The progressive shift to electric vehicles has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions, unlock billions of dollars of economic gains, and save thousands of lives a year by reducing noxious tailpipe pollution. It is critical Australia accelerates the decarbonisation of vehicles across the transport sector, including cars, buses, trucks, to ensure we meet our emission reduction targets and capture the associated major economic opportunities for our nation. That’s where you come in.

We are seeking a motivated, innovative, high-performing policy officer with attention to detail, diversity of experience and demonstrated ability to manage competing demands, who has a particular interest in leading our policy agenda on electric buses and trucks, as well as supporting our EV policy agenda more broadly, to help create a more sustainable transport system for Australia.

The job description below is a guide to what we’re looking for. If you’re unsure whether you meet the criteria but have the drive to contribute anyway, get in touch and let us know why.

ABOUT US

The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) is the national peak body representing the electric vehicle industry in Australia. Our mission is to accelerate the electrification of transport for a sustainable and prosperous Australia. Our primary role is to develop and advocate for effective EV policy. Our members are companies that build, power, and support electric vehicles and related infrastructure. The Electric Vehicle Council is a national not-for-profit association based in Sydney, with staff also located in Melbourne and Brisbane.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Electric Vehicle Council has a wide remit covering the transport and energy sectors, which is reflective of our broad church of members. While this role will involve supporting the policy team across this broad range of areas, we are seeking to a hire a Senior Policy Officer who will take on primary responsibility for leading our electric heavy vehicle policy workstream. This includes supporting and accelerating the adoption of both electric buses and trucks. The successful applicant will work in the EVC’s policy team under the leadership of the Policy lead and alongside other Policy officers and in collaboration with other EVC units.

Electrification of Australia’s bus and truck fleets presents a major opportunity for reducing emissions and noxious pollution, particularly in built-up urban areas. It is also a segment where there are already a broad range of suitable technology solutions available internationally to electrify fleets.

Unfortunately, Australia is being held back from this transition due to a lack of supportive policy and regulatory reform. The EVC intends to further expand our efforts to advocate for change. You can read one of our recent reports on supporting the adoption of electric trucks here.

The key objectives for this role are:

• Proactively identify and analyse policy options and emerging issues related to the core business and objectives of the Electric Vehicle Council, while monitoring best practices and trends in policy development, implementation and evaluation internationally.
• Undertake and/or lead policy research using a range of research methods, and report findings demonstrating rigorous analysis of relevant political, economic, social, technical, legal and environmental issues and trends, with a particular focus on electric buses and trucks.
• Research, analyse and develop sound policy submissions and advice to government and industry to enable informed decision-making on electric vehicles and related matters
• Draft clear, concise, high-quality documents designed to support clear and consistent communication about policy matters.
• Provide a range of project management and support services, including preparation of discussion papers, briefs and project plans to contribute to the development and delivery of policy initiatives.
• Communicate with key stakeholders and coordinate working groups, and stakeholder consultations to support engagement, as well as policy development and implementation.
• Work in close collaboration with all staff of the Electric Vehicle Council, and our members, to contribute to strategic planning, policy development, and decision-making.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

• A strong interest in the Council’s mission to accelerate the shift to sustainable transport.
• Highly-developed analytic, conceptual and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead on a range of policy development activities, with the capacity to manage timeframes and competing demands and priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage stakeholder relationships in advocacy positions and on complex policy issues
• Demonstrated ability to process and adapt information quickly to ensure clear policy and advice is delivered to government and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including management of stakeholders and resources, as well as reporting and evaluation of policy outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to provide high-level strategic advice to leadership in a timely manner.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Familiarity with media and experience writing for external audiences either through media or broader communications pieces.
• While specific qualifications are not essential, a degree in law, policy, economics, social sciences, engineering or related disciplines is preferred.
• Familiarity with (or ability to develop knowledge of) electric vehicle technology and/or policy, both internationally and in the Australian context.
• Familiarity with the bus and/or truck industry, operations and technology is not mandatory but is considered a bonus.

We welcome a diversity of skill and experiences so please apply even if you feel you don’t possess all these attributes.

WORKING TOGETHER

Salary range:

Senior Policy Officer: $90,000-$100,000 per annum (pro-rata) + superannuation, negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

The EVC provides 6 weeks of annual leave, which includes 2 weeks of paid leave at the end of December and beginning of January. 

The EVC has staff based in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with all staff working from home at least part-time, and offices available for staff to work at in both Sydney and Melbourne.

This role may suit candidates seeking full-time or part-time work. We are happy to provide flexible working arrangements, especially for those with caring responsibilities.

Our preference is for a candidate already based in, or willing to relocate to Sydney or Melbourne.

We believe that the Council will be stronger for having a diversity of backgrounds and experience. We encourage applicants from a diversity of genders, cultures, abilities and experiences to apply.

How to APPLY?

Please respond to this job advertisement with (at minimum):

• A cover letter addressing why you would be a good fit for this role (strictly 1 page maximum)
• CV / resume (strictly 2 pages maximum)
• Two referees (we will only contact these individuals with your permission after the interview rounds are completed).