Are you a passionate environmental researcher with a love for the Blue Mountains? We are looking for an ambitious Research Program Manager to lead and grow our research program. The position is a O.5 FTE freelance contract till the 30th June 2024 and the possibility of extension funding dependent. In this leadership role you will have the opportunity to bring a strong research agenda to life and drive real impact protecting the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

About the Institute

In 2000, over one million hectares of the Greater Blue Mountains was declared a World Heritage Area in recognition of its outstanding natural values.

In 2004, the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute was established to meet the need for an independent centre dedicated to the protection of this area through research, education, innovation and advocacy.

Today, the Institute leads change and catalyses action at the forefront of environmental conservation and protected area management.

We are an established social, environmental and scientific enterprise built upon a strong foundation of research, education and community engagement, with a successful history of delivering a wide range of projects and events.

About the Position

This position will play a crucial role in supporting the Institute’s commitment towards conservation, ensuring the ongoing protection of the Blue Mountains World Heritage area and using the local knowledge we gain to contribute to national and international conservation efforts. It is well suited to a highly motivated individual with relevant research experience, the successful applicant will lead the delivery of the Institute’s Research portfolio including attracting research revenue to realise the Institute's research agenda.

This role connects the successful applicant with world-leading conservationists and scientists, offers a platform for the co-design and implementation of mission-led, impact-focussed research and the opportunity to lead a team of citizen scientists.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone interested in working with a broad, diverse research network that takes an interdisciplinary approach to environmental issues through research projects that address ecological, socio-cultural and economic dimensions.

The successful applicant will have a PhD, Masters degree or equivalent experience, and preferably a background in environmental research or natural resource management, plus a proven record of research collaboration and capabilities in securing grant funding.

We’d love to hear from you if you are an ambitious researcher looking to work in a new purpose-led and dynamic environment, committed to growing the Institute, with exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to clearly communicate across multiple audiences.

This position reports to and works closely with the Chief Executive Officer.

You will be required to:

Project manage current research projects and respond to their development needs

• Oversee current projects, including project staff, interns and volunteers, to ensure milestones, quality control and outcome reporting requirements are met.
• Consult with stakeholders from relevant partner agencies, community members and researchers to maintain and enhance existing and new projects.
• Facilitate policy conversations through forums, roundtables and reports to Government policy makers.
• Secure publishing opportunities for Institute Research
• In collaboration with the Communications Officer produce reports and other content for public engagement.
• Engage with state, national and international grant schemes and other opportunities (e.g. philanthropy) to support for Institute programs and projects.
• Secure and maintain scientific permits and licensing

Develop and implement new projects

• Support the CEO and the Research to Impact sub-committee of the Board in the producing of targeted, interdisciplinary research that builds understanding and appreciation of the region's natural and cultural values
• Lead the Institutes research involvement in a key agency collaboration
• Design new and innovative research projects from the research agenda that are scientifically rigorous.
• Secure funding for the implementation of research projects in collaboration with the Institute team.
• Develop and manage teams and projects as funding is secured
• Create opportunities for our research to inform national and international conservation policy discussions.
• Ensure effective monitoring evaluation and reporting frameworks are implemented for all research projects.
• The person for this role needs to be a good project manager that is capable of designing and implementing new and innovative research projects that are scientifically rigorous.

Sponsorships, partnerships and relationships

• Initiate, broker and sustain project partnerships, in collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer and in accordance with the Institute Strategic Plan.
• Identify and approach new funding partners.
• Maintain communication with project partners and researchers to ensure common objectives are met, interests align, and ongoing delivery of products and outcomes.

Internal (organisational)

• Prepare reports for presentation and discussion at quarterly meetings
• Maintain an up-to-date and comprehensive database of projects and activities.

Selection Criteria:

We are looking for someone with the following strengths:

1. A Thought Leader: We are looking for someone who has experience delivering impact-led research at the cutting edge of their field with either a Master Degree, Phd equivalent.
2. Agility: As our business continues to grow, we are looking for someone who is ambitious, willing to be flexible and committed to building our future with us.
3. A Partnership Builder: We are looking for someone who can identify, pursue and secure funding and projects through successful collaborations with academia, government, industry, corporate and philanthropic organisations
4. An entrepreneurial spirit: Our ideal candidate will have a hunger to make things happen coupled with proven ability to innovate and champion the exploration of new ideas and methodologies.
5. A Team player: We are looking for someone who has an ability to lead diverse teams, who can provide strategic and operational advice at all levels and develop collaborative, supportive professional relationships.
6. Strong organisational skills: Our ideal candidate will be highly organised with strong project management skills, a high attention to detail, able to plan, prioritise, execute and deliver research projects on time.
7. An exceptional communicator: with strong interpersonal skills, capable of articulating complex concepts, and capacity to negotiate, influence and build consensus at levels and with diverse stakeholders on complex issues.
8. Highly developed written and presentation skills: including the ability to produce clear, well-defined and compelling reports and documents for a range of audiences

To submit your application, click Apply Now.

For further information contact Jane Powles via [email protected], using the subject line: Research Program Manager - Flexible Location enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.