This position is designated as an Indigenous Identified Position. The filling of this position is intended to constitute a special measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and s 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) and s 8(4) of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic).

First Nations Clean Energy Network

The First Nations Clean Energy Network was launched in November 2021 and operates under an auspice arrangement with Original Power.

The Network is made up of First Nations people, groups, community organisations, land councils, unions, academics, industry groups, technical advisors, legal experts, renewables companies and others - working in partnership to ensure that First Nations communities share in the benefits of Australia’s clean energy transition.

The Network is led by a Steering Group of First Nations leaders and our approach is build on three pillars:

• Community
• Industry Partnerships
• Policy Reform

As a national, First Nations-led coalition, the Network aims to enable and empower First Nations to participate in, benefit from, respond to, and shape renewable energy projects that impact land, waters and Sea Country.

The Position

The Policy Lead will work closely with the Director Policy and Engagement to undertake the policy development and engagement work of the First Nations Clean Energy Network and to lead the delivery of specific policy and research projects.

The role will produce content for advocacy and communication purposes, including by drafting messages, materials, correspondence, reports, briefing papers and presentations. The Policy Lead will coordinate the Network’s policy working group and research working group to deliver on and produce agreed priority work (research papers and reports). Growing and maintaining stakeholder relationships will be key, as will strong project management to ensure that projects are delivered on time and maximise impact for the Network’s First Nations members.

This is a new position with the Network that aims to assist the Network increase its impact given significant growth over the last 12 months. The position will integrate the tasks of community organising, narrative shifting and influencing policy-makers. Reporting to the Director Policy and Engagement, you will work closely with all members of the team as well as liaising with other key individuals and groups outside of the organisation, in your pursuit to shape innovative policy and design and deliver on project on a range of challenging issues.

Key responsibilities of the Policy Lead include:

• Providing policy advice on activities and projects related to clean energy, including the implementation of national regional and remote demonstration projects
• Assisting with the coordination of the First Nations Clean Energy Network policy working group and research working group, including preparing briefing papers and updates for the group members and broader Steering Group
• Undertaking industry research and analysis that can contribute to organisational strategies and procedures
• Maintaining stakeholder database for the clean energy team (eg. key contacts in government and other organisations) for the purposes of communication, advocacy and engagement activities
• Monitoring relevant policy and clean energy sector developments and keeping internal teams up to date
• Provide policy support to other team members when required
• Project management to ensure projects are delivered in a timely, efficient and impactful manner.
• The responsibilities of the Policy Lead will be wide-ranging and your day to day work will adapt to the strategy and emerging priorities of the Network to achieve community led goals and solve problems as required.

Experience of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and an understanding of clean energy generation, supply chains and Australia’s rapid transition to clean energy will be a strong advantage. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.

about you

You are:

• Committed to the protection of country and justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• A collaborator with a belief in and commitment to building the power and capacity of others
• A team player, who is respectful, constructive and able to build relationships with a wide range of people and stakeholders
• Organised, able to manage projects in accordance with a budget and deliver results in a timely, efficient and impactful manner
• Robust in your political and personal judgement and able to work effectively in sensitive situations
• Resilient and willing to persevere to reach long term goals
• Committed to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Your skills and experience include:

• Understanding of how public policy is made and how to leverage information and relationships to shape it
• Adept at spotting political barriers and opportunities and finding ways to progress a policy agenda through them
• Appreciation of the potential power of organised peoples and communities and a desire to be part of a team that empowers community leaders to effect change
• High level cultural competency and proven ability to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills particularly to talk through complex issues, draw out implications and make persuasive recommendations for action
• A strong interest in energy, clean energy and environment/climate change policy is highly desirable

The position description can be viewed here, and is also attached to this advert.