Research and Policy Officer, Future Earth Australia

Future Earth Australia, a project of The Australian Academy of Science, is seeking a motivated and experienced research officer to contribute to the next phase of Future Earth Australia.

The Academy is an independent, not-for-profit organisation established by Royal Charter in 1954 with an elected Fellowship of over 530 leading Australian scientists.  The Academy celebrates and supports excellence in Australian science, promotes international scientific engagement, builds public awareness and understanding of science and provides independent, authoritative and influential scientific advice.

Future Earth is an international research platform providing the knowledge and support to accelerate our transformation to a sustainable world.  It has subsumed three existing international research organisations addressing global change: IGBP, IHDP, and Diversitas, and is supported by a fourth, WCRP.  Over 10,000 scientists are working on Future Earth projects with increasing involvement from other fields of knowledge, especially the humanities, arts and traditional knowledge.  A key aim of Future Earth is to achieve greater integration of these diverse forms of knowledge to address the most challenging problems facing humanity—securing a decent quality of life for all while maintaining the natural systems of the planet in good order for future generations.

Position information

Conditions

Appointment will be part time at 0.8FTE (4 days per week / 7.5 hours per day) on a 12 month fixed term contract basis (possibility of extension based on performance, funding and workload).

The full time salary package to be offered, depending on experience and qualifications, within an Academy classification is:

In addition to the 9.5% Superannuation Guarantee, the Academy pays an additional 7.5% contribution to superannuation (for a total of 17%).  Alternatively, employees may choose to take the additional 7.5% as base salary. Conditions include flexible working hours, an employee assistance program, options to salary sacrifice, annual leave loading and paid Christmas holiday stand down.

Location

Australian Academy of Science, Ian Potter House, 9 Gordon Street, Acton, Canberra.

Application information

Applications for the position must include a cover letter, resume and statement of claims against each of the Selection Criteria.

Applications for the position must include a cover letter, a resume and a statement of claims against the selection criteria. Applications should be forwarded by email to: hr@science.org.au

Applications close at 5.00pm AEST on Friday, 11 January 2019.

Further information on the position is available from:

Tayanah O’Donnell – Director Future Earth Australia
Email: Tayanah.Odonnell@science.org.au

Position details

Position title: Research and Policy Officer, Future Earth Australia
Department: Science Policy
Responsible to: Director Future Earth Australia
Responsible for: Nil
Hours: 0.8FTE, 7.5 hours per day
Tenure: 12 month fixed term contract (possibility of extension based on performance, funding and workload).
Classification: Academy Classification 5(1)-5(4)
Date reviewed: 30/11/2018

Position description

Future Earth Australia, a project of The Australian Academy of Science, is seeking a motivated and experienced research officer to contribute to the next phase of Future Earth Australia.  Applicants who have worked in academia or government in early to mid-career research positions are encouraged to apply.  The role occasionally requires work outside of core hours and some domestic and international travel.

Selection criteria

Essential:

1. A relevant tertiary qualification.
2. Demonstrated experience in developing positive stakeholder relationships, especially with the scientific and academic community.
3. Demonstrated experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection, management and synthesis.
4. A successful track record of autonomous project management including internal and external stakeholder engagement.
5. An ability to work across the sciences’, social sciences’, and humanities’ disciplines with ease.
6. A demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure and to meet short and long term deadlines.
7. An exceptional and proven ability to positively contribute to a small team environment.
8. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including editorial skills.
9. Excellent critical and creative thinking, and analytical skills.

Desirable:

1. A PhD in sustainability related field.
2. An ability to assist in attracting funding from multiple sources.
3. A demonstrated ability to develop and contribute to policy and advocacy strategies.

Duties and responsibilities

• Assisting the Director of Future Earth Australia in planning, organising and delivering major projects and activities to advance sustainability research and action in Australia and internationally.
• Responsibility for the delivery of key programs of Future Earth Australia under guidance of the Director.
• Responsibility for data collection, management and synthesis.
• Program administration and oversight of operating procedures.
• Assisting in maintaining and extending productive relationships with stakeholders in government, industry, the community sector and industry.

The Australian Academy of Science is an equal opportunity employer.  Candidate applications from a range of diverse and inclusive groups of the community including applicants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent are encouraged to apply.