About Us 

The Sunrise Project is a global network of independent organizations united by a common mission - scaling social movements to drive the global transition beyond fossil fuels. We've developed a unique model that combines strategic grant-making with campaigning, supporting interconnected organizations to create powerful change aligned with our mission.

The Sunrise Project Australia is a proud member of The Sunrise Project network. Our organizational culture is dynamic and adaptable. We're committed to supporting our team members to thrive as we tackle the urgent challenge of climate change. We believe that a diversity of experiences and perspectives strengthens our strategies, teams, and movements.

The Sunrise Project Australia takes the broadest possible view of diversity and encourages First Nations people, people of colour, people living outside of cities, people living with disabilities, neurodiverse, and LGBTQIA+ people to apply. We are continually working on becoming a better workplace for everyone.  Find out more here.

About the role 

Based within the Australian Coal Mining team, this role focuses on developing campaigns to phase out fossil fuel extraction and achieve climate justice. Given Australia's position as a leading coal exporter with significant planned expansion projects, the work is critical for global climate action. The role also addresses methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, collaborating with the Australian Gas team to reduce emissions from coal and gas operations. By raising awareness of the need to cut methane emissions and phase out fossil fuels, the role aims to reduce Australia's impact on the climate crisis.

This role involves developing campaign strategies and tactics to highlight the environmental and climate impacts of methane emissions from fossil fuels. It focuses on building understanding among Australian communities and decision-makers about the urgency of reducing methane emissions and phasing out fossil fuels. Responsibilities include creating compelling movement narratives, identifying media opportunities, and ensuring that decision-makers accelerate Australia's decarbonization plans to keep coal in the ground and safeguard the environment for future generations. Tasks may involve collaborating with allies to respond quickly to new announcements, crafting communication strategies to shift dominant narratives, developing analysis to inform campaign interventions, and developing long-term strategies to guide efforts.

We support networks of organisations to work together to achieve climate justice and environmental outcomes that would not be possible by individual organisations acting alone. We expect all roles at Sunrise to actively support the capacity building of these networks and movement organisations.

About You  

You’re a creative and big picture thinker, capable of identifying points of intervention for campaigning towards ambitious long term goals. As an experienced campaigner, you understand how social movements build power and change the world. You’re focused on identifying goals and building campaigns and tactics to achieve them with a variety of allies. You are a skilled project manager and also enjoy getting into the details of a problem to find compelling opportunities for action. You’re a confident writer, communicator, and facilitator, who enjoys bringing people together to solve complex problems. You’re passionate about solving the climate crisis, and excited to be part of a dedicated team working to challenge Australian coal mining and emissions, and build movements for climate justice. 

Key responsibilities 

• Lead the development and implementation of compelling campaign strategies and tactics that support achieving our campaign goals and objectives on methane emissions and contribute to phasing out coal mining; 

• Provide strategic campaign and communications advice and support to organisations, advocates, and community groups  to run high impact campaigns that achieve results; 

• Facilitate relevant research, analysis, and strategic scanning to inform campaigns;  

• Drive policy advocacy, strategically navigating the public and policy debate, and contribute to educating movement allies about the problems, solutions, opportunities, and threats; 

• Proactively support the development of a more informed, effective, cohesive and powerful network of groups and people working to drive action on greenhouse gas emissions and coal mining;

• Work with organisations to design and evaluate grant proposals, objectives, strategies, and collaborate to ensure high-impact strategies are set and delivered. 

• Collaboratively develop and deliver on objectives relating to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, including proposing innovations in team processes;

• Contribute to organisation and team culture, reflecting the vision, mission and values of The Sunrise Project Australia, and aligns own work and goals with Sunrise’s mission and values.

Skills, knowledge and experience 

• Demonstrated experience in leading activism and campaigns, including unpaid, grassroots, or lived experience, or other relevant transferable skills and experience;

• Proven ability to analyse power and develop effective campaign strategies to achieve real-world change;

• Experience advocating for policy reform, including engaging with governments;

• Excellent verbal, written and visual communications skills with a strong ability to build engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders and audiences; 

• Well-developed interpersonal, collaboration, facilitation, and relationship building skills; 

• Ability to stay abreast of a rapidly shifting policy context and leverage campaign opportunities;

• Demonstrated ability to work across teams and allies on cross cutting issues to identify and support opportunities for collective action;

• A deep passion for and commitment to ambitious action for climate justice.

Desirable skills, knowledge, and experience

• Knowledge of or experience working in climate science, climate policy, fossil fuels, methane, environmental law, or corporate action on climate.

Job requirements 

• You must have full working rights for Australia.  The Sunrise Project is unable to sponsor applicants for employment visas.

• Employment background checks may be required.

• Previous employment reference checks will be required for successful applicants

• Attend local in person actions.

• Intermittent travel domestically, rurally, and internationally with advanced notice may be/is required.

How Sunrise supports its staff 

The Sunrise Project is committed to creating a workplace that supports our staff to do their best work and develop professionally. We have the following in place to help us achieve that, noting pro rata will apply for part time staff and/or temporarily appointed staff:

• Superannuation 12.5% & Salary Sacrifice for Superannuation

• Sunrise Time Off:

  • Additional Annual Leave 5 days p.a.

  • Long Service Leave available after 5 years of service

  • Birthday Leave 1 day p.a.

  • Solidarity and Community Leave 1 week p.a

  • Cultural Leave 4 days p.a (+ floating public holidays)

  • Gifted Leave (over Christmas and New Year)

  • Paid Parental Leave of 7.5 mths (inclusive of GPPL) - gender-neutral & inclusive of all family types, incl. Parental Return To Work & Keeping In Touch Program

  • Life Leave up to 40 days p.a. for significant personal reasons

• Flexible Working Policy

• Employee Assistance Program

• VIDA - An AI tool to support you working safely remotely

• Generous allowances for:

• Workspace Benefits incl: Macbook & accessories, initial $2,000 for home workspace and IT equipment + $800 every 2 years + up to $75/mth phone/data/internet.

• Shared office support

• Regular all-org and team meetings & retreats

• Learning & Development Program incl. a professional development budget for you

• Coaching & manager support with regular 1:1 meetings

• Annual performance & development reviews with 360 feedback

• A co-developed work plan to ensure clarity on your role & key responsibilities

• We provide our staff with a voice on issues that concern them via consultation, e.g. JEDI caucuses, working groups, slack channels, surveys and meetings.