• Job type: Part-time 22.5 - 30hrs/week negotiable
• Location: Alice Springs
• Salary: SCHADS Award Level 4.1-5.3 depending on skills and experience ($37.54 - $44.89 plus superannuation and leave loading)

About the organisation

The Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC) is Central Australia’s peak environmental organisation, defending Australia’s iconic desert country for over 40 years.

ALEC inspires, engages and leads local people to take action for the environment.

ALEC advocates for nature and strong environmental laws. We empower people by sharing knowledge on how to live sustainably in the desert and we work in dynamic partnerships across vast landscapes to build thriving, resilient desert communities.

ALEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands we work on and their vital role in caring for country for many thousands of years, now, and into the future. We acknowledge First Nations Elders past, present and emerging and recognise that their sovereignty was never ceded.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is an opportunity to lead the advocacy and campaigns team at Central Australia’s peak environmental organisation. Reporting to the General Manager, this role leads the strategic prioritisation and implementation of ALEC campaigns, including acting as a key public spokesperson. Responsible for leading and managing a small team of staff and volunteers, this position manages complex programs by balancing effective delegation, collaboration and keen ability to take on tasks working as a member of a team.

Main Duties/Responsibilities

Strategic Campaign Leadership

• Identify threats and opportunities to achieve ALEC strategic goals.
• Lead the development, implementation and review of ALEC campaigns.
• Articulate the strategy and tactical plans of ALEC campaigns to key stakeholders including board, funders, staff, volunteers and allies.
• Preparation of compelling and targeted written plans, proposals, presentations and one-to-one consultations.
• Activate rapid response advocacy on time-sensitive, strategically aligned issues.
• Collaborate with allies on priority campaigns and respond to policy developments.
• Engage strategically in consultation and reform processes.

Communication Leadership

• Oversee the production of effective campaign communications for all stakeholders.
• Draft media releases and maintain media contacts.
• Act as a key media spokesperson for ALEC campaigns.

Volunteer Organising

• Work with ALEC organisers to foster collaboration between ALEC member groups, and facilitate and strengthen their issue advocacy.
• Responsible for Volunteer procedures and systems to ensure compliance with WHS and other legislative requirements.

Budgeting and Fundraising Support

• Working closely with the Business Operations Manager to effectively manage the team budget and specific campaign budgets
• Working with the General Manager to identify and realise fundraising opportunities.

Organisational Systems & Compliance

• Contribute to maintaining ALEC compliance and risk management systems.
• Monitor, evaluate and report on ALEC campaigns.
• Develop and implement effective systems and processes to improve the quality and consistency of ALEC campaigns and advocacy.

Team Leadership

• Ensure inclusive, supportive and rewarding working environment for team members from all cultural backgrounds, genders and abilities.
• Recruit and supervise staff, volunteers and consultancies as required.
• Oversee and manage the team to ensure strategies and tactics are being deployed to best fulfil ALEC goals.
• Providing mentoring where required and foster ongoing employee development including succession planning.
• Role model healthy, positive and balanced working habits and practises.

Key Selection Criteria

If you only meet some of these requirements, but you think you’ve got a valuable set of skills that would benefit the organisation, fit the role and are ready to learn and grow, we’re keen to hear from you. The role can be developed to meet the skills and experience of the right candidate.

Required

1. Proven track record designing, executing and evaluating campaigns that build grassroots leadership, shift public narrative and pressure policymakers to deliver outcomes utilising both traditional and digital tools and tactics.
2. Relevant qualifications training and/or extensive professional experience in social science, environmental sciences, campaigning/community organising, not-for-profit or environmental protection roles.
3. A sound understanding of community organising principles and experience building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships and collaborative partnerships with people from a diversity of backgrounds, interests and worldviews.
4. Demonstrated experience in policy development, implementation, or interpretation for advocacy and political engagement.
5. Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills and ability to develop and implement effective communications strategies for fundraising, advocacy and campaigns.
6. Demonstrated experience successfully building and leading small teams of employees and/or volunteers.
7. Strategic planning and project management experience.
8. Thrives in rapid response environments with the ability to work independently with strategic focus on agreed priorities and to self manage workload.

Desirable

1. Existing working relationships with a variety of stakeholders in Territory and/or Federally, including Traditional Owners, community groups, MPs, staff, media.
2. Issue knowledge such as ecology, natural resource management or climate and energy.
3. Experience working with media including developing or pitching stories, providing background to journalists or being a media spokesperson.

Applicants must have a legal right to work in Australia.

We will review applications and interview suitable candidates throughout the advertising period, so we encourage you to apply early.