Principal Associate, Protecting Australia’s Nature

Protecting Australia’s Nature

Australia is the only nation on Earth that also spans a continent. Because of its isolation over many millions of years, Australia is one of 17 nations in the world to be considered “megadiverse” because of its exceptional biodiversity. In 2007, Pew began its conservation work in Australia, and as our program matured, we formed partnerships with First Nations communities and local conservation partners to advance place-based protections. Central to our work with First Nations people is ensuring there is equity in the delivery of our conservation objectives and program goals and that we support the growth of Indigenous led conservation.

Pew is a results-oriented organization. In Australia we lead and partner on innovative and collaborative advocacy that has led to the declaration of the world’s largest network of marine parks, the doubling of Outback land protected in Australia’s National Reserve System and securing of more than $1 billion in funding for Indigenous land management. While efforts have expanded Australia’s terrestrial and marine protected areas, the ecological health of Australia’s landscapes is threatened by a range of pressures, including invasive species, habitat loss, overfishing, water extraction, and climate change. Australia’s key environmental indicators continue to decline, including the conservation status of threatened and endemic species. Recently, Pew’s Protecting Australia’s Nature team and our partners have expanded our goals to encompass a continental focus, aiming to extend protection to critical terrestrial, marine, and freshwater systems by drawing on a robust network of influence both federally and in the states where we campaign.

The Environment Program at The Pew Charitable Trusts

For more than 30 years, Pew has been a major force in engaging the public and policy makers about the causes, consequences, and solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Our environment work spans all seven continents with more than 250 professionals working at the local, national, and international levels to reduce the scope and severity of global environmental problems, such as the erosion of large natural ecosystems that contain a great part of the world’s remaining biodiversity, and the destruction of the marine environment. Pew’s global environmental program focuses on science-based, nonpartisan, and sustainable solutions to help protect the planet and people. We work in partnership with governments, Indigenous rights holders, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, local stakeholders, scientists, and other researchers to advance public policy so that nature and communities can thrive.

Since 1990, Pew has worked in North America, South America and Australia to protect large and critically important terrestrial ecosystems, including rivers and other freshwater resources, coastal temperate rainforests, interior mountain ranges, the northern boreal forests, Australia’s Outback, and Chilean Patagonia. We work to ensure these natural systems remain bountiful, functioning, and resilient, providing essential ecological services such as clean air and clean water, sustenance and food security for local communities and more broadly for the welfare of current and future generations. Our work relies on the sciences of conservation, sociology, biology, and economics to advocate for practical and durable solutions to the loss of biodiversity.

In the sea, reforms to how our oceans are managed are essential to address overfishing, pollution, and loss of habitat. Pew began its oceans program in the United States, focusing on ending overfishing and protecting fragile marine habitat. Starting in 2005, Pew’s ocean conservation program expanded around the world and played a significant role in reforming marine fisheries management in the European Union and on the high seas and creating large scale marine reserves around the world. Our work is grounded in the best available science and pursues domestic and international conservation measures that are long-term and provide permanent, durable protections for marine ecosystems. We also work to address systemic threats to the ocean, including from plastics, over-and-illegal fishing, seabed mining, and climate change.

Position Overview

The Principal Associate, Protecting Australia’s Nature, plays a vital role in supporting the delivery of the Western Australian campaigns in Pew’s Protecting Australia’s Nature project. The role requires a proactive, organized, and accomplished advocate with high level communication and mature interpersonal skills.

Reporting to the WA Manager, Protecting Australia’s Nature, the role collaborates with the Senior Officer (Partnerships and Protected Areas landscapes) and a national team to integrate strategy and tactics focused on Government and stakeholder engagement, media, and communications.

Pew’s WA protected area campaign is entering a new phase, following the delivery of 6.5 million hectares of new national and marine parks, and nature reserves through the WA Government's Plan for Our Parks. The campaign is now focused on securing the delivery of additional protected area opportunities, including co-management with Traditional Owners, by 2030 and in line with Australia’s and WA’s commitment to global biodiversity goals.

This position is based in a Pew’s Office in West Perth. This position participates in Pew’s hybrid work program with core days in the office and the flexibility to work from home the remaining days. Staff also enjoy four remote working “flex weeks” per year.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of an agreed strategy alongside the campaign manager.

• Identify opportunities and co-ordinate campaign initiatives, including agreed measurement of progress and outcomes.

• Document, track, and report on campaign progress, milestones, and impact.

• Develop and maintain positive working relationships across government, media, and stakeholders aligned with the campaign strategy.

• Support briefings and development of relationships with key decision-makers in WA.

• Prepare briefing materials, meeting notes, and follow-up actions for engagement with officials.

• Record and report on, as needed, engagement with officials.

• Support the development and activation of the WA Better by Nature alliance and Pew’s participation in the alliance.

• Co-ordinate strategic relationships with stakeholders, including non-profits, Traditional Owners, private conservancies, landholders, and other community groups.

• Foster a work environment that inspires excellence, values impact, encourages transparency, builds mutual trust and respect, embraces and values diversity, and is collaborative, caring and compassionate.

• Participate in activities that support program and Pew-wide objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent industry experience in public policy, political science, law, journalism, environmental management, advocacy, or other related field such as project management.

• Generally, 6 years of experience in advocacy, government relations, media and/or communications, or related discipline, such as project management, and a demonstrated commitment to conservation.

• High-level project or campaign management skills.

• Experience in establishing and maintaining positive stakeholder or project partner relationships.

• Excellent written and verbal communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Demonstrated experience managing multiple priorities and performing under time pressure, including in a small team.

• Analytical skills and experience synthesizing and summarizing public policy developments and focusing on the essence of an issue.

• Experience working with complex conservation issues and developing sophisticated communications.

• Skill in thinking strategically and creatively, adjusting to changing circumstances, remaining attentive to details, and exercising sound judgment in problem-solving.

• Demonstrated time- and project-management skills, including meeting multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization.

• Aptitude to apply a non-partisan, evidence-based approach to projects and campaigns that require support across the political spectrum.

• A valid driver’s license is essential; 4WD experience is desirable.

Travel

This position requires domestic and occasional international travel for work purposes.

Work Authorisation

Candidates must be legally authorised to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship.

Salary Range

Australia Pay Range: $115,700 - $129,200

The salary range represents a reasonable estimate of the annual salary based on Pew’s commitment to provide equitable and market-competitive pay. The actual salary offered will take into consideration many factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills and experience, internal pay equity, and business need.

Pew is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, or any other protected characteristics.