Community Engagement Manager

Description:

RE-Alliance (REA) is an independent not-for-profit working to deliver a renewable energy transformation in Australia filled with sustainable, long-term benefits for regional communities. We do this by listening to the needs and concerns of impacted local communities, facilitating collaboration across the industry to achieve social good and advocating for improved regional outcomes at a policy level

We place regional renewal at the centre of the clean power transformation. The transition to renewable energy can give regional Australian families certainty that there will be jobs and prosperity in their local communities for decades to come. Now is the time to leverage the renewables boom into the best possible outcomes for farmers, landholders and locals. For wind, solar, transmission and storage companies, we are their experts on how to build trust with the communities they work in and make a meaningful difference. To Governments, we are advocates for policy settings that leverage the energy transformation to become a vehicle for regional renewal across Australia. We have a small and growing team of staff, spread out across regional Australia, dedicated to a just and timely energy transition to achieve significant emissions reduction this decade.

The role

This role is a one-year contract at 1.0 FTE, with extension subject to funding availability. Part time options will be available for the right applicant. The role is prioritised for regional Tasmania, preferably in one of the regions of significant renewables development—Northern or Central Tasmania . Applicants from other regions including Hobart will also be considered.

The focus of this position is working with regional communities and Councils to ensure they have a meaningful say in the design and rollout of renewable energy, with the ultimate goal of helping the transition to renewables benefit local regional economies and communities. The Community Engagement Manager will have the skills and experience to work effectively with a wide range of local stakeholders including local government representatives, local business chambers, energy developers, unions, social service organisations, Traditional Owners, farmers, journalists, environmental groups and others.

Using the strategic insight generated through community engagement the position will advocate, educate and organise to address local concerns, improve industry practices and deliver local benefits. The Community Engagement Manager will look for opportunities to make community expectations clear to renewable energy developers. In doing so, the position will draw on REA’s expertise on the renewable energy and transmission sectors and work closely with other REA staff.

• The Community Engagement Manager will report to the REA Advocacy Manager and work closely with the whole REA team, including providing input to program and project strategies, adapting and responding to changing circumstances to advance the goals of REA. The Community Engagement Manager will have a valid driving licence and access to a car to attend meetings and events as appropriate to the role. Some overnight travel and evening and weekend work will be required. Reimbursement for reasonable expenses will be provided subject to approval.
  
  The Community Engagement Manager will be responsible for:
• Building and maintaining productive relationships with a wide range of local community stakeholders in Renewable Energy Zones in order to build engagement and support, including identifying, recruiting, cultivating, building and retaining the trust of a wide range of different people with varying backgrounds, interests and approaches.
• Designing and delivering community consultation and engagement processes at different scales that will: articulate shared community concerns and interests; identify and support community leaders; and establish and build trust between stakeholders.
• Supporting and building the capacity of community stakeholders to self-organise and network, including facilitating local community leaders’ engagement with government and industry.
• Leading advocacy work alongside community leaders to governments and industry for improved community outcomes.
• Identifying opportunities to promote positive examples of how renewables can benefit regions in the media and at events.
• Maintaining a professional awareness of developments in the local area and using this to provide advice and analysis of emerging issues and opportunities.
• Contributing to the preparation of papers, reports and documentation to ensure strong community engagement and support community participation in renewable energy planning, policy development and advocacy.
• Building the success of the REA team through positive and flexible contributions to the organisation.