Senior Specialist - Humanitarian Diplomacy (Heat)

• Permanent contract – funding for 3 years
• Melbourne, Sydney or Canberra location
• Hybrid working – 2 days in office/ 3 days from home

About Red Cross

Australian Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian movement. We support and empower people and communities in times of vulnerability. We act for humanity.

About the role

Extreme heat is Australia's deadliest climate-related hazard and its impacts are growing. Australian Red Cross is leading a bold new initiative to help communities adapt, influence policy reform and strengthen resilience across the country.

As Senior Specialist – Humanitarian Diplomacy (Heat), you will lead our national engagement and influence agenda on extreme heat, working with governments, researchers, community organisations and private sector partners to drive lasting systems change.

Drawing on evidence, lived experience and strategic partnerships, you will help ensure the impacts of extreme heat on vulnerable communities are understood and acted upon by decision-makers.

Sitting within the Humanitarian Diplomacy and Policy Team and as a key part of the Urban Climate Resilience Program, the role works in partnership with Zurich Australia and aligned to the Z Zurich Foundation's vision to strengthen community resilience and support long-term approaches to urban climate risks.

Day to day you will

• Lead the co-development and implementation of the Humanitarian Diplomacy and Policy Heat Engagement Strategy, ensuring alignment with the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the Z Zurich Foundation’s engagement approach for the climate adaptation pillar.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders on developing a strategic partnership framework that mobilises government agencies, community organisations, research institutions, and private sector partners around shared heat-resilience and policy-reform priorities.
• Build and convene cross-agency coalitions (spanning government, research, and non-government organisations), alongside the Urban Climate Resilience Program team - a multi-partner initiative focused on strengthening community resilience to extreme heat and climate-related risks
• Develop lived-experience narratives and practical recommendations that make the human cost of extreme heat compelling and credible to decision-makers.

What you will bring

• Comprehensive technical knowledge of Australian climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, or public health policy landscape, ideally including NSW and Victorian Government structures.
• Sound political knowledge and understanding to identify reform opportunities, understand decision-making dynamics, and know when and how to act – in government budget cycles, policy reviews, inquiries, and electoral windows.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute multi-stakeholder engagement or policy-influence strategies that have achieved systems-level outcomes.
• Strong analytical and written communication skills producing government submissions, policy briefs, and evidence, as well as translating evidence into compelling narratives.
• An understanding of the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, and their application when working with all stakeholders would be advantageous.

Benefits that act for you, while you act for humanity

Work flexibility: Australian Red Cross operates under a hybrid working model which includes two days on-site and three days from home proving you more work/life balance

Financial wellbeing: In addition to your salary, you can take advantage of salary packaging that could provide you with a great way to reduce the amount of tax you pay - and get more from your salary. You can salary package up to $15,900 for living expenses (such as rent, groceries, utility bills); up to $2,650 for holiday accommodation and meals when dining out; Novated car leases; superannuation and purchase additional annual leave.

Life, Health & Wellbeing: You can access a paid ‘Me’ day just for you and a wide range of other paid leave options. You can also tap into specialist health and wellbeing advice via our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, Converge International.

Career development: Access to ongoing learning, training, and development.

Further information

This role is covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award - Level 6.

For additional enquiries, please contact Blain Berhanu at [email protected] for a confidential discussion. Please note, email is for enquiries only. Applications must be received online to be considered.

Applications close: Monday 22^nd June – we encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applications as they are received

While we appreciate the interest in our organisation, we will not be engaging with agencies or agency candidates for this position.