Climate change is affecting Australian farmers and is one of the biggest threats to our agricultural future. It is time for our sector to address climate change head-on with a solutions-focused organisation created by farmers, for farmers.

Farmers for Climate Action (FCA) is a new network of farmers and leaders in agriculture who are working with our peers, the wider agricultural sector and political & business decision-makers to make sure Australia takes the actions necessary to address damage to our climate.

We are determined to see farmers get the support and investment we need to adapt to a changing climate, as well as be part of the solution. We have a small but growing supporter base of around 2000 farmers, with 650 engaged in advocacy campaigns and a core volunteer group of about 20-30. We are spread far and wide across the country, with our most active farmers are in NSW and Victoria.

This role is a unique opportunity to transform an organisation that is at a start-up stage into one that is playing a major role to ensure agriculture in Australia thrives into the future. You’ll not only be meeting and influencing key decision makers but also working directly with a group of enthusiastic farmers.

As CEO, you will spend about half of your time as the public face of the organisation, and the other half as a community organiser, recruiting and supporting new farmers to get involved in FCA projects.

Your public-facing role means you will effectively act as an ambassador for the issue of climate change in the Australian agricultural world - making sure it’s no longer the ‘elephant in the room’ and helping to ensure both its impacts and solutions are factored into farming discussions and policies. Your internal work with the network will involve building the capacity of farmers around Australia, supporting them to work with their communities and sectors to build climate resilience and reduce emissions through innovative practice on farms.

The CEO's role is catalytic in nature - sparking broader change within the sector by participating in agricultural meetings (FCA is a member of the National Farmers Federation) in order to support the whole sector to engage with climate change and its implications for agriculture more deeply.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Leading collaborative strategy and planning processes for the group’s campaigns and projects: including critical path mapping, developing a theory of change, and leading the creation of a strategic plan.
2. Building and maintaining strong relationships: with farmers, agricultural representative bodies, agribusinesses, Government agencies and funding bodies such as philanthropic foundations. Your relationships will be key to ensuring FCA is firmly on the radar of farmers, agricultural groups, foundations and politicians as a trusted voice on issues relating to agriculture and climate change, and renewable energy in rural communities.
3. Being a public face for Farmers for Climate Action: acting as a key spokesperson for the group in the media, and raising the issue of climate change at National Farmers’ Federation meetings, agricultural conferences, and other events. On average, the role will involve travel for a few days each month for meetings or conferences.
4. Project management (including managing budgets, contractors and volunteers) to ensure the group achieves its campaign and project goals effectively and in accordance with timelines and resourcing.
5. Producing communications products including a regular newsletter, social media content, and thought leadership papers.
6. Facilitating meetings of the steering committee and working groups, made up of our most active volunteer farmers.

Core competencies:

• Exceptional relationship building, relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills;
• Exceptional verbal communication skills – including the ability to inspire through public speaking and the ability to represent a position on TV and radio;
• Exceptional written communication skills;
• Strategic thinking - the ability to understand power relationships and design effective campaign strategy to create change;
• Ability to work effectively with high degree of autonomy and accountability; self motivated and can demonstrate initiative;
• An understanding of how to build and support social movements and networks;
• Excellent networks in the agricultural space – you’re someone who is already known and respected by your peers in agricultural and agri-political circles;
• Passion for both the future of agriculture in Australia and solving the climate crisis is critical.

Even if you only meet some of these requirements, but you think you’re right for the job and are ready to learn, we’re keen to hear from you. The role will be developed to meet the skills and experience of the right candidate.

The ideal candidate will be someone who is genuinely passionate about tackling climate change because of its impacts on agriculture, who has an ambitious attitude to taking on big challenges, and is ready to build a small but high-potential network into a thriving, high-impact organisation.

Remuneration: A competitive salary package (range between $70-$100K) will be negotiated with the successful applicant based on experience.

Location: Flexible. The role involves travel, so proximity to an airport is important. Living within driving distance of Canberra would be a benefit for attending meetings with NFF, Government departments, and federal politicians, but the right person is far more important than the right location.