The Company

Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organisation dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, they create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together.

TNC first commenced operations in Australia in 2002. Since that time TNC Australia has grown significantly and now conducts projects in all mainland Australian states and territories. Their work focuses on three main biogeographical zones – the Outback (including work with many Indigenous Traditional Owner groups supporting their efforts to manage their country for its cultural and conservation values); Oceans (including an extensive shellfish reef building program across the bays and estuaries of southern Australia), and the Southern Murray-Darling Basin (including innovative water funds).

The Role

Due to ongoing growth TNC Australia is now seeking a Policy and Government Relations Director to lead domestic government relations, public policy and government fundraising functions for TNC in Australia. The position will be responsible for managing a centralised engagement strategy for both Federal and State Governments and for developing and maintaining TNC’s relationships with key decision-makers within the Australian Federal Government, to influence and inform policy settings and to mobilise public funding.

Essential Functions

This position serves as the principal contact to government agencies and plays a leading role in managing major public agencies and relationships with elected officials. Working closely with TNC Australia’s market development and conservation teams, the role will also advise on state and territory government relations where required.

The Policy and Government Relations Director plans, coordinates and implements an engagement program focused on ensuring TNC Australia has the necessary relationships with key government decision-makers in place to further the Conservancy’s mission of conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. This position acts as the Relationship Manager for the Australian Government in accordance with TNC’s Standard Operating Procedures for Management of Relationships with Public Sector Entities. Additionally the position ensures that the program complies with lobbying laws and regulations and monitors legislative and administrative initiatives and policies related to the mission or programs of TNC and communicates these effectively to all relevant stakeholders.

This role will focus predominantly on Policy and Government Relations activities which support TNC’s work within Australia. It will also provide coordination and strategic support for engagement with the Australian Government to support TNC’s programs outside of Australia in the Asia-Pacific region as required.

Responsibilities and Scope

• Foster and maintain a strong network of political and public sector contacts with Federal and State governments to support government funding to increase the level of financial support and policy advocacy for the Australia program.
• Develop and lead the implementation of government relations engagement plans including organising meetings, political engagement opportunities and government participation in TNC events.
• Build on TNC Australia’s reputation as a trusted source of advice to Government and policy makers by coordinating and disseminating research and analysis of policy issues undertaken by TNC’s science, conservation and policy teams.
• Lead public fundraising activities to increase the level of financial support for TNC projects and priorities including working alongside conservation staff to prepare concept notes and grant proposals.
• Coordinate and oversee government relations, policy advocacy, and public fundraising functions with the Australian Government on behalf of other TNC business units in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Prepare briefs, presentations and other communications for key Ministers, backbenchers and departments, partners and board directors on policy and political issues relating to TNC’s conservation priorities.
• Follow-up and provide regular updates to the Director of Philanthropy and Engagement, Australia, Conservation Partnerships Director, Asia Pacific and relevant conservation teams within Australia and the Asia-Pacific region on changes to the national and regional context for conservation and TNC operations.
• Manage TNC’s internal systems and processes to ensure that our government engagement activities are well coordinated.
• The role will be responsible for managing a Conservation Policy Specialist.

Other key responsibilities

Oversight Financial and Supervisory:

• Develop multi-year fundraising strategies and goals and implement agile programs to achieve them.
• Manage multi-disciplinary administrative and professional staff, with responsibility for performance management, training, and career development.
• Responsibility and accountability for meeting departmental strategic goals and objectives.
• Develop and administer departmental budget.
• Ensures that TNC Australia complies with TNC’s policies and procedures and external lobbying and legal regulations.

Communications / Interpersonal:

• Prepare and present project proposals and negotiate with federal, state, and local government representatives to achieve program goals.
• Work and communicate with a wide range of people in order to develop, negotiate, and/or implement programs and projects.
• Communicate strategic project goals and objectives as well as facilitate knowledge transfer/communications.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, law, government relations, or related field.
• At least 5 years of experience, including experience working with government policy development and public administration.
• Experience with current political, socio-economic and conservation trends and issues in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
• Knowledge of lobbying laws and regulations.
• Experience preparing and presenting policy and project proposals to and/or negotiating with federal, state, and local government representatives.
• Proven communication and presentation skills.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, communications and influencing skills. Ability to operate in politically sensitive/charged environments and agility to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities.
• Proven negotiation skills.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision and direct staff.
• Ability to coordinate the efforts of multiple parties (both internal and external) and a multitude of stakeholders with often differing opinions.

Desired Qualifications and Experience

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience appreciated.
• Masters degree appreciated.
• Experience presenting to and communicating with management-level individuals within the corporate sector.
• Experience developing, directing and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.
• Excellent team player with experience working in multi-disciplinary groups, using influence and interpersonal skills, listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships with governments, corporations, partners, donors, volunteers, and all levels of staff.

Additional information

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including; subsidised private health insurance, superannuation, an employee savings plan including employer match, accrued paid time off (including annual, long-service and personal leave entitlements), life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life, and work wellness benefits.

Benefits may be subject to generally applicable eligibility, waiting period, contribution, and other requirements and conditions. Learn more about TNC's employee benefits at www.nature.org/careers. TNC is proud to offer a work environment that is supportive of the health wellness, and flexibility needs of the people they employ.

Travel and location

• Readiness and ability to travel nationally, approximately 30% of working time, with occasional international travel (when possible).
• Work location is preferably Canberra, however Sydney and Melbourne may also be considered.

Auto Safety Policy

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of TNC if considered “high-risk drivers.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record.

How to Apply

Apply now by clicking "Apply Now" and submitting your current CV (in Word format), via our online application process.

To obtain a copy of the full information pack please contact Claire via [email protected] using the subject line: Policy and Government Relations Director enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Only applicants who are currently eligible to work in Australia will be considered. The Nature Conservancy will not provide support for working visas or residency for this position.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Its commitment to diversity includes the recognition that its conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organisation that reflects its global character is a priority and they encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colours, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in the job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

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