ORGANISATION PROFILE

The EEC is the peak body for Australia’s energy management sector. A not-for-profit membership association, EEC works to:

• Drive world-leading policy on efficiency, electrification and demand flexibility;
• Ensure we have the skilled workforce to deliver Australia’s energy transition; and
• Support businesses and households to rapidly decarbonise.

Three key areas are critical to the transformation of Australia’s economy, and they underpin how we can drive change:

1. Policy and advocacy:

Governments need to set ambitious policy to enable the energy transition. We work closely with government and our partners to undertake research and advocate for solutions that put energy efficiency and electrification at the heart of Australia’s net zero transformation.

2. Workforce development:

Professionals and tradespeople need training and skills to roll out energy upgrades across Australia. We champion jobs and skills through EEC Professional Certifications and other EEC programs, uniting government and industry to build the capacity and capability of Australia’s energy management professionals.

3. Business decarbonisation:

Businesses need support to translate net zero ambition into action. We work with our partners to provide strategic insights and best practice frameworks that allow businesses to credibly realise net zero.

JOB PURPOSE

The EEC is seeking a Senior Advisor to join the EEC’s Policy and Research Team. The Policy and Research Team works with governments at the state and federal level, key industry and professional associations, non-governmental organisations, and our industry members to advocate for effective policies for energy efficiency, electrification and flexible demand. The team also undertakes bespoke research to support the development of effective policy and programs for improving Australia’s energy performance and achieving our net zero targets.

The role of the Senior Advisor, Policy and Research is to help drive the EEC’s policy and advocacy agenda through:

• Crafting policy positions, consulting with members, and writing submissions on key energy and climate policies, such as federal decarbonisation plans, and state energy efficiency schemes;
• Research and strategic analysis of novel policy ideas to advance energy performance;
• Advocacy and stakeholder engagement; and
• Support for the EEC's broader projects and programs, and events.

The Senior Advisor, Policy and Research will be highly motivated, with a track record of demonstrating initiative, acting autonomously, and having a keen attention to detail. The Senior Advisor, Policy and Research will have excellent interpersonal, analytical, and oral and written communication skills, and a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in policy and advocacy, ideally in the energy, emissions reduction, sustainability or an equivalent industry. Additional experience will be considered favourably.

KEY DUTIES

This role requires significant engagement with the EEC’s members, formal and informal partners, and working in conjunction with them to deliver policy and advocacy, research and analysis and other strategic wok on policy priorities.

Key duties include:

• Policy development, consultation and writing submissions on key demand-side policies for improving energy performance, including:
• Working with the Head of Policy and CEO to develop EEC positions on a range of policies that affect energy efficiency, electrification and flexible demand by:
  • Researching policy and technical issues, including through engagement with members, partners and other experts;
  • Engaging with EEC members, including through task groups and consultation workshops; and
  • Monitoring media, government policy and developments in the energy policy space; and
  • Drafting policy papers, submissions and media releases that provide detailed and timely advice on policy issues.

• Research and strategic work on policy priorities, including:

  • Working with the Head of Policy to undertake data gathering, analysis and report writing, considering both primary and secondary research, i.e. stakeholder consultation and desktop literature reviews.

• Advocacy and stakeholder engagement, including;

  • Developing strategies to support policy priorities, considering the use of submissions, media and engaging with key stakeholders;
  • Representing the Council in meetings with government officials and other key stakeholders;
  • Working with the CEO and Head of Policy to promote key concepts through media channels; and
  • Managing complex relations with diverse stakeholders, including members, governments, industry associations and other non-profit organisations.

• Support across the EEC's broader projects, programs, and events including:

  • Assisting with shaping the EEC's strategy and focus areas by staying informed of member and stakeholder priorities and concerns, and briefing executive staff; and
  • Supporting EEC staff on discrete activities with a policy component, i.e. content for the EEC National Conference or copy for newsletters.

The EEC is a small and flexible organisation. The successful candidate will be required to work on a range of cross-organisational projects, on an ad hoc basis, in collaboration with colleagues and external stakeholders to meet the EEC’s overall goals.

KEY EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

Exact employment conditions will be negotiated based on the qualifications and experience of the candidate.

• 0.8 - 1.0FTE (30.4 – 38 hours per week);
• $130,000 – 140,000 per annum including superannuation at 1.0FTE, pro-rated for FTE;
• Some out-of-hours work and interstate travel required;
• Preference for a Melbourne, Sydney or Canberra-based candidate, however applications from candidates based on other locations will be considered; and
• Flexible work arrangements, with staff undertaking a mix of in-office and remote working.

Key selection criteria

The EEC supports a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment. Applicants are encouraged to apply for this position if they meet some, but not all, of the preferred key selection criteria.

Preferred skills and experience:

• Excellent analytical and strategic thinking, with the ability to quickly analyse large amounts of information to produce succinct briefs, research reports and other written materials that are appropriate for the target audience;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with sound copywriting and editing skills, and the capacity to effectively present in public;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders from all segments of the Australian energy and climate policy community, glean relevant information and build coalitions to advance EEC advocacy positions;
• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in policy and advocacy, and at least five (5) years’ post-tertiary work experience. Additional experience in energy and/or environmental policy will be considered favourably.

Preferred education:

• Completed a tertiary qualification in public policy, economics, energy, environmental studies engineering, science, or equivalent studies. Qualifications in other fields will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Desirable skills and experience:

• Professional experience in an industry, consumer or environmental non-profit organisation;
• Professional experience in local, state or federal government;
• Project management skills, including supporting the successful delivery of projects and/or campaigns;
• Quantitative analytical skills, to understand, analyse and produce data that supports evidence-based policy positions;
• Completed a post-graduate qualification in a relevant field, or demonstrated equivalent professional experience; and
• Extra-curricular, volunteer or other experience that demonstrates the candidate’s initiative by foreseeing problems and finding solutions.

Personal attributes:

• Organised, self-motivated and results driven, with integrity;
• Adaptable and flexible in outlook;
• Well-presented and able to liaise with senior executives and external stakeholders;
• Ability to maintain a high level of attention to detail while multi-tasking; and
• Ability to work on own initiative, and to manage workload independently.

A position description is attached.

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.