ABOUT THE GREAT BARRIER REEF FOUNDATION (GBRF):

The Great Barrier Reef is a global icon and an irreplaceable ecosystem. It holds significant cultural, environmental, and economic value to Australia and is home to thousands of species of marine life. Our Reef is facing increasing pressure from multiple threats, the most pressing being climate change. Without intervention, including a rapid upscaling of restoration and conservation actions, we are projected to lose 90% of coral reefs by 2050.

For over 20 years the Great Barrier Reef Foundation (GBRF) has served as the lead charity for the Reef, forging partnerships and investment across business, philanthropy, science, conservation, community, First Nations and government to design and deliver solutions that deliver a better future for coral reefs. Right now, the GBRF manages a portfolio (valued at $800m) of over 400 projects involving more than 500 delivery partners.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Outbreaks of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) are a major cause of coral decline on the Great Barrier Reef and there is an operational COTS Control Program that is tasked with protecting coral from these pests. This operational program is underpinned by the best-available science through the COTS Control Innovation Program (CCIP). The CCIP is a collaborative research partnership between the GBRF, AIMS, CSIRO, James Cook University and the University of Queensland. As part of this innovation program, multidisciplinary research teams have worked together over three years to deliver a portfolio of 24 projects that are finishing in June 2024. The innovation program is now entering a transition year that will focus on (1) synthesising the outputs of the research, (2) translating and applying them in COTS Control Program operations, and (3) designing a new five-year innovation program.

The Project Manager will work closely with the CCIP Program Director to support the delivery of CCIP transition year activities. This includes responsibility for delivering core project management functions related to administration and contracting, budget management, and reporting to funders and partners. The role will have a strong focus on supporting the design and delivery of a suite of new projects that translate and apply CCIP research to achieve real-world benefits for the health of the Great Barrier Reef. The role is suited to a highly organised person who thrives when working collaboratively across sectors and stakeholders and is experience in complex project/program delivery and administration.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Strong track record in complex project management in the conservation field, including excellent organisational skills, strong time management, contract and budget management.
• Experience designing, measuring, evaluating, and reporting on the impact of projects and programs and drawing on the lessons learned.
• A track record in building and maintaining effective partnerships, including effectively engaging with diverse partners (research, government, industry, Traditional Owners) to support information exchange and progress the collaborative design and delivery of projects.
• Demonstrated high level written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to synthesise technical information and communicate clearly with experts and non-experts to convey science and conservation concepts and outcomes.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and complex environment with rapidly changing responsibilities.
• A degree in marine or environmental science will be well regarded.

JOB LOCATION

Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, or other for the right candidate

OTHER

• We are flexible in offering this role as a minimum of 0.6FTE up to 1FTE
• Fixed-term until 30 June 2025
• Flexible work arrangements are available
• First Nations people strongly encouraged to apply
• Applications will be assessed as we receive them

A position description is attached.