We’re hiring – Community Organiser

Community Organiser

Farmers for Climate Action has grown rapidly since its establishment in 2016, but so has the challenge ahead of us. We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced community organiser to lead the roll out of our ambitious organising strategy across the country so that we can grow the size and strength of our farmer networks and amplify our voice in our communities, the media and the halls of Parliament.

Reporting to the Campaigns Director, this role would suit someone who understands agriculture and community organising, enjoys talking to farmers and is committed to climate action.

The role involves:

1. Rolling out our organising strategy across the country, including the appointment and co-ordination of regional point people in strategically chosen locations to support grassroots activity within communities.
2. Growing our farmer numbers, by developing and delivering initiatives to recruit new farmers, and overseeing day-to-day farmer outreach
3. Growing farmer skills and profiles, through the coordination and facilitation of educational workshops, webinars etc, as well as farmer case studies for our website, media etc
4. Contributing to organisational strategy through the delivery of farmer driven insights to the Campaign Director and other key FCA personnel to help inform and drive campaign and engagement strategies

Key skills – About you

Relationship building

You’re a ‘people person’ with experience building and managing multiple relationships with a lot of people. This includes over the phone and email, because face-to-face isn’t always possible when our work spans across the country (and there’s a global pandemic!). You’re able to coach and support volunteers to do hard things, because they know you genuinely care about them and will help them succeed.

Resilience

Climate change can be a contentious issue in some farming communities. You are resilient enough to accept a ‘no’ response without taking it personally, and move onto the next farmer on the list to call.

Persuasiveness

You have the confidence to ‘make the ask’ of farmers for their support and time and encouraging them to reach beyond their comfort zone.

Outstanding team player

You’ve had experience working in small teams where your work is closely connected to others’ work. This is not the kind of role where you go off on your own with a to-do list and check in once a week. Rather, your work is closely tied into the core business of Farmers for Climate Action. You need to love working with others, in fact you thrive on it, including using online collaboration tools to communicate throughout the day. We are all about partnering with each other to get the work done. Shared mindsets and common objectives are critical to our success.

Organised and efficient

You’re a no-stuffing-around, get-things-done kind of person. When you say you’ll do something by a certain date, you get it done – even if it means overcoming obstacles. You’ve had experience in a role where there are lots of moving parts to keep track of, like organising stalls or events with volunteers and you successfully balance multiple tasks at a time. You have the ability to break down objectives into smaller tasks, initiatives and actions in order to get things done.

Key requirements

What you bring to the role:

Essential

• Some experience with or connection to agriculture (e.g. grew up on a farm, have worked in the sector or have worked with farmers). Please don’t apply if you don’t have any farming connections.
• Passion for action on climate change
• Familiarity or experience with community organising
• Ability to work remotely and pick up the online systems we use (Slack, Google Drive, Asana etc)
• Previous experience community organising, or experience recruiting and managing volunteers
• A drivers licence and the ability to travel at least 2 days/ 1 night per month (post-pandemic)

Desirable

• Knowledge of Nationbuilder (our constituent relationship management software)
• Experience facilitating participatory meetings or trainings
• Existing relationships within the agricultural sector (not essential, but would be beneficial)

Work arrangements

This is intended to be a full-time position, however a 4 day a week arrangement may be considered for the right applicant. Our team works remotely, but our preference is to find someone in Victoria, NSW or Canberra. The initial contract period is 1 year with high likelihood of extension.

What’s on offer

In exchange for your hard work, we have the following on offer:

• Remuneration of approximately $80,000 plus superannuation, negotiable depending on experience and location.
• Regular mentoring, career development and excellent learning and development opportunities both internally and externally
• Programs for which support positive work/life balance and family-friendly flexible working arrangements

How to Apply

To apply, please email us:

1.         A CV of no more than 3 pages and
2.         A cover letter addressing why you’re a good fit for the role, including the key skills and requirements listed in this job ad.

Address it to Wendy Cohen (our CEO) and send it to [email protected] using the subject line: Community Organiser before 5pm on 31 August. We encourage you to get your application in as soon as possible.