• Location: Australia-wide 
• Term: Ongoing 
• Part-time: 22.5 hours per week (0.6 FTE) 
• Remuneration:  SCHADS Level 7: $128,256 + 12% super + 17.5% Annual Leave Loading  
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are particularly encouraged to apply 
• Reporting to: Director, People & Culture  

Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is the largest environmental legal centre in the Australia-Pacific, dedicated to protecting our climate, communities and shared environment by providing access to justice, running ground-breaking litigation and leading law reform advocacy. 
 
Since time immemorial, First Nations and Indigenous peoples have been taking care of their Countries in Australia and the Pasifik. These deep understandings, knowledges and experiences are critical to maintaining the health and vitality of Australia and the Pasifik’s unique wildlife and ecosystems. EDO respects these great knowledges and strongly believes that EDO cannot achieve a world where nature thrives without working for First Nations and Indigenous peoples.   

The opportunity: 

In this role, you’ll contribute to our people and culture strategy and champion our values of collaboration, inclusion and justice across the organisation. You will lead operational HR initiatives and partner with leaders to build a strong, values-led culture. 
 
You will have the opportunity to focus on embedding practices that strengthen culture, capability, engagement and compliance, contributing to a safe, inclusive and high-performing workplace.This is a chance to play a pivotal role in the continued development of an organisation where people feel valued, supported and empowered to deliver on our mission. 

Candidate Profile: 

We are seeking a driven, committed and experienced human resources professional to contribute to our People and Culture strategy and join EDO’s People and Culture team. You will have experience in Human Resources, with a proven track record of leading operational initiatives. As an experienced collaborator, you will play an important role in fostering a positive and collaborative team culture while empowering and contributing to positive organisational outcomes.  

You will demonstrate a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, underpinned by cultural competency and a genuine dedication to reconciliation with First Nations communities. Your expertise will include knowledge of Australian employment law, HR compliance, and contemporary best practice. 
 
With exceptional emotional intelligence and a collaborative mindset, you will work closely with the Director, People and Culture and People and Culture Officer on a range of People & Culture matters.  

Key Responsibilities include: 

• Support the implementation of EDO’s People & Culture Strategy and contribute to initiatives aligned with organisational priorities and goals.  
• Translate strategic priorities into practical people initiatives, processes and tools that support organisational effectiveness and employee experience.  
• Contribute to workforce insights, reporting and analysis to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement.  
• Support initiatives that strengthen a collaborative, inclusive and values-aligned organisational culture across the organisation.  
• Contribute to organisational design and change management initiatives to support sustainable and effective ways of working.  
• Support recruitment, onboarding, development and employee transition processes to ensure a positive and consistent employee experience.  
• Support leaders with performance management processes, employee development and capability-building initiatives.  
• Assist in the coordination and delivery of learning and development initiatives that support individual and organisational growth.  
• Support fair, consistent and compliant people practices in line with relevant legislation, policies and organisational frameworks.  
• Maintain People & Culture systems, records and documentation, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality and data integrity.  
• Contribute to the development, review and continuous improvement of People & Culture policies, procedures and reporting practices. 

Key selection criteria: 

• Demonstrated experience in Human Resources role/s with the ability to contribute to strategic people initiatives and support organisational priorities.  
• Experience supporting leaders and teams with people-related matters, including employee engagement, workforce planning, performance development and organisational change initiatives.  
• Strong understanding of contemporary People & Culture practices, Australian employment legislation and compliance requirements.  
• Experience contributing to inclusive workplace initiatives and fostering collaborative, culturally safe and values-aligned ways of working with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.  
• Well-developed communication, interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams and build trusted working relationships with a range of stakeholders.  
• Demonstrated ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery, including managing competing priorities and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.  
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and the ability to provide accurate reporting, insights and recommendations.  

Personal qualities and cultural competency 

• A champion of the EDO values. 
• Strong initiative and self-motivation. 
• Commitment to the protection of human rights and the environment. 
• A strong sense of ethics and understanding of professional obligations. 
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of First Nations and peoples from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations in both the delivery of our work and our internal culture. 
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative and team-based environment. 

Our Culture and Benefits:   

We care deeply about creating a workplace where our team members feel valued, respected and empowered. We are committed to providing equal opportunity regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or life stage. 

• The chance to be part of the largest environmental legal practice in the Australia-Pacific. 
• A very flexible and family-friendly workplace. 
• Option to work from home. 
• 8 weeks paid parental leave, regardless of gender or carer status. 
• 15 days personal/carers leave. 
• 20 days annual leave. 
• 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave per year. 
• 3 days paid cultural leave per year. 
• Extra paid leave over the Christmas period. 
• Opportunities and encouragement to attend NAIDOC week events. 
• ICIP and Colonial Loading protection within employment contract. 
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program. 
• Ongoing professional development opportunities. 
• EDO proudly has a JEDI (Justice, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion) Committee and a Mental Health Ambassador Committee, and has developed a First Nations Program with the aid of indigenous-led consultancies.  
• Three Affinity groups for the following: Disability, Global Majority* and LGBTQIA+   

*Global Majority is a collective term that first and foremost speaks to and encourages those so-called, to think of themselves as belonging to the majority on planet earth. It refers to people who are Black, African, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, indigenous to the global south, and or, have been racialised as ‘ethnic minorities’.   

Our Values 

Commitment – We are committed to; a united organisation, to each other, to collaboration, to justice, to our communities and to creating a world where nature thrives.   

Diversity – We are respectful of and welcome diversity of staff, volunteers, offices, environmental regions, communities, stakeholders.   

Integrity – We work effectively, efficiently, strategically, professionally, and ethically; “justice is in our nature”.   

Vision – We lead change and environmental empowerment using innovation, creativity, and courage.   

How to Apply

•  Apply via our website by clicking ‘Apply Now'
• To review the position description, please see this link: PD-PC-Manager-May-2026.pdf

If you have queries regarding this advertisement, please contact us at [email protected] using the subject line: People & Culture Manager enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Applications will be assessed as they are received so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to be considered for this role.  

Applications must include a CV and a letter that clearly addresses each of the key selection criteria above. 

The Key Selection Criteria show the minimum essential requirements of the position. The desirable criteria outline additional attributes which would enable the successful candidate to perform the role more effectively; they are not essential but may be used to distinguish between applicants during the shortlisting process.  
 
EDO particularly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Pacific Island people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, workers of all ages, people with disabilities and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.  
 
Please note: Your application may be considered for future roles at the EDO within the next 12 months without additional advertising. Please notify us in your application if you would not like to be considered for similar roles beyond this recruitment. 

If you have any accessibility needs for the recruitment or interviewing process, please let us know in your application or by emailing [email protected] using the subject line: People & Culture Manager enquiry via EthicalJobs. 

Vaccination Requirements  

EDO does not have a vaccination mandate. EDO staff have the option to share vaccination details within the EDO HRIS system. EDO will maintain this record of vaccination status of EDO employees; however, if staff do not wish to disclose this information, it will not be enforced. 

Working with clients face-to-face:  

• EDO works with diverse peoples and groups across the Australian and Pacific communities, including people who are considered a high-risk group in terms of COVID-19.  
• In order to ensure the safety of all EDO employees and the people we work with and around, staff visiting overburdened communities are required to take a COVID-19 test three (3) days prior and on the day of travel to the overburdened community. 

Other Information

All offers of employment may be subject to satisfactory background checks including a National Police Check, disclosure of previous or current disciplinary action, referee checks, proof of eligibility to work in Australia and qualification checks.