This role is fully remote / work from home.

The Australian Pollination Strategy will bring together representatives from all sectors impacted by pollination to create an informed, strategic and coordinated approach to Australia’s pollination supply.

Led by the Wheen Bee Foundation, the Australian Pollination Strategy will:

• Identify best management practices and policies for community, industry, local, state and federal government policies
• Advocate for pollinator protection across Australia, and enable actions that improve wild pollinator abundance and diversity in the landscape
• Support the development of a pollination services industry with the capacity and capability to meet the increasing demand for pollination services for agriculture and the environment
• Incorporate approaches for optimising pollination for agriculture and the environment including the use of alternative managed pollinators and augmented pollination

The Australian Pollination Strategy (APS) will address three areas to improve pollination for associated industries and the environment including:

• Policy: addressing biodiversity, biosecurity and trade policies among others and ensuring they are optimised for pollination
• Research: defining and co-ordinating research to address threats to pollinators and making pollination more efficient
• Extension activities: supporting land managers, organisations and community groups to implement best practice strategies and techniques to optimise pollination for the benefits of agriculture and the environment simultaneously.

The APS will be a model of best practice, with policies aimed to optimise bees and other pollinators to leverage pollination for the benefit of the environment, biodiversity and food security.

About the role

The Program Manager will oversee the successful development and implementation of the Australian Pollination Strategy, a landmark initiative aimed at securing Australia’s pollination future for agriculture, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability.

The role will involve coordinating with diverse stakeholders, managing project timelines and budgets, and managing an implementation plan based on the goals of the Australian Pollination Strategy.

This position is central to ensuring a collaborative, informed, and strategic approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with pollination in Australia.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Management

• Lead the coordination, development and publication of the Australian Pollination Security Status Report and the Australian Pollination Strategy (APS).
• Manage and oversee the day-to-day operations of the APS project, ensuring it is delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Coordinate with APS project delivery partners including APS Steering Committee Chair, consultants, report writers and communications and stakeholder engagement team to ensure smooth progress towards program delivery goals.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including agricultural organisations, pollinator dependent groups, environmental groups, researchers and industry partners.
• Monitor, evaluate, and report on program progress.

Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary liaison between stakeholders, including industry groups, environmental organisations, government agencies, research institutions, and funding partners.
• Facilitate collaboration across sectors to identify and advocate for policies, practices, and innovations that support pollinator protection, pollination services, and agricultural sustainability.
• Represent the APS in public forums, industry conferences, and stakeholder meetings.

Project Management and Coordination

• Develop and manage detailed project plans, including timelines, milestones, budgets, and reporting requirements.
• Ensure efficient use of the total funding contributions to achieve project goals.
• Manage risk assessment and mitigation strategies throughout the project lifecycle.

Key selection criteria

Essential

1. Project Management Expertise

• Proven experience managing large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects with significant budgets and diverse objectives.
• Strong leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to facilitate collaboration among diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience engaging with government agencies, industry representatives, researchers, and community organisations.

2. Policy and Advocacy

• An understanding of environmental, agricultural, and biodiversity policies and their impact on pollination.
• Experience in policy development and advocacy at local, state, or federal levels.

3. Communication Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience in report writing.

4. Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving

• Ability to think strategically, identify opportunities, and address challenges proactively and effectively.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Australian agricultural systems, biodiversity, and pollinator conservation.
• Experience working in the not-for-profit or environmental sectors.
• Familiarity with pollination ecology, pollinator health, agricultural systems, and sustainability principles.

Work Conditions

• Full-time four-year fixed contract, with flexibility in working hours and location (some travel may be required).
• Reports to the APS Steering Committee Chair.
• Contract starts 31 March 2025. Contract ends 30 June 2029 (Four years and three months).
• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.