The Organisation

Energy Consumers Australia is offering an opportunity for a dynamic, personable policy professional with a background in energy, economics, human sciences, law, engineering or another relevant area to join our team.

Energy Consumers Australia is a national voice for the needs and concerns of households and small business energy consumers. We are a small but influential not-for-profit. We have an accountability to energy consumers and Federal/ State Governments based on our funding. We advocate for change to help consumers, founded on solid evidence and working effectively with a range of partners to influence decision-makers in the energy sector.

This is an exciting time to be in the energy market with a major shift underway.

You will be joining an exciting and dynamic organisation that has unique access to all players in the energy markets including federal and state ministers, energy regulators as well as other organisations advocating on behalf of consumers of energy.

The Role

We are looking for two Senior Policy Associates to join our team.

These roles support the policy work we do on behalf of energy consumers, developing and delivering policy projects that provide tangible benefits to households and small business, and advocating for consumers’ interests in policy and regulatory decisions. You will work closely with other colleagues and external stakeholders across a range of areas in line with Energy Consumers Australia’s strategic priorities.

Your day to day job will include managing and coordinating complex projects, providing strategic policy advice, monitoring ECA’s operating environment and undertaking research on policy issues that impact consumers. You will work with key external stakeholders to promote ECA’s position on complex and sensitive issues. You are able to demonstrate good judgement and strong analytical and research skills. You will be results-focused, using your experience and expertise to deliver high quality projects.

Key Selection Criteria

• Strong analytical and research skills with an ability to collect and analyse information, problem-solve and make recommendations. You will exercise sound decision making and judgement to produce high level policy advice.
• Proven stakeholder engagement skills that build and manage strong relationships to support ECA’s advocacy agenda, and ensure we speak with an influential voice to decision-makers.
• Project management skills and able to meet deadlines: An ability to meet tight deadlines and prioritise tasks, as well as achieving project milestones to the required standards and within budget.
• Highly advanced written and oral communications capabilities to communicate clearly and persuasively, tailoring communications to the audience. You should have highly developed writing skills and an ability to write in plain language.
• Driven and autonomous: You are organised and have experience in working autonomously on a range of tasks and projects. You’re an all-rounder who takes the initiative and does whatever it takes to get the job done. You also know when to seek guidance when needed.
• Completed a relevant undergraduate or post graduate degree in Economics, Engineering, Science, Human Sciences, Law or another relevant degree and have 5+ years’ experience.
• You should be passionate about the evolution of the energy industry and/or public policy and are intellectually curious. Note that previous energy industry experience is preferred but not essential.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Policy advice and problem solving - providing high level policy advice and solutions to our policy directors and external stakeholders on often complex and complicated policy issues impacting consumers.
• Analysing and reviewing research, report, policies and regulatory frameworks and their impact on energy industries and consumers. This includes:
  • Identify issues that affect consumers, undertaking structural analysis of energy system trends and outcomes.
  • Review complex policy issues by sourcing, analysing and evaluating quantitative and qualitative information.
• Key stakeholder relationship management and maintenance including communication, presenting or representing our organisation at industry forums, negotiation, identifying opportunities, facilitating cooperation, issues management and ensuring projects with stakeholders are delivered on time and within budget.
• Preparing written materials, including briefing papers, submissions and correspondence for internal (staff, managers, CEO and Board) and external stakeholders.
• Managing and evaluating projects as well as managing risk.
• Supporting policy teams to deliver Energy Consumers Australia’s advocacy agenda and may include varied tasks including presentations for policy makers and other stakeholders.
• Representing Energy Consumer Australia’s position on complex and sensitive issues.
• Make a significant contribution to innovation and business improvement.

Remuneration and Benefits

The role is offered on the following terms:

• Permanent full time position (1.0 FTE)
• Sydney location preferable but will consider if based in Melbourne or Canberra
• Annual salary equivalent to $100,000- $130,000 (contingent on experience), exclusive of superannuation.

Additional Benefits include:

• Modern Sydney or Melbourne based offices located in: Sydney CBD opposite Town Hall or Melbourne CBD near Melbourne Central Station.
• Flexible working arrangements (3 days in the office and 2 days working from home)
• Excellent learning and development opportunities including access to world class experts in energy.
• A strong work culture which is results and impact orientated but supportive and nimble.
• Additional five ECA leave days on top of four weeks annual leave.

Energy Consumers Australia promotes diversity - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have the right to live and work in Australia to be considered for this job.

As part of Energy Consumer Australia’s recruitment process, a criminal background check will be conducted.

We request no agency contact please.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit:

1. Your resume
2. Cover letter

For any further information or questions, please contact us via [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Policy Associate enquiry via EthicalJobs.

We recommend applying ASAP as we will be reviewing applications as we receive.

For more information on why you should work for us please click here.