Climate Security Lead

Executive Level 1

Canberra, ACT

About the Bureau

We are Australia’s weather, climate, water, oceans and space weather agency. Our work touches the lives of all Australians every day.

Our products and services include observations, forecasts, warnings, analysis and advice. They cover Australia’s atmosphere, water, oceans and space environments.

The Bureau operates under the authority of the Meteorology Act 1955 and the Water Act 2007. We also fulfill Australia’s international obligations under the Convention of the World Meteorological Organization and related international meteorological treaties and agreements.

Read the Bureau of Meteorology Strategy 2022–27 to find out more about our organisation and the work we do for all Australians.

Working at the Bureau

The Bureau represents a dynamic and exciting opportunity. At the Bureau you will:

1. do meaningful work that brings real benefits to the Australian community, businesses and government.
2. work with dedicated experts and professionals who constantly seek to improve the services we provide to our customers.
3. work in excellent workplaces in a variety of great locations. You'll have access to the latest technology in a diverse, safe and inclusive environment for everyone.
4. experience our commitment to learning, growth, training and clear career pathways. You'll receive competitive salary and benefits.

Position overview

The Climate Security Lead reports to the National Security and Space Partnerships Lead (EL2) and works with the Australian government's national security sector to build relationships that will enable the Bureau to deliver value and impact for their operations.

Your focus will be the national security sector and their climate security needs. The National Security and Space Partnerships team, that you would be a part of, are charged with developing a deep understanding of what our customers do in order represent their needs to internal stakeholders in the development of new products; and to work closely with customers in the realisation of new opportunities.

With this deep national security sector knowledge, you will lead and shape our climate security capability, working with a small sub-team to provide global analysis that combines climate information and national security risks. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential, as you will be contributing analysis to and overseeing the production of climate security products containing insights, translating complex information into simple concepts The Climate Security Lead will engage across the Bureau with teams such as the Australian Climate Service, researchers and climatologists to enhance this capability.

To be successful you will have:

• Strong teamwork and a collaborative and consultative approach, with a natural inclination to share information and bring people together to realise a vision
• Experience working within the national security, international development, foreign affairs or intelligence sectors
• Strong engagement and leadership skills
• Business or opportunity development experience
• Ability to work independently under broad guidance
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with a knack for translating technical information into simple concepts

This role is Canberra-based, however many of the broader team are situated around the country. You should expect to connect internally through Microsoft Teams. Some interstate travel and meetings in person with customers will be required.

What do we mean by climate security?

Climate security refers to the direct and indirect impacts of climate on peace and security.

The increased frequency of extreme weather events and changing weather patterns is exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and tensions such as forced displacement, water and food scarcity, disruptions in international trade and human health. Existing inequalities mean that disadvantaged countries suffer disproportionately from climate impacts and hinder their ability to cope, which further compounds access to resources, increasing social tensions.

The exacerbation of global and regional instability is leading to impacts on Australia, including increased demands for peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance from Australia, such as contribution global efforts to mitigate climate change and support vulnerable communities. Key climate security impacts include:

• Food and water security: food availability, reduced crop yields, depleted water resources and poor water quality; impacting variety and availability, leading to health impacts and increased competition.
• Human security: extreme weather events leading to displacement, loss of livelihoods and heightened vulnerability.
• Economic security: disruption to industries such as agriculture, tourism and fisheries, leading to economic losses, trade implications and reduced productivity.
• Critical infrastructure security: damage to critical infrastructure such as energy production, transportation networks, and communication systems, particularly from extreme weather events and shifting resource availability, leading to disruption to essential services
• Health security: increasing prevalence of heat-related illness, spread of disease and strained healthcare systems.
• National security: exacerbated regional instability and conflicts, posing threats to national security through increased demands for peace keeping and humanitarian assistance.
• Political security: exacerbated social tensions, resource conflicts and grievances, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected regions.

The Bureau, through this team, considers upcoming weather, water, climate, ocean and space weather information and hazards in terms of these impacts, and informs the national security sector and government agencies of potential or exacerbating climate security flash points.

Role responsibilities

The responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:

1. Writing climate security risk analyses and taking responsibility for the overall delivery of climate security products such as the Global Seasonal Outlook.
2. Deepening relationships with the national security sector and internationally focussed government agencies to generate innovative solutions and products; and develop a comprehensive understanding of their business and climate security needs.
3. Engaging closely with government partners to help identify opportunities for climate security analysis.
4. Contributing to growing a pipeline of opportunities within the national security sector to deliver agreed and sustainable growth in impact and value for our partners. This may include preparation of business proposals, including costing, in collaboration with other teams.
5. Developing and maintaining a high level of knowledge of the Bureau’s capabilities, products and services, along with an understanding of their underlying science, in support of the promotion of their adoption and uptake by national security agencies.
6. Contributing to the Defence and National Security Sector Services Plan.
7. Representing national security sector needs to various stakeholders across the Bureau including the Australian Climate Service, researchers and climatologists.
8. Championing the climate security capability within and external to the Bureau.
9. Representing the Bureau at various climate security-related government fora.
10. Working closely with the National Security and Space Partnerships team to develop the climate security capability.
11. Contributing to a broad range of management and other enterprise-wide activities within the Bureau.
12. Using CRM (Dynamics365) to manage customer intelligence, enquiries and opportunities.
13. Complying with all Bureau work, health and safety policies and procedures, and taking reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of employees, contractors and visitors who may be affected by your conduct.

Selection criteria

The Bureau encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Applications will be considered based on alignment with selection criteria, which have been matched to the APS work level standards and Integrated Leadership System (ILS) for EL1 positions.

1. Technical Knowledge

• Demonstrated experience providing expertise relating to national security, climate security, international development, foreign affairs, intelligence and/or climatology.
• Demonstrated experience conducting analysis and writing for a broad audience.
• Knowledge of the national security impacts climate change and extreme weather can have on societies.
• Ability to identify opportunities to add value to stakeholders and realise them by preparing proposals and bringing together internal contributors.
• Knowledge of climatology or meteorology would be helpful but is not an essential requirement.

2. Communication and Engagement

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills – communicates clearly and with influence.
• Inspires a sense of purpose and direction aligned with the organisation’s strategic direction
• Ability to communicate with technical specialists and non-technical people alike, tailoring language to the audience

3. Leadership and Accountability

• Nurtures positive relationships with internal stakeholders and customers across the national security sector, national intelligence community and/or with international development agencies
• Commitment to a high level of customer service and delivery of tangible outcomes for these customers and stakeholders.
• Demonstrates strong teamwork and a collaborative approach
• Ability to think strategically, and to leverage input and advice from others to provide informed and innovative advice
• Builds organisational capability and responsiveness
• Experience supervising staff or leading a team of multi-disciplinary people to deliver outcomes

4. Achieves results

• Sound organisational and time management skills
• Experience assisting or leading strategic planning, program management and/or policy development.
• Ability to take personal responsibility for meeting objectives and progressing work, with broad direction from senior leadership
• Self-motivated with demonstrated use of initiative
• Steers and implements change and comfortable with uncertainty

Qualifications & experience

A degree or diploma from an Australian educational institution, or a comparable overseas qualification, which is appropriate to the duties; OR other comparable qualifications, which are appropriate to the duties.

Merit pool

The selection process will establish a merit pool that may be used to fill similar positions within 18 months.

How to apply

Applications can be lodged through the Bureau of Meteorology Careers.

Your application will consist of resume, contact details for two referees and a ‘800-word pitch’ that considers:

• position overview
• job responsibilities
• selection criteria