Australian Youth Ambassador for Development Pacific placements
Project Survival Pacific
Australian Youth working with the Pacific
EDO NSW, in partnership with the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development program (AYAD), invites applications from young Australians (aged 18-30) interested in working on climate change in Pacific Island nations. Ambassadors will be placed in various Pacific nations, such as the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga. The role involves supporting the local community on tasks including:
Providing support to the local government department responsible for international climate negotiations
Working with local Pacific island youth to raise awareness about climate change
Strengthening local networks to empower communities to participate in climate change discussions and decisions
An Aussie Base Team will also be formed, the members of which will remain in Australia, but will play a vital support role in the lead up to the Copenhagen Conference of the Parties.
Placement Descriptions All placements listed are located in the Solomon Islands, since this is where Host organisations have been finalised. We are continuing discussions with potential host organisations in other countries to arrange additional roles with similar organisations. If you are interested in one of these roles in a different country, apply for the equivalent Solomon Islands role and indicate you are willing to be considered for other countries.
We encourage you to submit applications for as many of these roles as you like. International Climate Change Policy Officer Location: Solomon Islands Host: Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Meteorology Description: Work with the staff responsible for international climate change negotiations to prepare for the COP15 meeting. Stakeholder consultation, policy research, networking.
Climate Change Policy Development Officer Location: Solomon Islands Host: Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Meteorology Description: Work with the staff responsible for international climate change negotiations to review and revise national policies in light of international climate negotiations, and climate change impacts. Research, policy drafting.
Climate Change Youth Awareness Officer Location: Solomon Islands Host: Solomon Islands Red Cross Description: Work with the local youth to facilitate the formation of a self sustaining, self governing Youth Climate Initiative. Assist with the formation of fair governance structures, leadership roles and responsibilities, and ongoing projects. Empower youth in the community to take action on climate change by raising awareness in the community. Facilitate formation of partnerships with Australian Youth Climate Coalition. This has been identified as a priority focus area by the Solomon Islands Minister responsible for Climate Change, and the local youth are extremely excited about the project. Climate Change Awareness Module Development Officer Location: Solomon Islands Host: Live and Learn Environmental Education Description: Develop a climate change learning module, appropriate for raising awareness about climate change in the most vulnerable remote communities in the Solomon Islands. The module will offer practical strategies for increasing resilience to climate change, and will be culturally specific. This assignment will likely involve several trips to remote parts of the Solomon Islands. This has been identified as a priority focus area by the Solomon Islands Minister responsible for Climate Change. Climate Change and Women Officer Location: Solomon Islands Host: Honiara City Council, Division for Youth, Women and Sports Description: Work with the local youth to facilitate the formation of a self sustaining, self governing Youth Climate Initiative, particularly focusing on encouraging the involvement of young women. Assist with the formation of fair governance structures, leadership roles and responsibilities, and ongoing projects. Empower youth in the community to take action on climate change by raising awareness in the community. This has been identified as a priority focus area by the Solomon Islands Minister responsible for Climate Change, and the local youth are extremely excited about the project. Attendance at Copenhagen Conference of the Parties
All Ambassadors are invited to attend the Copenhagen Conference of the Parties (COP) in December 2009, as a part of their role. Whilst at the COP, the objective of the Ambassadors is to continue to support the engagement of people from their host country in the proceedings.
• Those in policy roles will continue to work to support their host government.
• Those in youth support roles will facilitate the full participation of Pacific Island youth in the activities at the COP, in addition to any other support roles that may arise.
Ambassadors are expected to raise funds to cover the cost of their travel to Copenhagen , in addition to raising funds for the attendance of at least one Pacific Island youth per Ambassador. Travel expenses are expected to be around $7,000 per person.
Application Process
Applications for Ambassador Roles
Application forms are available through the AYAD website and can be downloaded from this site:
These positions are for Intake 25 of the AYAD program, but are not advertised on the AYAD website. This is because EDO NSW is nominating candidates.
Applications are to b e sent by email to by Tuesday 10 February 2009. We apologise for the short deadline. Consider it your first challenge of working in a partnership with people living on "Island Time".
You will need to include in your application:
Application cover sheet
Attachment 1 - Your CV (use provided template)
Attachment 2 - Your Statement against the Selection Criteria
Attachment 3 - Contact details for three referees (referee report not required for initial selection process).
Attachments 4, 5, 6 and 7, referee report and multiple hard copies are not necessary for the initial selection process. Interviews will be conducted (in Sydney or by telephone) in the week beginning 16 February. Successful candidates will be required to complete all attachments (with referee report) and mail their full applications to AYAD by 27 February.
To support the work of the Ambassadors, an Aussie Base Team will be selected to form a part of the Project Survival Pacific team, consisting of one counterpart per Ambassador. The people in this team will remain in Australia and will work with each other and the Ambassadors in a long-distance support role.
The Aussie Base Team will play a critical role in ensuring success of Project Survival Pacific through tasks such as:
Policy research and development support for Pacific Island government staff
Assistance with the formation of the Pacific Island Youth Initiative
Initiatives to raise awareness of Pacific Island issues concerning climate change in Australia
Representing the Project Survival Pacific team at networking events
Consulting with relevant Australian based organizations and stakeholders
