Recruiting: Project Manager – Research and Policy

Title: Project Manager – Research and Policy

Reports to: Strategic Director

Location: Negotiable, with a strong preference for an east coast capital city. The WELA team works remotely from home, within AEST hours

Job Type: Part time, 0.6FTE for a six month contract. The position may be extended pending further funding

Salary: $92,775, plus superannuation (pro rata). This position is classified as Level 5.3 under the SCHADS award

Job Requirements: Occasional (monthly) after-hours work, ability for occasional domestic travel and access to a major capital city

Benefits: Flexible working location, work / life balance, supportive and empowering culture, generous leave provisions, mentoring opportunities

About the Position

Do you want to contribute to saving the environment, solving climate change and taking on the patriarchy?

We are seeking a Project Manager – Research and Policy to develop and deliver a new research project for climate, environmental and gender justice in Australia. 

This role is for an initial 6 month project, three days a week. The position may be extended pending further funding. 

You will be supported in the role by the Strategic Director, and work as part of a small team of seven people (4.3FTE).

About the Project

This project will support the development of national policies for climate, environmental and gender justice in Australia. 

The Project Manager will:

– undertake an assessment of the current research considering the gendered nature of the impacts and solutions to our climate and environmental crises in Australia

– identify research gaps and opportunities for policy development, including an intersectional lens in this assessment

– publish a report outlining the findings of this work, and 

– engage stakeholders and potential partners to advocate for the research and policy solutions required to address this challenge

Key Project Outputs

– A literature review of existing research related to the gendered nature of climate and environmental impacts and solutions in Australia

– A report outlining key findings of this literature review, and identifying policy gaps and opportunities 

– A public launch of the report to be held in Melbourne, engaging relevant stakeholders across sectors 

– Stakeholder mapping of existing networks and relevant organisations and influencers as related to climate, environmental and gender justice in Australia

– Initial engagement of key stakeholders to support and inform the project and its findings.

The WELA team, 2022.

Image description: WELA staff (2022)

About You

You’re passionate about our environment, and the importance of climate and environmental policy that considers and responds to the needs and inputs of all genders. 

You’re an experienced researcher and policy expert, and thrive in new and emerging policy spaces. You’re confident working with a range of stakeholders across academia, government, and civil society organisations, and are experienced in coordinating stakeholders for input and joint activities.  

You have a high degree of experience working in the gender or climate / environmental research and policy sphere, and a demonstrated interest in bringing an intersectional approach to these challenges. 

You are a strong writer and communicator, and have an ability to make complex concepts and information accessible to a broader audience. 

You enjoy working independently as part of a small team. You understand the realities of a small organisation, and don’t mind getting your hands dirty to support the team as and where needed. You can be confident the team will be there to support you in your work however it’s required. 

WELA is committed to creating a diverse and thriving community of women and gender diverse people for our environment and climate action. People from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities, communities of colour, or culturally and linguistically diverse communities are encouraged to apply.

Key Selection Criteria

– Demonstrated commitment to our environment and intersectional feminist policy

– Excellent research skills and experience in delivering comprehensive literature reviews in an accessible way

– Experience in climate, environmental or gender justice policy analysis and development

– Demonstrated experience in Project Management and ability to deliver a complex project to time and expectations 

– Demonstrated experience engaging and managing new stakeholders and establishing networks or alliances 

– Excellent written skills and broader communication skills, with experience writing and delivering public reports 

– Ability to work independently as part of a small team, with minimal supervision

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please send your CV and a cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria to lisa@wela.org.au by 9am AEST, Friday 26 May, 2023. For a brief discussion about the position, please book a time with WELA Strategic Director Victoria McKenzie-McHarg. 

About WELA

Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA) is empowering, supporting, funding and diversifying women’s and gender diverse leadership for our environment and climate action, in order to transform Australia’s response to our environmental and climate crises. 

Overwhelmingly, our existing political, business and societal leadership has failed to adequately address the climate and environmental crises at hand. It’s time for a leadership change. Put simply, we will not get out of this by relying on the same leadership that got us into it. The evidence is clear – more women in decision making roles equals better environmental outcomes. We need more of it. 

We’re a small and empowering team, with a big vision for change. We work hard, but have a healthy commitment to work/life balance, and enable the flexibility to support this. We support one another to grow, develop, and bring joy and creativity to our work each day.