• Location: Must be based in Australia and have a right to work, prefer someone in New South Wales but can be flexible for the right candidate.
• Remuneration:
  Depending on experience (including unpaid and other experiences) and capacity to take on responsibility, the salary range is $78,000 – $95,000 p.a. plus 12.5% superannuation. Two year contract with potential for extension.
• Hours: Full time (open to negotiation)
• Reports to: Research Director

About us

Driven by a passion to solve the climate crisis, The Sunrise Project is a team of experienced change-makers, researchers and communications professionals with a mission to scale social movements to drive the global transition beyond fossil fuels. With programs and staff in Australia, and affiliated programs and staff in Europe, and the US, we have developed a unique model of grant making and campaigning that supports networks of organisations to drive powerful change towards our mission.

We have a dynamic and nimble organisational culture and we’re serious about supporting our people to thrive. We move fast and leaning into the urgency of the climate challenge.

We believe that a diversity of experiences and perspectives will help us build stronger strategies, teams and movements. We strongly encourage First Nations people, people of colour, people living outside of cities, and people with all kinds of bodies and talents to apply. We are continually working on becoming a better workplace for everyone. You can read our commitment to this work here.

About you

You will have an inquisitive and analytical disposition, always striving for a deeper understanding of complex issues and fields and be comfortable bringing your analytical skills to bear on topics outside of your past experience. You will enjoy clearly communicating your technical knowledge and insights to empower your non-expert colleagues. You will be a team player valuing the greater capacity for achievement of a diverse team and also a self-starter happy to work independently when required.

About the role

The Australian fossil fuel sector is vast. Australia is the world’s second largest exporter of coal and liquid natural gas (LNG) with coal power still by far the largest source of domestic electricity generation. Therefore, urgent action is required to curb Australia’s contribution to the climate crisis.

This industry has a hugely significant environmental impact stretching beyond its climate change implications. The role of the Environmental Impacts Analyst is to research, investigate and understand the environmental footprints of existing and proposed fossil fuel projects and their consequences for both local communities and the broader Australian society. The Analyst will monitor the assessment process for planned new projects and scrutinise the regulatory compliance of existing operations.

The Analyst, equipped with this information and insight, in collaboration with other members of the Research Team, will produce high quality and timely research to support Sunrise Project teams and partners as they work to accelerate the global transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. A typical day would see you undertaking a mixture of self-directed specialist research and working in project teams: collaborations with strategists and communications experts.

We support networks of organisations to work together to achieve outcomes that would not be possible by individual organisations acting alone. We expect all roles at Sunrise to actively support the capacity building of these networks and partner organisations.

Key responsibilities

• Track and monitor the assessment and planning process of new fossil fuel projects across Australia;
• Scrutinise, analyse and communicate the environmental, social and cultural impacts of large fossil fuel extraction projects and operations in Australia;
• Investigate the compliance of fossil fuel projects with relevant environmental regulations;
• Conduct research and analysis into the climate significance of Australia’s fossil fuel industry;
• Keep the Sunrise Project abreast of major developments in climate change science;
• In collaboration with other members of the research team to provide high quality, timely research and analytical support to the Sunrise Project and its partners.

Skills and experience

• At least three years experience in a relevant industry or regulatory role (or equivalent);
• A working technical knowledge of the key environmental impacts of resources projects;
• An understanding of the regulation of large-scale mining and petroleum projects within Australia;
• Strong numerical and technical analytical skills (GIS skills an advantage but not essential);
• An environmental science or engineering (or related) academic background an advantage;
• Developed interpersonal, written and visual communications skills (particularly with a non-technical audience);
• Flexible disposition, happy to work outside areas of previous experience and happy to get stuck into laborious tasks when required;
• Commitment to collaboration and relationship building with both internal and external stakeholders;

• A deep passion for and demonstrated commitment to action on climate change.

If you meet some but not all of the criteria for this position, are unsure, but you’re keen on the role - please get in touch. We value and recognise experience that has been unpaid, from the grassroots or is lived experience.

How Sunrise supports its staff:

The Sunrise Project is committed to creating a workplace that supports our staff to do their best work and develop professionally. We have the following in place to help us achieve that:

• Superannuation contribution of 12.5%
• Four weeks annual leave with leave loading of 17.5%
• Birthday leave (if it’s your birthday, you get a day off)
• Cultural leave
• 12 weeks parental leave after 12 months of service
• Commitment to supporting to your professional development
• Access to Employee Assistance Program
• Coaching and management support with regular 1:1 meetings
• Performance reviews and feedback to support you and the team to reflect and grow
• A co-developed initial 3 month work plan to help you hit the ground running and have clarity on your role and responsibilities.
• Flexible work policy

How to apply for this job

To apply for the position, start your application by clicking Apply Now.

In our commitment to inclusive hiring of the best candidates, we use the Be Applied hiring system to process applications. The Applied system reduces the opportunity for unconscious bias in allowing for anonymised reviews of responses to work sample questions. This means we assess candidates on how well they apply themselves and communicate on relevant work tasks. When you click on the link you will be taken to an external site to start your application. You will be required to upload a CV or resume and will be asked several questions that will be related to the role you are applying for. There is no requirement to submit a cover letter.

If you would like to apply using other methods than those above - eg. via a video recording etc - please get in touch with [email protected], using the subject line: Environmental Impacts Analyst - Australia Wide enquiry via EthicalJobs and we can arrange it.