Role Objective

This is an opportunity to join the policy, advocacy and campaigns team at Central Australia’s peak environmental organisation in a new role. Reporting to and working with the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, this role will grow the capacity of the team to strategically respond to key threats to arid land environments and communities, as well as to continue establishing a proactive agenda to support healthy arid landscapes. Priority areas that this role may engage with include: nature and buffel grass invasion; mining and nuclear waste; climate adaptation; and, water and water justice.

In collaboration with a small team of staff and volunteers, this position executes complex campaigns under the leadership of the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator to reach campaign goals and work towards improving outcomes for people and environments in the arid lands, meeting ALEC’s charitable purpose. The exact activities will depend on the skills, background and experience of the successful candidate.

Role Duties

Responsibilities

Overseen by the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, conduct campaign activities to meet campaign objectives.

Work with the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator to develop and implement a policy and advocacy engagement strategy;

Monitor industry and government developments that may impact existing campaigns, reporting developments to the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, adjusting campaign strategy as appropriate.

Increase public understanding of the risks and threats to arid environments, and the importance of their protection through digital (social media, email, petitions) and face-to-face (events, outreach trips, market stalls) engagement;

Assist in the development of written submissions on environmental regulatory reform and projects that pose a risk to arid land environments

Galvanise volunteers to engage in campaign activities, and foster collaboration between ALEC members to reach campaign goals

Work with ALEC Business Manager and ALEC Fundraising and Communications Coordinator to engage members, supporters and the wider community in environmental reform processes and increase understanding of environmental issues and threats related to assigned campaigns.

Selection criteria

Experience in, or demonstrated capacity to learn about, environmental policy and legislation

Experience working in a small team, in a flexible work environment and in an independent nature.

Excellent written and oral communications skills, with an ability to tailor the message and language for different purposes and audiences;

Interpersonal relationship skills, in particular building constructive and long-term relationships with both internal and external parties

Experience in planning and delivering successful people-powered campaigns;

Time management skills, in particular the ability to plan, organise and prioritise multiple projects and maintain tight deadlines.

Experience in building effective relationships in complex and sensitive situations, and an ability to deal with conflict;

A commitment to environment protection and action on climate change.

Applicable across all campaigns

Work with the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator to identify threats and opportunities to ALEC existing campaigns

Work with the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator to identify potential new campaigns based on external factors

Lead assigned campaigns with the support of the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, adhering to campaign strategies

Work with the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator to activate rapid response advocacy on time-sensitive, strategically aligned issues

Collaborate with external stakeholders on assigned campaigns and respond to policy developments.

Engage strategically in consultation and reform processes.

Applicable campaign activities

Complete strategic submissions in relation to regulatory reform and development applications

Development of position papers in key campaign areas

Monitor progress of campaigns and decisions made by government(s) and corporations, sharing this information with the community

Meet with government ministers and staffers to discuss campaign priorities and asks

Participate in grant seeking activities for unfunded works, with the support of the Fundraising and Communications Coordinator.

Communication Tasks

Draft media releases and maintain media contacts related to assigned campaigns

Preparation of compelling and targeted written plans, proposals, presentations and social media content related to assigned campaigns

Support the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator as the key media spokesperson for ALEC campaigns.

Volunteer Organising

Ensure that the appropriate volunteer procedures and systems are followed to ensure compliance with WHS and other legislative requirements in campaign activities.

Organisational Systems & Compliance

Contribute to maintaining ALEC compliance and risk management systems

Monitor, evaluate and report on ALEC campaigns to the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator at fortnightly touch base meetings

Work with the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator to develop and implement effective systems and processes to improve the quality and consistency of ALEC campaigns and advocacy.

How to Apply

Send your resume to our Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, Alex Vaughan: [email protected]

Timeframe

Job ad posted: 20/06/25

Job ad closed: 18/07/25

Interviews: week of 28/07/25

Start date: Depending on candidate, but aiming to have someone onboard by 01/09/25

About the Organisation

Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC) is Central Australia’s peak environmental organisation, caring for Australia’s iconic desert country for 45 years.

ALEC is a strong, independent, place-based and grassroots organisation that advocates for nature protection, strong environmental laws and climate justice. ALEC listens to, works with and supports communities resisting unjust development across the arid lands. We partner with diverse organisations to support local people and communities to take action to care for and protect the environment.

ALEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands we work on and their vital role in caring for country for millenia , now, and into the future. We acknowledge First Nations Elders past, present and emerging and recognise that their sovereignty was never ceded.

Our Vision

Healthy futures for arid lands and people.

Our Purpose

To protect nature and support ecologically sustainable development in the arid lands.

Our Values

Innovation: New thinking, fresh ideas and creative solutions to transform livelihoods in the arid lands.

Courage: We listen deeply and we act boldly.

Collaboration: We cooperate, partner and collaborate to build relationships and achieve the best outcomes.

Integrity: Our commitment is real and demonstrated by our actions – we walk the talk.