Join the ACF Fellowship 2020 winter cohort

The ACF Fellowship program is a structured learning and volunteering opportunity for grassroots leaders and emerging campaigners. The purpose of the ACF Fellowship program is to:

• Help support ACF’s growing movement of local groups in their efforts to build people power, change the story and advocate for our living world.
• Support the development of up-and-coming campaigners, organisers and communicators.

The ACF Fellowship program offers a range of roles across three streams: Community Organising, Advocacy & Campaigns, and Narrative & Communications. Each volunteer placement will be a part of a team of highly-engaged volunteers that will help us harness the energy of ACF supporters taking action in their communities.

Through the ACF Fellowship, you’ll be part of a supportive workplace where you'll be:

• Participating in a comprehensive induction program on all aspects of ACF and social change theory.
• Learning from experienced campaigners, community organisers, media and communications experts.
• Developing and applying your skills in a volunteer placement.
• Receiving coaching and support from your supervisor, with clear direction and timelines about your responsibilities. 
• Reflecting regularly on your practise with other fellows in your cohort.  
• Getting regular training on topics like the history of the environment movement in Australia, activist self-care, and cutting edge practise in campaigning, organising and communication.
• Being a part of a movement of people who show up, speak out and act to stop pollution and destruction so our living world can thrive.

What about training? 

Through the ACF Fellowship, you will have the opportunity to attend regular training delivered by experienced campaigners, community organisers, activists, advocates and non-profit professionals. Some topics you might explore include:

• An understanding of ACF: our history, organisational structure, mission and theory of change
• How to create and tell your story of self
• Approaches to social change and the importance of systemic change
• Leadership skills and leadership in teams
• Facilitation techniques
• Australian democracy and Parliament
• A history of the environment movement
• Decolonising the environment movement and building inclusive movements (exploring race, gender, class, ability and more)
• Campaign planning, and data and evidence-based campaigning
• Working in advocacy
• Sustainable activism and self-care
• Work preferences, and project and workload management skills

You will receive ongoing training throughout the entire Fellowship, as well as training within your role.

The commitment is for two days per week from July to December 2020, kicking off with a group induction, from 3 - 6 July, 2020. There are six roles available in our Melbourne office, one role available in our Brisbane office, and one role in our Sydney office.

Interested?

Placements to the program in any stream will be considered for candidates who demonstrate:

• Passion for our living world and addressing climate change
• Paid or volunteer experience in social change
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organisational skills
• Approachable and friendly nature
• An ability to work independently and efficiently
• Familiarity with technology and the ability to quickly learn new programs
• A commitment to the values and mission of ACF.

Each candidate's preferred role and unique skills will also be considered by the selection panel when allocating candidates to specific roles.

The Fellowship is suited to driven, passionate and committed people who reflect the diversity of backgrounds and experiences in our communities. If that’s you, but you’re worried you don’t have all the skills outlined in the position descriptions, please apply anyway!

Community Organising stream

We have three roles available in the Community Organising stream:

Placements to the Community Organising stream will be offered to candidates who demonstrate the general criteria above, as well as:

• Willingness to build and lead a team of volunteers
• Public speaking and facilitation skills.

Advocacy & Campaigns stream

We have two roles available in the Advocacy & Campaigns stream:

Placements to the Advocacy & Campaigns stream will be offered to candidates who demonstrate the general criteria above, as well as:

• An interest and familiarity with politics
• A flexibility to adjust priorities to the changing demands of a campaign. 

Narrative & Communications stream

We have three roles available in the Narrative & Communications stream:

Placements to the Narrative & Communications stream will be offered to candidates who demonstrate the general criteria above, as well as:

• A passion for storytelling and the power of stories to create change in the world
• Strong writing skills
• Desirable: familiarity with news media and social media.

In light of COVID-19, processes have been put into place to ensure the Fellowship can be delivered remotely until the crisis subsides. Successful applicants will be provided with the technology required to undertake the Fellowship from their homes, and induction into the Fellowship will occur virtually. In order to maintain connection with the organisation and the other Fellows, regular video calls (for both work and social purposes) will be ongoing. We of course hope for a day soon where we can set you up in our offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. 

Applications are open now! Each applicant will apply to their preferred stream, and will then be considered for all roles within that stream. Applications to the ACF Fellowship close at 5pm on Friday 22 May. Late applications will not be accepted.

APPLY NOW

ACF acknowledges the structural barriers that make gaining experience in any field of work more difficult for many communities in Australia. We highly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQA+ people and others who may face structural barriers in our society to apply for this opportunity. If you have questions or concerns about the roles, please don't hesitate to contact Beth Koch at volunteer@acf.org.au.

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