About Us

Driven by the imperative of climate justice, The Sunrise Project is a global network of changemakers working to drive the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. We support hundreds of organisations, move millions in funding to grassroots movements, and coordinate bold campaigns that shift the public narrative, shift finance, and challenge the social licence of fossil fuel companies.

Founded in Australia in 2012, we activate and operate a unique model of grant-making and campaigning to achieve large-scale, global impact. Today, Sunrise is a global network of three independent organisations that share a common mission and values and drive aligned strategies.

With a geographically distributed team across Australia, The Sunrise Project Australia (TSPA) is one of the largest funders and climate impact makers within the region. Making ~$40m in grants in line with our program strategies, we fund the most climate progressive Australian universities, think tanks, activist organisations, and grassroots groups and support them to work together for large-scale impact.

We're a values-driven team that thrives on collaboration, creativity and purpose. Our culture is inclusive, flexible and supportive, helping people do their best work on big, urgent challenges. You can read about our values here. 

We value diversity in all its forms and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people of colour, people with disabilities, people outside urban centres, and LGBTQIA+ folks. We're committed to being a welcoming and inclusive place to work.

About The Role

Gas is one of the most climate-damaging fossil fuels, with a lifecycle emissions impact comparable to coal. To keep global heating below 1.5°C, no new gas or coal projects can be developed. Yet Australia is one of the world’s top three LNG exporters and is opening vast new onshore fracking basins. What happens here will shape energy choices across Asia and the world. Australia can lock in billions of tonnes of pollution, or it can help tip the scales of global energy away from fossil fuels and towards renewables.

The Sunrise Project’s Australian Gas Program exists to prevent gas expansion and accelerate energy transition. We do this by working with and resourcing movements — from frontline First Nations communities to grassroots organisers, to NGOs and researchers and more — to build the power needed to take on the polluting gas industry. Preventing new projects doesn’t just cut emissions and protect the environment; it shows that one of the world’s biggest fossil fuel exporters can chart a path to climate justice.

We’re hiring a Senior Campaigner to take on this challenge. In this role you will:

• Convene and support powerful coalitions, building alignment across the movement;

• Lead campaigning to prevent gas expansion and drive climate action;

• Shape narrative and communications strategies that expose the risks of gas, challenge the “transition fuel” myth, and shift public and political debate.

This is a senior role for someone ready to lead in complex, fast-moving environments, balancing sharp strategy with deep relationships. Every win in Australia resonates globally, advances climate justice, and makes a just, liveable future more possible.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of campaign strategies to prevent gas expansion, including strategic analysis, rapid response, and resource mobilisation;

• Build strong, trusting relationships with movement allies — from frontline First Nations communities to grassroots groups, NGOs, researchers, and funders — providing strategic campaign advice and support to scale high-impact campaigns;

• Convene and facilitate coalitions and networks to build alignment, strengthen collaboration, and shift power to prevent gas expansion and drive climate action;

• Work with organisations to design and evaluate grant proposals that advance campaign goals;

• Shape and deliver narrative strategies and campaign communications, including media engagement and digital storytelling;

• Integrate justice, equity, diversity and inclusion into strategy, planning and team culture;

• Contribute to the overall work and culture of the Australian Gas team.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• Proven track record of leading campaigns, advocacy, or organising that delivered real-world change;

• Demonstrated experience convening, facilitating, and sustaining coalitions, including building alignment across diverse stakeholders and navigating conflict;

• Excellent communication skills in campaigning, including designing narrative strategies, shaping public messaging and digital storytelling, and identifying opportunities for media impact;

• Strong strategy development skills, including power analysis, political judgement, and planning in complex environments;

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across organisations and communities in high-stakes contexts, including solidarity with First Nations leadership and frontline communities.

Job requirements

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

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

How to apply for this job

We recognize that racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, classism and other forms of discrimination creates structural barriers that impact opportunities to formal education and experience. When assessing candidates we look at more than the jobs you've been paid to do but the range of ways you've picked up skills and knowledge throughout your life. This is why we assess candidates on how well they respond to application questions and don’t require a cover letter.