ROYAL FOREST and BIRD PROTECTION SOCIETY OF NZ Inc.
Position Description
Position Title:
Conservation Advocate; climate change / terrestrial
Position Location:
National Office, Wellington
Business Group:
Campaigns & Advocacy
The Society and its objectives.
Forest and Bird is a membership-based national conservation organisation. It has been New
Zealand’s leading conservation organisation since 1923. Its unique point of difference with
other conservation groups in New Zealand is that it has a community-based branch structure
while having a regional and national overview and presence. The Society is also the BirdLife
International Partner in New Zealand.
The Mission of the Society is to:
“Preserve and protect the indigenous flora and fauna and natural features of Aotearoa New
Zealand, including land and water habitats”
Its strategic focus is to `be the voice of nature’
The Society is a key advocate for nature conservation, both on land and in the marine
environment. It is often the only organisation speaking out for our endangered plants, and
natural places that do not otherwise have a voice of their own. At a national level it does this
through advocacy to Government and within the wider community, through its
communications and the promotion of specific project and campaigns. Forest and Bird
branches are active in their own communities in resource planning and a wide range of local
and regional conservation and restoration projects. Its Kiwi Conservation Club (KCC)
connects children and their parents with nature conservation.
The Society is self-funded through its members and its supporters. Therefore promotion of
the Society, its work and successes, is key to its ongoing effectiveness as an organisation
with a strong membership and financial base.
Responsible to:
Group Manager Campaigns & Advocacy
Key Relationships:
Internal
 Other Conservation Advocates
 Regional Conservation & Volunteer
Managers
 Chief Executive / Kaiwhakahaere Matua
 Group Managers and General Counsel
 Forest & Bird staff based at National
Office in Wellington
 Other Forest & Bird staff throughout the
country
 Forest & Bird branches and members
August 2014
External
 Conservation sector opinion leaders and
specialists
 Ministers, MPs and political candidates
 Officials of Government Agencies,
Departments and Ministries
 Other local, national and international
conservation, advocacy and partnered
organisations, advocates and lobbyists
 Organisations representing agriculture,
fisheries, fossil fuel, mining and other
resource users
 Organisations representing sustainable
business interests
 Media
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Objectives of the Position
The role of the Conservation Advocate (Climate Change/Terrestrial) is to make a key
contribution to leading Forest and Bird’s advocacy and campaign work focusing on climate
change and terrestrial biodiversity protection.
Key Responsibilities
Advocacy
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Policy Analysis and
Advice
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Projects/campaigns
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Lead Forest & Bird’s national advocacy on climate change
and terrestrial biodiversity issues
Advocate the interests and conservation positions of the
Society and its members with politicians and their staff,
officials, opinion leaders and with associated organisations or
agencies
Prepare material supporting climate change and terrestrial
biodiversity advocacy and the Society’s positions and policies
for inclusion in campaign publications, the Forest and Bird
Magazine and other internal and external communication
organs
Liaise with and support other staff assigned responsibility for
specific national advocacy issues
Prepare and, where appropriate, present submissions on
behalf of the Society, and assist other staff and branches
prepare submissions on behalf of the Society
Represent the Society on technical working parties and other
officials’ and/or sector/NGO groups
Policy analysis of current conservation issues, in particular
relating to climate change and terrestrial biodiversity, and
Government proposals for legislation or policy and provide
advice to the Society’s managers, other staff and
membership on conservation issues campaigns and priorities
Develop Society policy and provide policy advice to branches
and regional staff
Lead and participate in project/campaign teams established
to undertake integrated conservation projects and the priority
work of the Society
Other work and responsibilities delegated or assigned from
time to time by the Group Manager Campaigns & Advocacy
Decision Making/Delegations
Manage the expenditure for assigned projects/campaigns within the limits of delegations
assigned from time to time by the Group Manager Campaigns & Advocacy.
August 2014
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Key Accountabilities
 To meet performance criteria set by the Group Manager Campaigns & Advocacy at
the start of each reporting year.
 To complete assigned projects or tasks on time, within budget and in accord with any
delegations given or limitations enunciated by Society Policy, Chief Executive or the
Group Manager Campaigns & Advocacy.
 To represent and present the Society in a positive manner which maintains its
reputation and relationships with significant opinion leaders and organisations.
Performance Criteria
An individual Development Plan will be developed that reflects the contribution this position
is expected to make towards achieving the Society’s conservation objectives and measures.
The Development Plan will contain objectives that are consistent with the Key
Responsibilities in this Position Description.
Key Competencies and Position Requirements
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Broad knowledge of conservation and associated issues with an interest in climate
change and terrestrial biodiversity protection.
A relevant tertiary qualification or related experience.
Good political awareness and judgment.
Campaign and lobbying experience
Flexibility to manage broad ranging projects and also participate effectively as a project
team member.
Ability to work as part of, contribute to and lead multi-disciplinary teams.
Positive interpersonal skills and the ability to work with colleagues and relate to people at
all levels and all backgrounds in the community.
Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
Experience of dealing with the media
Analytical skills.
Personal organisation and self-discipline.
Experience in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and other common office software.
Ability to work as part of, contribute to and lead multi-disciplinary teams.
Loyalty to the Society, Chief Executive and LeadershipTeam.
February 2015
August 2014
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