Are you passionate about Western Australia’s stunning landscapes and unique wildlife? Do you want to play a role in creating a better future for both nature and people in the Outback?

The Partnership for the Outback is seeking a motivated leader with experience in engaging with pastoralists and other pastoral lease holders, policy makers and Traditional Owners for the newly created position of Partnerships Manager (WA Pastoral Lands Conservation).

The Partnerships Manager will work with a skilled team who have a strong track record of making positive change for people and nature. The successful candidate will lead advocacy efforts to create new transformative policies and programs to improve conservation and restoration of natural and cultural values; and sequestration of carbon; in the WA rangelands. The role will have a strong focus on stakeholder engagement in regional and remote areas.

The Partnerships Manager will be working for the Partnership for the Outback, an alliance between The Pew Charitable Trusts, Bush Heritage Australia, Conservation Council of WA and the Wildflower Society of WA. The partnership works with pastoralists and other pastoral lease holders, Traditional Owners, scientists, industry and policy makers to support the conservation and sustainable management of Western Australia’s rangelands.

The Partnership for the Outback understands that many of the threats to nature in the Australian Outback require active management by people and that many pastoral regions are experiencing long-term and ongoing social and economic decline. There are less people in the Outback now than there have been for many thousands of years. We work to design and advocate for the implementation of evidence-based programs and policies that protect nature whilst also creating new opportunities for jobs and investment in the Outback.

Role and responsibilities

The Partnerships Manager will be responsible for:

1. Engaging with pastoral leaseholders to identify and develop practical conservation and restoration opportunities on pastoral land in Western Australia.
2. Working with leaseholders, Traditional Owners and key stakeholders to build support for public investment and policy measures to support practical conservation and restoration activities on pastoral land.
3. Engaging with policy makers to inform and influence legislative, policy and budgetary decisions in relation to conservation, restoration and sustainable management of pastoral lands.
4. Working with pastoral leaseholders, Traditional Owners, policy makers and conservation partners to secure long-term protection and effective management of conservation values on pastoral land.
5. Building public understanding of pastoral land conservation and maintaining an active and engaged supporter base in the community.

Selection criteria

The ideal candidate for this role will be able to demonstrate:

• A track record of working effectively with leaseholders
• Familiarity with the pastoral and/or farming sector
• A desire to secure long-term outcomes for nature and people
• An understanding of conservation and sustainable land management
• A track record of successful stakeholder engagement and policy advocacy

Existing relationships with pastoral landholders, industry associations, conservation organisations and policymakers would be an asset. Knowledge of Native Title and working with Native Title holders would also be beneficial.

Conditions

• Full time contract role
• The location of the role is flexible (within Western Australia)
• Mobile phone, office and travel costs covered