong leadership
• An articulate and engaging approach to media and political outreach
• Outstanding organisational skills and experience in managing people and logistics
• Experience in managing volunteers, including building and supervising teams
• A mind to strategy and recognising campaign opportunities in various contexts
• Experience in event management and implementation
• A commitment to kindness, compassion and genuine collaboration in teamwork and conflict resolution

Desirable skills

• Extensive experience in in community-based training and capacity building
• Experience designing and implementing effective outreach materials
• Experience in relevant data management software