Position available: Climate Justice Campaign Coordinator

Friends of the Earth Australia is seeking a skilled campaigner to coordinate the work of our Climate Justice Campaign. The position is 4 days per week and based in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne.

Position description

Job Title: Climate Justice Campaign Coordinator

Reports to: Friends of the Earth Australia Climate Justice Campaigners and a reference group

Employment basis: initial 6 month contract, subject to a performance review at 3 months and with a view to permanent employment pending successful fundraising.

Hours: 4 days per week (32 hours per week)

Salary: $35,559.68 gross/before tax p.a. (+ 9% additional superannuation)

Conditions: The Climate Justice Campaign Coordinator is employed under the terms and conditions described in the FoEA Workers’ Policy.

Start: March 2008

Location: Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne

Employment requirement: Ability to travel, preferably by land transportation when travelling within Australia;

Applications close: 22^nd Feb

Background

Friends of the Earth Australia (FoEA) is a grassroots volunteer-based organisation committed to achieving ecological sustainability and social justice. The FoEA Climate Justice Campaign has been in operation since 2001 and is the leading organisation in Australia addressing the imminent displacement of climate refugees.

The Climate Justice Campaign aims to highlight how the burden of climate change and some of its supposed solutions are already disproportionately impacting on the world’s most vulnerable peoples. We have a particular focus on achieving legal recognition for climate refugees in Australia, especially for the people of the small island states of the Pacific. In order to redress Australia’s carbon debt and low levels of aid, we aim for AUSAID to establish an equitable and appropriate international aid program with the integration of climate change considerations into policies. We also aim to expose the false solutions to climate change, and promote just and genuine solutions.

More information on the Climate Justice campaign can be found at http://www.foe.org.au/climate-justice.

Purpose

The successful person will coordinate the work of the national Climate Justice Campaign, with a particular focus on climate refugee work. The coordinator will facilitate the implementation of the climate justice campaign strategy and support the national FoE Australia climate justice campaign collective. In achieving campaign objectives, the coordinator will engage like minded groups/allies in research, policy and public advocacy work.

Key Responsibilities

1.     Build and maintain a vibrant national Climate Justice collective and facilitate the ongoing development and implementation of the national Climate Justice Campaign strategy in close collaboration with FoEA Climate Justice collective members.

2.     Undertake advocacy work on climate justice issues, prioritising engagement with government and community sectors.

3.     Build on, and liaise with, significant alliances and networks to the Climate Justice Campaign. Respond to and initiate activities with these networks as required.

4.     Coordinate the development of FoEA policy and public positioning on climate justice issues as needed and update policies as required.

5.     Coordinate proactive and reactive media work and respond to requests for national and international media statements pertaining to the Climate Justice Campaign.

6.     Seek innovative means to engage and mobilise public support for the climate justice campaign including writing for publications, organising multi-media and internet projects, public events and forums. Support FoE campaigners to publish, speak and perform on behalf of the national campaign.

7.     Produce a monthly climate justice e-bulletin, provide regular updates for FoEA’s national magazine Chain Reaction and local group newsletters.

8.     Coordinate responses to requests for climate justice information and materials from the general public and other organisations.

9.     Coordinate research and the preparation of reports and submissions as required.

10. Administer the campaign budget through consultation with other Climate Justice Collective members and the FoEA finance officer to keep abreast of incoming and outgoing funds.

11. Coordinate funding proposals for grants for campaign projects.

12. Collaborate with the fundraising officer to raise core campaign funds.

13. Where strategically possible participate in Friends of the Earth International Climate and Energy Programme activities, and build collaborative partnerships with Friends of the Earth International member groups.

14. Report to a reference group as required by the FoEA Committee of Management. Provide feedback from the reference group to the national campaign team to ensure the ongoing sustainability of this role within FoE Australia.

15. Produce progress reports as required.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential

• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of environmental justice and the principles and objectives of Friends of the Earth Australia (see http://www.foe.org.au/about-us);

• Clear and concise verbal and written communication, promotion and  presentation skills;

• Volunteer management experience in the environment or social change movement (demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate volunteers);

• Demonstrated activist-based campaign, lobbying and advocacy experience;

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and liaise and work with community representatives and organisations;

• Ability to relate to a wide range of people with varying social backgrounds;

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collectively;

• Good time management skills and ability to set appropriate and accurate priorities and meet required deadlines;

• Understanding of, and respect for consensus decision-making and collective operation (experience well regarded).

Desirable

·        Experience in a medium-sized, volunteer-driven organisation;

·        Understanding of Friends of the Earth, its structure and decision-making processes;

·        Understanding of the social justice dimensions of climate change and/or refugee issues.

Applications

Please email a brief CV and a separate statement of suitability addressing the selection criteria to Emma Brindal at emma.brindal@foe.org.au.

Applications Close: 22^nd February

Enquiries

Should be directed to Emma Brindal (07) 3846 5793 or emma.brindal@foe.org.au.