This is a senior role with a focus on policy and strategy. The primary purpose of this position is to work alongside the CEO to help the NRM sector achieve its strategic goals. The successful candidate will participate in critical policy forums, engage with priority stakeholders, identify opportunities for improved land and water management, produce impactful reports and position statements, and build our profile as a leader in delivering landscape scale, nature-based solutions.

Organisational Overview

NRM Regions Queensland (NRMRQ) is the peak body for natural resource management (NRM) in Queensland representing its members – the 12 regional NRM  organisations in Queensland.

The organisation was formed in 2022 to provide a single, strong voice for its members; and to ensure the strategic delivery of regional NRM outcomes at a statewide level – working in partnership with industry, community and government.

NRMRQ supports Queensland’s regional NRM organisations to deliver sustainability outcomes by communicating our collective impact on the ground, participating in policy development forums, identifying emerging challenges and opportunities, delivering mentoring and leadership programs, advocating for improved investment in natural resource management, and identifying areas for upskilling and innovation.

Organisational Environment

NRM Regions Queensland represents the state-wide interests of Queensland’s 12 regional NRM organisations, and answers to a Board comprising one director from each of our member organisations.

Reflecting the diversity of the state, regional NRM organisations in Queensland are unique in terms of corporate structure, stakeholder interests, and their planning and implementation of natural resource management activities.   

Across the state there are many issues that are best addressed in a coordinated manner.  NRMRQ provides a strategic approach and efficiencies in addressing challenges that are statewide or cross-regional. NRMRQ undertakes its role through:

• Formalising partnerships with all levels of government.
• Supporting, mentoring and advocating for regional NRM organisations to effectively achieve their goals.
• Leveraging and promoting investment, participation and commitment to natural resource management.
• Developing policies to support regional natural resource management strategies and initiatives.
• Speaking with one voice on state-wide natural resource management issues.
• Developing and maintaining partnerships with key organisations at regional, state and federal levels.
• Identifying and coordinating common priorities across all regions on a state-wide basis.
• Strategically measuring and communicating our impact

More information on NRMRQ is available via: https://www.nrmrq.org.au/ 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The Director – Strategy and Policy will work with our small, remote team to:

1. Support the CEO to inform and influence State and Federal Government agencies, and industry organisations to drive strategic NRM outcomes for Queensland.
2. Develop and maintain constructive working relationships and communication networks with key stakeholder organisations within local, state and federal governments, industry and community groups engaged in natural resource management.
3. Provide expert advice, recommendations and innovative solutions to natural resource management issues through influencing and driving policy reform, legislation, planning, and community participation initiatives.
4. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current resource management issues and challenges facing the community and Government.
5. Assist in the preparation of submissions and briefing papers on policy issues for which the organisation can provide advice to a range of stakeholders including local, state and federal governments.
6. Support NRMRQ to provide leadership through the provision of training and capacity building activities, information sharing and improved involvement and support for stakeholders including indigenous groups, industry associations and catchment groups.
7. Support NRMRQ Board processes ensuring strong governance and effective communication across the whole NRM sector.
8. Participate in a range of committees, forums and meetings on behalf of NRMRQ and the NRM sector

Position Requirements

Relevant qualifications or experience in environmental science, environmental management or natural resource management related disciplines is required. As this is a senior position, the successful candidate is likely to have at least 10 years experience working in the sector or in a policy development and high level engagement role. Experience using contemporary software, digital collaboration and AI tools and online platforms is also required. 

The successful applicant must have the legal right to work in Australia.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Understand policy and legislation – current knowledge and/or ability to rapidly acquire and synthesise knowledge of current national and state policies, initiatives, agreements, funding programs and legislation related to natural resource management.
2. Lead and facilitate complex issues – demonstrated ability to lead on statewide initiatives that address emerging opportunities as well as complex public policy issues associated with the delivery of community-based integrated natural resource management.
3. Engage diverse stakeholders – proven ability to build relationships and effectively engage with a range of stakeholders, including across the NRM sector, senior bureaucrats, industry leaders and community members.
4. Communicate with authority and influence – demonstrated ability to provide well-researched, evidence-based, authoritative and timely written and oral advice on natural resource management issues and initiatives and to communicate clearly with diverse audiences, particularly by speaking publicly and with influence in a range of forums
5. Work independently and collaboratively - experience working both independently and collaboratively as a member of a small and remote team, utilising exceptional planning and prioritisation skills to multi-task, coordinate projects with tight deadlines and work flexibly.

See the position description attached below for further information about this role.