BirdLife Australia - Research and Conservation Committee
Position Description
BirdLife Australia is a national non-profit organisation with a mission to improve the status
and outlook for Australian birds and the places we share with them. The organisation was
created in 2012 from the merger of Birds Australia (BA) and Bird Observation & Conservation
Australia (BOCA).
The Research and Conservation Committee (RACC) is an operational committee of BirdLife
Australia. It functions in an advisory capacity to research and conservation staff, and reports
directly to the CEO. The primary role of Research and Conservation Committee is to advise
the organisation via the CEO and the Heads of Research and Conservation, on scientific and
conservation matters, particularly those relating to research (and its publication) and to bird
conservation objectives and strategic directions.
As a skills-based committee, the RACC should be made up of a balance of stakeholders, with
consideration of their abilities and representativeness.
As per the Committee’s Terms of Reference, these considerations include:
•
scientific, ornithological and conservation knowledge;
•
continuity of committee membership (retention of corporate knowledge);
•
awareness of general membership views and organisational needs (particularly regarding
conservation and scientific matters);
•
amateur, professional, gender and geographical representation.
Core competencies of the Committee should also collectively include:
•
Knowledge of Australia’s bird biodiversity and/or major conservation issues
•
Knowledge of the legislative environment relevant to biodiversity conservation and
advocacy
•
Experience in academic research and knowledge of the current research environment as it
relates to, for example, ornithology, conservation, conservation biology
•
Networks in science, research, conservation or advocacy that will enable the provision of
expert external advice
•
Experience in media, social networking, issues campaigning, communications or political
engagement
RACC members are expected to attend two face-to-face meetings (in Melbourne) and two
teleconference meetings per year, with some work also expected offline and outside of these
commitments, including participation in RACC subcommittees. Service on the Committee is
without remuneration, except for travel and accommodation costs in relation to the
Committee members’ duties. Committee members shall ordinarily serve three year terms.
For more information, please contact Dr Martine Maron, Chair and BirdLife Australia Director.