Title: Senior Advisor Government Liaison
Location: Canberra based, t his is a hybrid position working from a home-based location
Salary: Level 5 - $119,609 - $135,000 (depending on experience and suitability) plus 11.5 % superannuation
Contract duration: Ongoing
Reports to: Executive Director Participation and Engagement
The Organisation
As Australia’s only national bird conservation charity, we are on a mission to put birds and nature on the path to recovery within a decade, leading and facilitating action that halts biodiversity loss and restores ecosystems. We can only achieve this with the help and support afforded to us by our diverse stakeholders including supporters, campaigners, donors, members and like-minded conservation organisations.
BirdLife Australia takes a science and evidence-based approach to bird conservation. Where strong conservation plans are in place and well-resourced the evidence tells us that threatened species can be brought back from the brink of extinction. With a 100-plus year history and Australia’s strongest and longest-lived collection of data and surveys, BirdLife Australia brings a wealth of observation and experience to the protection of native birds.
BirdLife Australia is a diverse organisation with more than 460,000 supporters, donors, volunteers, campaigners and members, over 150 staff across Australia, and a network of more than 40 voluntary community groups.
The Opportunity
The Senior Advisor Government Liaison will help deliver BirdLife Australia’s Bird Conservation Strategy by managing engagement and advocacy with federal and state governments, and other key stakeholders.
The role will work primarily with the Senior Manager Advocacy and Policy, Senior Manager Participation, Senior Advisor Public Relations and teams to:
•Ensure BirdLife Australia’s key policy and advocacy positions are communicated to government and other key sectors.
•Leverage our substantial supporter base to influence social and economic drivers.
•Advocate for policies, programs and practices that promote bird conservation.
•Work with the private sector to influence the key decision-making processes that affect conservation targets.
Selection Criteria
Essential
•Senior experience in a government or political liaison or adviser role.
•A positive outlook and ability to work collaboratively to achieve shared goals consistent with BirdLife Australia’s values.
•Demonstrated influence and negotiation skills to gain agreement and progress proposals or projects.
•High level strategic planning and management skills.
•Demonstrated ability to communicate with clarity, power, and passion to achieve communication objectives.
•Excellent interpersonal, representational, and relationship-building skills.
•High level computer literacy.
Desirable
•Experience in nature conservation with an understanding of the issues, stakeholders, complexity of regulations, and challenges.
•Experience influencing or working on policy, inquiry submissions, legislation or program development, preferably at the National level.
•An affinity with the aims and philosophy of a non-for-profit conservation organisation, philanthropy and the environmental sector.
Workstyle, attributes, and attitudes
•A high level of professionalism and accountability in all work.
•A strategic thinker and leader.
•A team player with a highly collaborative style, the flexibility and finesse to manage by influence.
•Responds positively to feedback and accommodates change, ability to provide constructive feedback.
•Ability to work well with minimum supervision, accepts high-level responsibility for work plan delivery.
•A willingness and capacity to work flexible hours as and when required.
Applications close at midnight, 22 July 2025.
Your application must include a cover letter, a statement briefly addressing the selection criteria and your current resume. For any technical queries related to the position, please contact Micah Demmert c/- people@birdlife.org.au.
Applicants must possess full working rights in Australia to be eligible for appointment and a current national police check (NPC), WWCC (or willingness to obtain).
BirdLife Australia is an equal opportunity employer. Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.