About Us

The Sunrise Project is a network of passionate changemakers driven by a shared mission to scale social movements that can drive the urgent transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. We believe in the power of people to solve the climate crisis, and we work alongside partners around the world to shift the systems — financial, political, and cultural — that are holding back climate action.

Since launching in Australia in 2012, Sunrise has grown into a global network of independent organisations with over 140 staff across 13 countries. We work behind the scenes to support bold strategies, build capacity in the climate movement, and catalyse collective action for impact at speed and scale. Our work is grounded in strong relationships, deep collaboration, and a fierce commitment to justice.

We’re proud of the culture we’ve built — one that centres trust, care, and the belief that how we work matters as much as what we do. We actively strive to reflect our values in how we lead, collaborate, and show up with our partners and each other. You can read about our values here.

About the team

Australia is one of the world’s largest coal and gas exporters — and these exports are fuelling the climate crisis. The End Fossil Fuel Exports campaign is building a bold, people-powered movement to shift public opinion, highlight the environmental harms caused by fossil fuel exports, shift public opinion, and secure a government commitment to phase out fossil fuel exports within a decade.

As a new team, we will build relationships with organisers, creatives, digital campaigners, and partners across the climate & social change movements to deliver high-impact campaigns that inspire action and drive policy change that accelerates climate action.

About the role

The Media Adviser plays a key role in shaping and securing high-impact media coverage that supports the campaign to prevent fossil fuel exports as a necessary step to prevent catastrophic climate change. Working closely with the Lead Digital Campaigner, Lead Organiser and Campaign Director, you will lead coordinated media efforts across a network of organisations and individuals, ensuring messaging is sharp, timely and aligned. Operating in a highly politicised environment, you will help drive proactive and reactive media strategies that elevate campaign moments, amplify grassroots voices, and advance our narrative objectives.

About you

You’re a creative and strategic thinker with a passion for climate justice. You’ve got a track record of delivering high-impact media coverage that changes the story and you are passionate about preventing coal and gas exports that fuel the climate crisis so we can have a safe future for us all. 

You have a knack for lightning-speed strategising and have a strong understanding of the role compelling media coverage plays in delivering social change. You’re a skilled story-teller, writer and facilitator and a natural collaborator who works effectively to align diverse and at times competing media objectives to achieve common goals. You’re confident in dealing with the media landscape and have solid relationships with journalists across Australia.

Key responsibilities

Across all areas below, and in line with our ethical AI principles and guidelines, develop and implement a plan to leverage AI for comprehensive media monitoring, insightful coverage analysis, strategic trend forecasting, enhanced storytelling, robust spokesperson preparation, and maximized media impact.

• Lead media strategy & execution - Design and deliver proactive and reactive earned media strategies to meet campaign goals, maintaining a media calendar aligned with milestones, narratives, and key political or corporate moments.

• Develop compelling content & storytelling - Craft persuasive press releases, op-eds, talking points, and media kits; amplify grassroots and frontline stories; and manage a content library of images, video, and collateral that is accessible, inclusive, and culturally appropriate.

• Support spokespeople & build capacity - Prepare community leaders and subject matter experts for media interviews and appearances, and provide communications and media training to community groups and partners.

• Strengthen media relationships & collaboration - Cultivate strong ties with journalists in political, climate, and social justice reporting, and work closely with internal teams, external partners, and legal advisors to ensure integrated and aligned media work.

• Monitor impact & adapt strategy - Track and analyze media coverage to assess impact, report on outcomes, and adjust tactics as needed, including leading discrete communications projects with partners.

• Align with organisational values - Ensure all media and communications work reflects Sunrise’s strategy and values, while supporting additional communications tasks as directed.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Significant experience developing and implementing media and communication strategies and plans that achieved real world change and supported campaign objectives.

• Demonstrated experience in proactive and reactive media and communications strategies across all media/digital channels, including crisis/issues management.

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and visual communications skills, with strong news judgment and the ability to identify timely media opportunities.

• Proven training and facilitation abilities, including spokesperson preparation and messaging resource development for both internal teams and public communications.

• Digital-savvy with working knowledge of how earned media integrates with digital campaigning, social media, offline organising, and influencer outreach.

• Strong AI proficiency or willingness to learn.

• Demonstrated experience building strong journalist relationships in Australia’s climate and political media sectors.

• Proactive, creative mindset with resilience to handle backlash, disinformation, and high-pressure situations.

• Strong commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, including experience working with or within grassroots or frontline communities, with an ability to amplify lived experience respectfully and effectively.

Job requirements 

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

• Employment background checks are required.

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

Questions? Contact kajute@sunriseproject.org

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: A Macbook, 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.