Policy Officer | Senior Policy Officer | Assistant Directors

The Australian Government's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is hiring for Policy Officer, Senior Policy Officer, and Assistant Directors in the Nature Finance & Markets Division. This role focuses on enhancing private investment in nature and includes responsibilities related to the Nature Repair Market. The division operates on a hybrid model, allowing for remote work as well as positions in various Australian cities.
• Multiple Classifications per annum plus superannuation
• Nature Finance & Markets Division
• Adelaide, SA,Brisbane, QLD,Canberra, ACT,Darwin, NT,Hobart, TAS,Melbourne, VIC,Perth, WA,Sydney, NSW,Other

This advertisement is being used to fill temporary vacancies across the Division and applications to this advertisement may be assessed prior to the application closing time.
You will only be contacted in the event your skills and experience match the requirements of current vacancies. There is no guarantee that an offer of employment will be made.

Who we are
The Nature Finance and Markets (NFaM) Division leads work focussed on increasing private investment in nature to accelerate environmental outcomes. The Division is responsible for the Nature Repair Market and drives broader nature-related initiatives under the Sustainable Finance Roadmap. The Division is responsible for overall policy for the Nature Repair Market, including developing methods, working with the CER on implementation, advising and supporting the expert Nature Repair Committee, and leading partnerships to ensure the Market is underpinned by robust and transparent tools and systems and science. The Division also drives broader nature-related initiatives under the Sustainable Finance Roadmap. The Nature Finance Council and Nature Positive Matters support progress in the corporate sector to advance private sector action on, and investment in, nature. The Division operates a hybrid working model, with around half of staff based in Canberra, and half in state offices or working remotely. We have a diverse workforce with varied areas of expertise, including staff with technical skills in science, data systems and finance, stakeholder engagement specialists, and policy development.

The Nature Finance and Markets Division has three branches. The Nature Repair Market Branch progresses the operational design of the Nature Repair Market. The branch leads on delivering systems, science and mechanisms for biodiversity outcomes and co-benefits, in terrestrial and coastal ecosystems. This includes the prioritisation and development of ‘methods’ – the rules for projects under the Nature Repair Market. The Market Establishment Branch brings together the different elements of the Nature Repair Market to ensure its effective implementation. The branch supports the Nature Repair Committee, which provides expert advice to the Minister to ensure integrity in the Nature Repair Market. The branch leads the relationship with the CER, manages overall scheme governance, advises on legislation and monitors and informs strategic alignment and opportunities. The Nature Finance Policy Branch drives a cross-cutting work program to achieve integrated policy settings that increase investment in nature. The branch leads on market policy and strategy, and sustainable finance to mainstream nature into financial decision-making. This includes supporting on-ground action to deliver biodiversity improvements through progressing policy to underpin and enable the Market and enhance land sector contribution, progressing policy to enable private investment through leveraging climate finance and frameworks and leading strategic engagement to accelerate private sector action on nature.

For more information about us please visit our website.

The jobs
There are a range of positions, duties will depend on the specific role and align to expectations at the relevant level, but may include:
• Preparing draft reports, briefing papers, Ministerial correspondence, discussion papers and communications products, for review by Executive level employees
• Leading or supporting development of policy, legislation , including research, analysis and scheme design.
• Contributing to planning and project management within the team, including as it relates to wider agency policies and objectives.
• Leading/contributing to administrative processes including procurement and organising meetings and workshops.
• Liaising with and work in collaboration with other teams within and external to our division, and with other departments, the Clean Energy Regulator and external stakeholders.
• Supervising and developing other staff

About our ideal candidates
We welcome interest from people with the ability to develop collaborative relationships and have knowledge and/or experience in:
• environmental, ecological or land management science
• developing policy advice or legislative instruments
• managing complex programs or workstreams
• procurement and managing contracts

We are also interested in hearing from candidates with knowledge and experience in:
• working with First Nations communities and organisations
• climate and/or environmental policy
• economics
• sustainable finance
• data analysis, integration and management - particularly spatial data

What we are looking for
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:
Our ideal applicant for the APS5 Policy Officer roles will demonstrate the following skills and capabilities:
• Effectively build and sustain positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Be able to work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues in a team environment.
• Have sound communication skills, including an ability to draw on information from diverse sources and express complex concepts, ideas and arguments in writing.
• Have sound research and analytical skills.
• Have strong organisational skills, and ability to work within tight deadlines.
• Be able to apply good judgement and initiative to solve moderately complex problems

Our ideal applicant for the APS6 Senior Policy Officer roles will demonstrate the following skills and capabilities:
• Be able to leverage effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
• Ability to distil complex policy, scientific and other technical information into clear, articulate written products
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a team and contribute to development of team objectives and strategic planning.
• Well-developed communication skills, including the abilities to effectively negotiate and analyse information from a variety of sources to provide strategic advice.
• Have strong research and analytical skills and the ability to articulate complex concepts, ideas and arguments in writing to a range of audiences.
• Be a motivated self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently through tasks ranging in complexity to achieve quality results.
• Ability to deliver high quality outputs within tight timeframes and with competing demands.

Our ideal applicant for the EL1 Assistant Director roles will demonstrate the following skills and capabilities:
• Experience in developing strategic advice on policy, program or regulatory issues in a government agency.
• The ability to lead a high performing and inclusive team.
• An ability to develop, maintain and leverage productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• High-level communication skills, including the ability to negotiate outcomes and deliver high quality written advice on complex and sensitive issues to diverse audiences.
• The ability to exercise judgement, operate independently and manage competing priorities in a changing environment.
• Highly developed research and analysis skills backed by a desire to generate new ideas, approaches and strategies that align with the department’s objectives.

Some roles may have a strong involvement in issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The successful applicants for these roles must demonstrate an awareness of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People and an ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People.

Desirable qualifications
• Qualifications in any of the following would be an advantage: public policy, science, law, economics, project management, natural resource management, environmental or biological science, information technology or a related field.

Eligibility and other requirements
Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.

Security Clearance - this position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period.

For additional information, please read the Job Description below.

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