About the role 

This position involves leading the Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA)’s work in two key program areas: policy and advocacy. 

The Policy and Advocacy Manager will help lead the development and implementation of advocacy initiatives to advance CAHA’s policy agenda on climate change and health. This involves both movement building and rapid response initiatives.

You will be someone with a passion for action on climate change who thrives in a complex policy environment. You will lead CAHA’s engagement with policymakers, build capacity among health institutions and health professionals for leadership on climate change and health, and collaborate with our allies on aligned strategy.

The position is based in Melbourne and is a 0.6 FTE at the rate of annual salary package of $85,000 pro-rata. The contract is for one year, with opportunity for an ongoing appointment subject to available funding and performance. 

About Climate and Health Alliance

Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA) is the national peak body on climate change and health in Australia. A coalition of more than 60 health groups, representing more than 500,000 health and medical professionals, CAHA’s mission is to build a powerful health sector movement for climate action and sustainable healthcare.

Our vision is for the health sector to play a leading role in restoring a safe climate, and an ecologically sustainable, just and healthy world.

Our core strategies are to:

1. Activate health professionals as powerful advocates for change
2. Build public support by communicating climate health impacts
3. Advocate for national and global action on the climate health emergency
4. Support the health sector to cut emissions and build climate health resilience
5. Position CAHA as the leading national climate and health peak body in Australia

CAHA is an incorporated association and registered charity based in Melbourne with national operations and international partnerships.

Key responsibilities

The position is required to: 

• Lead on the implementation of initiatives to:
  • Activate health professionals as powerful advocates for change
  • Build public support by communicating climate health impacts
  • Advocate for national and global action on the climate health emergency
• Develop and promote strategic climate-health policy initiatives to influence the policy of political parties and governments on climate change and health
• Build and maintain relationships with MPs, political parties, government and bureaucracy for advocacy and policy development
• Respond to policy windows e.g. producing submissions and policy briefs on topics relevant to health and climate change to state / territory and federal government inquiries and agencies
• Develop written advocacy material for a range of audiences, including CAHA members, supporters, policymakers, and parliamentarians
• Lead and coordinate events and engagement of health professionals and health organisations to socialise and promote CAHA’s policy agenda
• Support and build our networks of health institutions and health professionals with the common goal of advancing action on climate change and health
• Identify and act on opportunities for policy advocacy, and work with team members to develop campaign tactics and initiatives
• Provide material and ideas for use in media and communications, including content for website and social media
• Monitor and evaluate program and campaign impact and outcomes and propose continuing improvements.

The position will also be required to contribute to fundraising and organisational growth by: 

• Identifying potential funding sources (grants, philanthropy, government)
• Contributing to fundraising to support this role through proposal development and grant writing

Your knowledge, experience and skills

Essential: 

• Several years experience in climate or health policy advocacy
• Experience in working in a not for profit organisation or government role with exposure to the not-for-profit sector
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and accurately, prioritising work flow to ensure deadlines are met
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work collaboratively with others, to provide leadership, build relationships, motivate and develop individuals and groups as advocates
• Willingness to support other team members and to foster skill development in other staff and volunteers
• Highly developed interpersonal skills including ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders including CAHA member organisations, government, non-government, community and private sector
• Ability to design and deliver public engagement as well as educational and capacity building initiatives, including workshops and seminars
• Demonstrated high-level written communication skills, particularly in relation to the development of policy papers and submissions
• Demonstrated high level oral communication, negotiation and liaison skills 
• Willingness to work within a small team environment to ensure the achievement of key organisational outcomes

Desirable: 

• Experience in community organising and capacity building strategies
• Skills and experience in digital campaigning and online platforms, including using NationBuilder

Reporting 

The Policy and Advocacy Manager reports to the Executive Director, works closely with the Campaigns and Communications Officer and Projects and Operations Officer, and is accountable to the Executive Director and the CAHA Board, Members, external partners and stakeholders.