Overview

Humane Society International (HSI) is the largest international charity working for a more humane and sustainable world for animals. We are leaders in the movements to save threatened species and their habitats. In Australia our Wildlife Land Trust connects more than 500 sanctuaries protecting in excess of 60,000 hectares of wildlife habitat. Our scientific nomination program has seen over 70 threatened species and millions of hectares of wildlife habitat protected under Australian law. We continually advocate for improvements to those laws and for their effective enforcement. We also champion protection for imperilled wildlife at a global level through international treaties. When necessary HSI will stand up for animals in court. HSI has a priority campaign to protect sharks.

Role description

Threatened species nominations are a key strategy in HSI’s priority campaign for shark protection. This role will research and write scientific nominations for species of shark and ray to receive Threatened Species protection under federal, state and territory environment and fisheries legislation. You will also research and write nominations for eligible Key Threatening Processes impacting threatened shark species. You may also be required to prepare draft species nominations for sharks and rays to international treaties such as the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and the UN Convention on Migratory Species.

Nominations will need to meet the criteria for listing as protected species that are specified in the particular law or treaty being submitted to. As an example the criteria for listing threatened species on the schedules to the Australian Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act can be found at: https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/nominations/forms-and-guidelines.

With agreement from the HSI Marine Campaigner you will identify candidate species likely to be eligible for the threatened species listings for which you will research and prepare nominations. With the Marine Campaigner and Head of Campaigns you will agree a schedule for these nominations to be provided to HSI.

Nominations will be provided to HSI in the precise format required for HSI to submit them to the relevant authority and will demonstrate how all the necessary criteria for listing on that particular law or treaty are met.

If research into a candidate species identifies insufficient data to meet criteria for listing you will submit to HSI the information that is available for each criteria that can be built on in the future.  By agreement with HSI you may be asked to submit information to HSI that is relevant to shark and ray threatened species protection in a format different to nominations.

Deliverables:

Nominations for shark and ray species to be listed as threatened and protected, and their threats listed a Key Threatening Processes, will be provided to HSI according to an agreed schedule. The nominations will be provided in a format suitable for HSI to submit to the relevant authorities they have been drafted for. In addition to preparing the nominations, there may be agreement to prepare some information relating to shark species in other formats such as a report.

Position details

This is a contract position which can be based remote to HSI’s office. The contract will be paid per the deliverables according to the schedule agreed with HSI. The contract will be completed by 1 April 2019 and will be capped at $55,000. There may be a possibility to repeat the contract for one or two subsequent years.  This will be dependent on performance and external funding.

The position will liaise closely with the HSI Marine Campaigner and will report to the HSI Head of Campaigns for Australia. Occasional travel eg to HSI office in Avalon, NSW may be required.

Position requirements:

A marine science, ecology or fisheries biology degree is required for this role. A post graduate degree is highly desirable. You will need sound academic writing skills.

Knowledge of federal and state environment and fisheries law and marine policies will be an advantage.

How to apply:

Please send a cover letter and resume to Caroline Pattison caroline@hsi.org.au. To discuss the role please contact Nicola Beynon Head of Campaigns at nicola@hsi.org.au or 02 9973 1728. Deadline for applications 16th May 2018.