This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and passionate environmental campaigner and advocate to join a dynamic team with a successful track record in achieving change to address one of the leading threats facing Australia’s wildlife.

• Reports to: Advocacy Director
• Basis: Full time
• Location: Work from home in Canberra, other locations in NSW or Victoria considered.
• Duration: Two-year contract, extension possible
• Salary range: $95,000 – $112,000 per annum plus super, depending on skills and experience.
• Salary packaging, 1 week paid study or field work leave, plus 3 days additional paid leave over Christmas/New Year leave are part of the package.

Job Description

The Advocacy Manager – Southern will lead the development and delivery of high-profile and high impact political advocacy and community outreach activities. The position will be a senior role within the conservation team and has responsibility for developing and delivering campaign strategies that result in long-lasting change in invasive species management across Australia. The successful candidate will also oversee the development of a new community engagement strategy and manage a new community organiser position.

The Advocacy Manager – Southern is a new role and will work with the Advocacy Director to focus on advocacy and community engagement related to the federal, NSW, Victorian and South Australian jurisdictions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead advocacy campaigns that deliver strategic plan and yearly plan outcomes.
• Manage campaign staff and volunteers and assist with the development of other conservation team members.
• Promote the work, positions and strategic directions of the Invasive Species Council.
• Engage with the media and public as a spokesperson for the organisation.
• Engage with decision makers and key people and organisations with aligned objectives.
• Maintain the organisation’s emphasis on credible science-based information.
• Collaborate with colleagues to assist with fundraising efforts.
• Prepare progress and performance reports.
• Proactively contribute to a positive, collaborative and values driven culture with the team and organisation.
• Other duties determined by the Advocacy Director from time to time.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

• Demonstrated track-record in achieving results in environmental advocacy and campaigning.
• Experience building coalitions across diverse sectors and interest groups to advance shared objectives.
• Extensive experience in communicating with law and policy-makers, scientists, journalists and the public about complex environmental issues.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff and practice collaborative leadership.
• Demonstrated project development and campaign planning skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a geographically dispersed team to develop and deliver shared projects.
• Willingness to travel interstate, often for several days at a time.
• Current driver’s license.

Desirable:

• Fundraising experience.
• Detailed understanding of invasive species issues and related state and federal laws.
• Extensive networks in the political, agricultural, environmental and/or natural resource management sectors, particularly in the federal, NSW, Victorian and South Australian jurisdictions.
• Experience with the media and public as a spokesperson.
• Experience working with an environmental advocacy organisation, a political office and/or with First Nations people and organisations.

Location

Remote - Work from home in Canberra, with other locations in NSW or Victoria considered, particularly Sydney, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains.

Further information

Contact Conservation Director Jack Gough on [email protected]‬ using the subject line: Advocacy Manager - Southern enquiry via EthicalJobs for specific questions about the role.‬‬

About the CONSERVATION TEAM

The Invasive Species Council conservation team aims to tackle some of our most challenging invasive species threats and drives systemic reform to Australia’s biosecurity system and environmental laws.

The values of the conservation team:

• We are relentless in pursuing outcomes and having impact.
• We are not scared to fail and learn from the experience.
• We own and drive the work that we do.
• We are creative and open minded.
• We connect to and are motivated by our passion for nature.

About the Invasive Species Council

You will be joining a dynamic team that advocates for nature, is committed to science, is fearless and persistent and is collaborative with first Australians.

The Invasive Species Council is a non-government donor-funded organisation formed in 2002 that seeks better laws and policies to protect the Australian environment from invasive plants, animals and diseases.

Invasive species have been the main driver of environmental loss of Australia’s native animals since colonisation and remain one of the main threats to the future survival of all our unique wildlife on land and sea. Unless we take action, work with others and speak out, Australia’s biodiversity crisis will only worsen.

The Invasive Species Council has made numerous interventions to reduce the environmental impacts from invasive species. Over recent years we:

• played a major role in the establishment of the national Office of Environmental Biosecurity.
• raised the alarm about the imminent threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
• secured over $1 billion for the national red fire ant eradication program.
• secured $25 million to eradicate yellow crazy ants from Cairns and Townsville.
• led efforts to recognise the national threat from expanding feral deer populations.
• jointly conducted ground-breaking research to identify harmful invasive insects that could establish in Australia.
• co-hosted the Australian Biosecurity Symposium since 2019.
• led the establishment of the Decade of Biosecurity initiative.
• drove the Reclaim Kosci campaign that has seen reductions in feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park.

We work remotely from homes in many parts of Australia. Support for your professional development will be a priority.

Our 2022-2030 Strategic Plan can be found here: ​​www.invasives.org.au/about-us/strategic-plan/.

More details about all our campaigns can be found on our website: https://invasives.org.au/.

ISC is an equal opportunity employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

A position description is attached.