Manager, Protecting Australia’s Nature

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.

Protecting Australia’s Nature

Australia’s isolation over millions of years has led to our exceptional biodiversity. We are one of only 17 nations considered ‘megadiverse’. As the only nation on earth to span an entire continent, we have a unique opportunity to protect this outstanding natural world for generations to come.

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 protect some of Australia’s most special and important natural places. Our focus on results and strong partnerships in Australia 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 has secured over $1 billion in funding for Indigenous land management.

Now Pew is committed to new ambitious goals to ensure a positive future for people and nature in Australia. This includes working to ensure Australia meets its commitment to the Global Biodiversity Framework goal of protecting 30% of the continent by 2030 and working with Indigenous partners to secure the protection of some of the highly intact rivers of Northern Australia for their outstanding natural and cultural values.

Position Overview

The manager, Protecting Australia’s Nature, is responsible for leading Pew’s work in Western Australia on the creation of new national parks and protected areas on land, and supporting work on the protection of the Martuwarra Fitzroy River. Working with the project director (terrestrial), the manager is responsible for developing and implementing campaign strategies to deliver the project’s deliverables—including sizeable, high-quality protected areas and protection of the Martuwarra Fitzroy River. The manager also contributes to the broader objectives of Pew’s Protecting Australia’s Nature program, time permitting.

This role is suitable for someone with experience in leading and winning environmental advocacy campaigns (or similar evidence-based community and stakeholder campaigns), and with experience in leading a high performing team with diverse skillsets.

Pew respects the rights of First Nations people with regards to making decisions about the future of their lands and waters and seeks to work in partnership with Traditional Owners and their representative organisations. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage all applicants with relevant skills to apply.

The manager reports to the project director (terrestrial), Protecting Australia’s Nature and is located Pew’s West Perth office. This position is eligible for up to 60% telework from home.

Responsibilities

• Foster a work environment that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible and in line with Pew and the project’s related goals.
• Manage and mentor members of the project, including day-to-day leadership and ongoing professional development, and manage the work of contractors.
• Lead Pew’s work on the campaign to secure Government support for an ambitious new protected areas program across Western Australia by 2030 and ensure its delivery.
• Assist with securing protection for the Martuwarra Fitzroy River in partnership with Traditional Owners and other campaign partners.
• Develop and implement campaign strategy; deliver campaign results in accordance with the project’s goals.
• Coordinate with the other relevant campaign leads.
• Develop and manage project budgets.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships.
• Develop and implement political strategy.
• Manage campaign communications and undertake media as needed.
• Contribute to relevant elements of the management of the Protecting Australia’s Nature program as needed.
• Collaborate across other campaigns in the Protecting Australia’s Nature program to add value to the broader Australia program.
• Participate in activities that support program and Pew-wide objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Generally eight years of applicable experience in the state and national level advocacy. This includes experience in the design and implementation of campaigns aimed at solving conservation needs. Strong knowledge on protected areas, biodiversity conservation and management, environmental advocacy, and working with Indigenous communities in Australia.
• Previous staff, project, and/or consultant management experience, including experience managing performance management process for direct reports and providing career development advice, with a particular view to setting clear work programs, building capacity, team building, and fostering a healthy culture.
• Significant experience with creating, developing and leading campaigns, and a track record of campaign success that produce measurable results.
• Experience setting short- and long-term planning goals in line with program strategy; has developed and managed campaign budgets. A task-oriented style, with focus on achieving clear and ambitious goals. Meets multiple deadlines across campaigns by being organized and able to prioritize well. Develop and move campaigns forward with a high degree of independence and autonomy.
• Experience synthesizing information rapidly and to determine the right time and nature of intervention. A strong commitment to producing measurable results.
• Experience managing and implementing well-researched communications strategies across all platforms. Strong written and oral communications skills. Adept at facilitation.
• Excellent listening skills. A good understanding of how to manage by influencing others and read nuances of meaning accurately.

Key Attributes And Preferred Experience

• Good judgment, make decisions, justify recommendations, and be responsive and clear with consultants, colleagues, direct reports and partners.
• Inspire and effectively coach staff and contractors.
• Good interpersonal skills; develop and manage respectful, productive relationships with colleagues, direct reports, consultants, partners, and others relevant to the role.
• Exhibit skills of diplomacy. Work productively with a wide array of people, cultures, sectors, and institutions that have different perspectives and objectives. A track record of identifying potential partners, cultivating relationships, and generating interest and support for a cause.

Travel

Travel is required periodically throughout Australia and occasionally to The Pew Charitable Trusts office in Washington, D.C. (consistent with Pew COVID-19 safety protocols).

Application Process

Please click the application link/button and follow the instructions to send a CV and cover letter to the attention of Human Resources. Applications to close on 19 January 2024.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.