Join a Traditional Owner-led initiative driving systems change towards an empowered future for Healthy Reef and Healthy People!

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates strongly preferred
• Flexible Location – remote, with a preference for Queensland within the Reef catchment
• Fixed-term appointment until 30/06/2026 + possible extension

About ReefTO

The Reef Traditional Owner Taskforce (ReefTO) is a Traditional Owner-led, grassroots initiative that honours the decades of work by Elders to assert their cultural authority and rights to sea country and to drive genuine partnerships across the Reef. In doing so, ReefTO aims to achieve Traditional Owners’ aspirations for the health, management and protection of the Reef and interconnecting Country.

Establishment of the ReefTO Taskforce is a key recommendation in the Reef 2050 Traditional Owner Implementation Plan (the Plan). Operational since July 2024, the ReefTO Taskforce is responsible for overseeing delivery of the Plan.

ReefTO has three key priorities over the next 2-3 years, which it is resourced to deliver:

• Engaging with Traditional Owners on options for a Sea Country Alliance (Reef-wide and regionally) and implementing the preferred option
• Overseeing the delivery of strategic policy and capacity building actions listed in the TO Implementation Plan while a Sea Country Alliance is being established
• Monitoring and reporting on the delivery of Traditional Owner actions in the TO Implementation Plan, including actions delivered by ReefTO and by other agencies

ReefTO is hosted by Pollination Foundation until a Sea Country Alliance is set up.

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a part-time Digital Communications Officer to join ReefTO team on a fixed-term contract until end June 2026. The role will be 2 or 3 days a week, working remotely, but preferably in Queensland within the Reef catchment area.

Over the next couple of years, ReefTO will be leading a dynamic program of work, including activities such as: planning and delivering large events; engaging deeply with Traditional Owners throughout the Reef Catchment; working on policy and systems change; liaising with partners to co-design programs; and shaping genuine partnerships to empower Traditional Owners in Reef governance, management and decision-making.

This will require the support of a talented and passionate digital communications specialist, who is keen to get involved, and learn the ropes, in all aspects of digital marketing and communications.

The Digital Communications Officer will work closely with the Event Planning & Programming Officer, report to the General Manager and will have the opportunity to work alongside the ReefTO Taskforce members and co-Chairs, as well as Pollination Foundation’s Communications Director.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Input into the development of a comms plan for ReefTO
• Influencing the creation of the ReefTO brand to include a complete a brand guide, Canva templates and creative assets
• Coordinate the website content management and optimisation, including developing copy, regularly reviewing design and usability, managing and integrating plug-ins, SEO optimisation
• Work with the leadership team to manage ReefTO’s social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram)
• Contribute to the development of strategies for protecting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property and/or Indigenous Data from a digital communications perspective
• Develop digital content and perform some basic graphic design
• Manage electronic direct marketing by maintaining automated sequences and sending out regular email broadcasts to our database

What do you need to apply?

We’re seeking a capable and enthusiastic Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designer with digital communications and/or marketing experience and a positive attitude.

At ReefTO, we all work closely together, simply because we’re a small team and we’re all working on the same objectives. You won’t be alone!

You will ideally have the following knowledge, skills and competencies

• Demonstrated experience with delivering digital communications activities, ideally with exposure to working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people or organisations
• A flair and talent for graphic design and branding
• Strong copywriting skills and ability to take complex concepts, simplify them and make them compelling
• Experience at navigating social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram, and an understanding about how to develop and engage audiences with compelling content
• Experience in a WordPress environment and experience with tools such as Mail Chimp would be ideal
• Good organisational skills, including the ability to organise quotes, prepare briefs, record and present information in different ways (or willingness to learn the administrative side of communications and marketing)
• Familiarity with ICIP and FPIC would be ideal, but not essential
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative and effective relationships with people at different levels and functions
• Be comfortable giving and receiving feedback, and working to a brief
• Enthusiastic, positive attitude and diligent work ethic

The Workplace and Culture

We are 100% committed to building a strong, agile team and to fostering a positive, flexible and supportive work culture. We are a small team – we think it is important to have each other’s back and for us all to be aligned and working towards a shared vision and goals. To achieve this, we need different points of view, and we encourage the team to respectfully disagree and challenge one another.

ReefTO is strongly supportive of flexible working arrangements. This includes consideration of working-from-home and/or in an office, job share arrangements, and of course, appropriate leave entitlements to enable team members to fulfil cultural and family responsibilities. What is important to you in terms of flexible working arrangements? Let us know!

Pollination Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We welcome people of all backgrounds – but our preference is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person for this role.

If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application. We will then work with you to identify the best way to assist you through the recruitment process.

Play a part in helping us lead transformational systems change for Reef Traditional Owners!

For a detailed position description and what ReefTO is looking for in a candidate, please contact Vicky Drake on [email protected] using the subject line: Digital Communications Officer - Reef Traditional Owner Taskforce - Flexible Location enquiry via EthicalJobs.

About the Host Organisation

Pollination Foundation is the not-for-profit arm of Pollination with a focus on enabling a just transition towards a net zero, nature positive future.

The Foundation’s mission is to accelerate nature-based initiatives that put humanity at the heart of climate solutions because when nature thrives, we all thrive.

Our model centres on a systems change approach: partnering with Indigenous and local communities to elevate nature-based initiatives; collaborating with corporates and governments to unlock investments for nature; connecting practitioners for peer-to-peer learning; and sharing stories of hope, grounded in evidence, and told through the voices of partners.

As the host organisation of ReefTO, we are supporting Traditional Owners to structure and scale a community-designed and led model to co-govern, care for and sustain Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. The initiative honours the work of Elders to assert their cultural authority and rights to sea country and create genuine and effective partnerships across the Reef.

Find out more about ReefTO here.

Apply via the "Apply Now" button or contact Vicky Drake, Talent Acquisition Partner at Pollination Foundation on [email protected] for further information on the role.