ABOUT Hunter community aLLIANCE

We are the Hunter Community Alliance. We’re working together to make change on the issues that matter, everything from a fair transition in the Hunter, to affordable housing to getting the bins emptied.

We bring together everyday people and local organisations to build a better, fairer society. Too often communities are left out of decisions that affect their lives, but we know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We develop local leaders who find solutions to problems big and small and hold powerholders to account.

We work with 40+ civil society organisations, who we call our members – local associations, environment, disability and Indigenous organisations, faith groups, charities, unions and more - to help them win change. As part of the NSW Community Alliance, we together have worked with 66+ member organisations, trained 5,000+ community leaders and won changes across NSW.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The organiser is an engine, strategist, coach, relationship builder, team builder, trainer, culture-keeper and agitator. The role exists to support, train and recruit leaders to organise for the common good and win, builds and supports each member organisation, build and grow the Alliance through recruitment of organisations and money, listen, discern, plan and negotiate and win concrete issues and shift the landscape of power in the Hunter.

ABOUT YOU

KEY ATTRIBUTES - ABOUT YOU

Relationship building:

You are a ‘people person’ with experience building and managing multiple relationships with a lot of people. You can coach and support volunteers and assistant organisers to do hard things because they know you genuinely care about them and will help them succeed. You like listening to people’s stories and can share your own powerfully and persuasively.

Resilience:

Organising to create systemic change for the common good is often challenging. Working with organisations and communities who are unfamiliar with this community organising approach and who have been systematically disempowered by the Australian political and energy system means there will be barriers and setbacks. You find proactive ways to work around obstacles, challenges, hurdles, and setbacks. You can take critique in the spirit that it is given.

Persuasiveness:

You have the confidence to ‘make the ask’ of community leaders for their support and time and encouraging them to reach beyond their comfort zone.

Outstanding team player:

You have had experience working in small teams where your work is closely connected to others' work. Organisers receive a high level of trust that they can deliver their role without hand-holding while still working collaboratively with leaders and staff. You love working with others, in fact you thrive on it, including using online collaboration tools to communicate throughout the day. We are all about partnering with each other to get the work done. Shared mindsets and common objectives are critical to our success. You can take critique and give it effectively.

Organised and efficient:

You are a no-stuffing-around, get-things-done kind of person. When you say you will do something by a certain date, you get it done - even if it means overcoming obstacles. You have had experience in a role where there are lots of moving parts to keep track of, like organising stalls or events with volunteers and you successfully balance multiple tasks at a time. You can break down objectives into smaller tasks, initiatives, and actions to get things done.

Please read the full Position Description before applying.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

What you bring to the role

Essential:

• Demonstrated familiarity with or experience with the relational community organising approach
• Demonstrated experience in a range of member-based institutions and organisations (both paid and unpaid)
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of Australian political processes
  
• Demonstrated experience recruiting, leading and managing teams of volunteers
  
• Ability to work remotely and manage online systems we use; Microsoft office, google suite, zoom
• Ability to travel and work remotely throughout the Hunter region.
• High level of proficiency in verbal and written communication
• Passion & objectivity toward social justice issues

Desirable:

• Experience in political environments both internal (organisational, movements) and external (political parties, government, public issues).

Let us know

• The Hunter Community Alliance is the sister organisation of the Sydney Alliance and interested in supporting growth in other parts of NSW. This role is based in the Hunter but talk to us if you’ve got a vision for organising in other parts of the state.

Starting period

The HCA is seeking someone to start in May 2024, but alternative arrangements can be made for the right candidate. Let us know what you are thinking.

The period May-June will be running alongside current Hunter Community Alliance Organiser David Barrow.

From July onwards the organiser will be working with the support of the Acting NSW Executive Officer Kristyn Crossfield. The first 12 months likely include organising around renewable energy as part of the Renew Australia for All national organising drive, negotiating and finalising a durable agreement and excellent team for the Hamilton South Renewal project, discerning engagement in the local council elections, training leaders, participating in National Training, and preparing for the HCA’s major assembly in 2025 following its Founding in April of this year. All of these activities take place through a campaign of regular one to one and small group meetings.

MORE ABOUT THE POSITION

Reports to: Executive Officer NSW Community Alliance (governance), Hunter Community Alliance Steering Committee (project planning)

Duration: Permanent

Location: Hunter Valley / Greater Newcastle

Conditions, salary, and leave

Salary Package annual $95,000 + Superannuation (currently 11%) and phone usage allowance.

The position is under the SCHCADS SAC Award level 5.1 @ $47.50 per hour at 35 hours a week, plus the superannuation guarantee payment of 11% in accordance with legislative directives.

You are entitled to 4 weeks Annual Leave and 17.5% leave loading, 10 days Personal Leave and 3 days paid Cultural Leave.

The NSW Community Alliance oversees the HR, IR, legal, financial, governance and internal policies of the Sydney Alliance, Hunter Community Alliance and new growth projects. A three-month try-out period is conventional for new organisers with the NSW Community Alliance.

You will be reimbursed $80 per month for phone use for your personal mobile for each month of your employment.

A position description is attached.