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 partners, 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

Our Australian programs are at the forefront of driving the shift from fossil fuels to clean energy. We work with a broad range of partners – from grassroots organisations and First Nations communities to policymakers, researchers, and legal experts – to catalyse systemic change that protects people and the planet.

The Senior Lawyer is a key leadership role that uses legal and regulatory tools to help protect communities, land, and water, and to reduce climate pollution. You'll develop and lead a legal strategy to strengthen environmental governance and ensure that fossil fuel projects meet – and are held accountable to – existing environmental, planning, and administrative laws.

You'll create and coordinate legal advice and work in deep collaboration with Sunrise teams on phasing out fossil fuels, and scaling the transition to renewable energy. This role is about upholding the public interest, supporting environmental protection, and ensuring Australia meets its climate obligations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, lead, and evaluate legal strategies that protect land, water, communities, and climate including to ensure fossil fuel projects comply with existing laws;
• Coordinate legal interventions with Sunrise Project program teams, and support and build the capacity of these teams to engage with legal and regulatory systems;
• Track legal and regulatory developments and assess strategic opportunities for impact;
• Strengthen connections across the legal sector through a community of practice on climate law;
• Align legal work with broader campaign and program goals;
• Represent Sunrise in key legal, climate, and philanthropic spaces;
• Oversee legal budgets and support inclusive, equity-driven grant making;
• Provide clear reporting to support governance, fundraising, and strategic planning;
• As part of our leadership team, actively contribute to the overall strategic direction and culture of The Sunrise Project.

Required skills, knowledge and experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Law, with qualification and admission to practise in Australia;
• Significant legal experience, ideally relating to environmental, administrative, planning or corporate law;
• Strategic thinking and ability to locate legal interventions into a wider context;
• Excellent relationship-building skills and strong networks in the Australian legal, environmental, or social movement sectors;
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively with non-lawyers and diverse stakeholders;
• Strong project management and team leadership capabilities;
• Understanding of the political and economic context surrounding fossil fuel development;
• Knowledge of emerging trends in climate litigation and regulatory approaches;
• A demonstrated passion for climate justice and commitment to using legal tools for positive change.

Job requirements

• You must have full working rights for Australia. The Sunrise Project is unable to sponsor applicants for employment visas.
• Legal qualifications required (admitted to practice law in an Australian jurisdiction).
• Employment background checks are required.
• Intermittent travel domestically, rurally and internationally with advanced notice may be required.
• COVID-19 vaccinations may apply in accordance with local legislation and/or Sunrise policy

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: Macbook & accessories, 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.