The Company

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique icon and an irreplaceable ecosystem. It's the largest living thing on earth and home to thousands of species of marine life, including six of the world's seven species of marine turtle.

For over 20 years the Great Barrier Reef Foundation (GBRF) has been the lead charity for the Reef, driving the immediate change needed for the Reef to survive for future generations. Right now, we have over 200 Reef-saving projects with over 300 project delivery partners. We are the action station for the Reef, bringing together people and science to deliver the world's largest coral reefs program.

The Great Barrier Reef Foundation team is based primarily in Brisbane with team members also based in Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.

About The Role

The Great Barrier Reef Foundation is offering a new role within a newly created Blue Carbon program. The Blue Carbon Program commenced in early 2022 and will pilot and prove methods for restoration and enhanced resilience of blue carbon ecosystems leading to improved reef outcomes and climate mitigation. This role offers the opportunity to shape the on-ground implementation of the program.

The successful candidate will primarily be responsible for leading the overall operationalisation of the Blue Carbon Program, including responsibility for the day-to-day management of a range of projects. The role will also be responsible for development and tracking program M&E. The role will manage relationships with delivery partners, support the program governance, and identify opportunities for integration of projects and outcomes across the program and more broadly across GBRF projects. The role will also work collaboratively with the fundraising, marketing and communication teams to ensure that the outcomes of projects are effectively and accurately communicated to our stakeholders and funders.

The role will also provide key technical advice and support the GBRF team to identify and pursue opportunities to develop new partnerships, based on access to or leverage of non-traditional finance sources, such as carbon financing structures, to achieve reef conservation.

This role is suited to someone with a background in conservation or carbon finance, who thrives when working collaboratively across sectors, sites and stakeholders, and is experienced in complex program delivery. The role requires a strong ability to work with a range of partners and to work autonomously. 

Ideally, You Will Possess:

• 5-7 years' experience applying domain expertise to practical impact-driven implementation (e.g. through NGO, government, or corporate sector). Previous experience in carbon development, climate change, or environmental finance/policy and knowledge of carbon-related products and processes across carbon offsets and credits, methodologies and/or carbon markets is preferred.
• Proven experience in delivering a complex policy project or programme of work, including development of robust project plans which identify project risks and mitigation strategies, along with experience in contract management and negotiation, and well-developed skills in reporting and presenting.
• Proven experience working with stakeholders and building effective partnerships at regional, national and local levels, to support information exchange and collaboration across projects, including effectively engaging with diverse partners (such as industry, Traditional Owners, community, government) to support information exchange and progress the collaborative design and delivery of projects.
• Demonstrated high level written and verbal communications skills including the ability to synthesise multiple lines of information as well as share project activities and outcomes across partners and with funders and other audiences. 
• A degree in a technical discipline such as science, conservation or business management would be an asset
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and complex environment with rapidly changing responsibilities 
• A working knowledge of alternative finance trends and investment standards, innovative deal structures and investment vehicles, preferably in biodiversity conservation (REDD+, Payment for Ecosystem Services, impact bonds, etc.) is desirable but not essential

Work Type

• The role is full-time and is contracted to 30 June 2025 - flexible work arrangements are available.
• This role can be based in the Brisbane/Townsville/Cairns, or remotely from home by negotiation.
• First Nations people strongly encouraged to apply.
• See position description is attached below.