Be a Force for Good at the Jane Goodall Institute Australia (JGIA)

• Location: Taronga Zoo, Sydney (Mosman, NSW)
  
• Type: Permanent Part-Time (4 days/week, 0.8 FTE)
  
• Salary: SCHADS Level 6 PP1 – $88,304 + super for a four day week
  
• Reports to: CEO
  
• Direct Reports: Africa Programs Manager, Volunteers

Are you a purpose-driven professional with a passion for environmental education, wildlife protection, youth engagement, and operational excellence? The Jane Goodall Institute Australia is searching for a dynamic Programs & Operations Manager to lead our national youth programs and ensure our organisation thrives behind the scenes.

You’ll play a key role in growing Roots & Shoots, Dr Jane Goodall’s global youth movement, and scaling JGIA’s impact across Australia. Based at the iconic Taronga Zoo, you’ll work closely with a passionate team and an inspiring national volunteer network—all united by a shared mission: to build a better world for people, animals, and the environment.

JGIA is entering an exciting new chapter of growth, as we bring our founder’s message of Hope to more people, to make a bigger difference, at this critical time. We are looking for a Programs & Operations Manager who can help us turn our big dreams into reality.

Building on the legacy of our founder, the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall - scientist, conservationist, peacemaker, mentor - we inspire hope through action to benefit animals, people and our shared environment. Our work centres on two areas: community conservation in Africa, working with local partners to protect chimpanzees and their forest homes; and empowering the next generation of environmentalists here in Australia, through our youth-driven initiative Roots & Shoots.

While geographically apart, our programs share the same heart: nurturing grassroots and people-driven nature-based solutions for our beautiful planet - acting locally, while thinking globally, to build Hope.

As Dr. Goodall says: “Cumulatively small decisions, choices, actions, make a very big difference.”

Your Impact

As the Programs & Operations Manager, you'll:

• Lead and grow our flagship Roots & Shoots program, inspiring and supporting young changemakers across Australia.
• Scale our ReWild Your School program, helping bring environmental education to primary students nationwide.
• Manage and grow a national volunteer network, ensuring volunteers are supported, engaged and contributing to program goals.Oversee Australian program strategy, delivery, and development—ensuring every initiative aligns with our mission and values.
• Support our Africa Programs Manager and strengthen global collaboration.
• Drive operational excellence across systems, IT administration, CRM tools (e.g., Nationbuilder), HR, compliance, and organisational policies.
• Foster a high-performing, values-aligned culture among staff and volunteers.
• Collaborate with partners, schools, NGOs, and communities to scale our reach and influence.

About You

We’re looking for someone with:

• Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience developing, delivering, and scaling youth or community programs.
• A deep understanding of environmental issues, sustainability, and education.
• A knack for creating engaging resources, workshops and events that bring programs to life.
• Strong systems and operations expertise across HR, compliance, IT, and CRM tools.
• Experience working across diverse teams—including volunteers and young people.
• A current driver’s licence and working with children check (or willingness to obtain).

Personal Attributes:

• High energy, positive "can-do" attitude.
• Strong interpersonal skills; able to build rapport quickly.
• Flexible and adaptable; comfortable wearing multiple hats.
• Strategic thinker who can also handle routine tasks and detail-oriented processes.

Bonus points for a background in environmental education, curriculum knowledge, or experience in the not-for-profit sector.

Don’t meet every single requirement?

We encourage you to apply anyway. We’re committed to finding the right person, and your passion, values, and willingness to learn may be just as important as direct experience.

Why Join Us?

At JGIA, you’ll join a small but mighty team that’s growing fast and making a global impact. We offer:

• A flexible, values-led working culture
• A meaningful role where your work truly matters
• Opportunities to grow professionally and personally
• A chance to be part of Jane Goodall’s legacy and global conservation network

How to Apply

If the above resonates with you and you feel you can positively contribute to this close-knit team, we’d love to hear from you. Additional information can be found in the Position Description attached to the bottom of this ad.

Submit your application including a brief cover letter outlining your motivation and fit for the role to the link below:

Submit your application via the "Apply Now" button.

For more information, visit https://janegoodall.org.au

JGIA is an equal opportunities employer, and is always actively looking for applicants from a diverse range of genders, cultures, language groups, abilities, and experiences to apply. To be eligible to apply for this position you must have an appropriate Australian or New Zealand work visa or be eligible to apply for one.

JGIA believes that it is our duty to ensure that we do everything we can to keep children safe. We have a responsibility to those children that we come into contact with, and as an organisation, we are committed to ensuring the safety of children by not harming them or placing children at risk.As part of the screening process, candidates will be required to complete a National Police Check and a Working with Children Check.

A position description is attached.