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Position Description
Finance Officer
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Make a real difference in a flexible and rewarding workplace in Darwin
Manage the finances of the Territory’s peak community sector environment organisation.
Support a growing team of 15 passionate and influential staff
Help protect & restore the globally significant ecosystems and wildlife of Australia’s Top End.
Flexible working hours 45 hours per fortnight.
$63,350.00K p.a. pro rata plus super, ECNT Band 3 to 30th April 2016 with the potential for
extension subject to funding and performance.
Visit www.ecnt.org.au for a position description. For more information contact [email protected] or
call the Finance Manager Judy Halls on 8981 1984 Tuesday-Thursday.
To apply, please forward a covering letter stating why you are the best person for the role, and a CV
to [email protected]
Applications close May 27th 2015
Who we are
The Environment Centre NT is the peak community sector environment organisation in the Northern
Territory, Australia. Established in 1983, the Environment Centre NT is the only Darwin-based
community environment organisation actively working on a broad range of environmental advocacy,
policy development, sustainable living, and education for sustainability programs in the Top End.
Our team of fifteen staff, Board Members and volunteers cover five ambitious campaigns &
programs: Nature Territory, Living Harbour, Safe Climate, Nuclear Free NT and Green Living.
We have a high profile amongst government, industry, community and the media. Our team is
effective, well regarded and influential.
Where we work
The Top End of the Northern Territory forms the geographic core of three inter-linked globally
significant ecosystems: the world’s largest remaining intact tropical savanna, one million kilometres
of free-flowing tropical rivers and creeks, and the largest relatively intact shallow tropical marine
environment.
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The role
The Environment Centre NT invites applications for the position of Finance Officer.
The organisation is continually reforming and taking on new challenges and opportunities, requiring
strong financial management skills.
We seek a Finance Officer to work with the Director, Administration Officer and other senior
managers, the wider staff and the Board to manage the Environment Centre NT’s financial systems.
The Finance Officer manages the organisation’s financial systems under the direction of the Director
and supports the staff of 15 to develop, manage and review its annual budget to deliver the goals,
strategies and outcomes in its approved Strategic and Annual Plans.
The role is key to delivering the organisation’s operations, projects and programs on budget.
Working in close cooperation with the Office Manager and senior staff, the Finance Officer will
enable the organisation to maximise its outcomes on behalf of our members, supporters and
donors.
Position
Finance Officer
Responsible to
The Director. The Finance Officer works closely with
senior staff to deliver regular reports, payroll and prepare
the budget and organizational plans approved by a Board
elected by the members of the Environment Centre NT.
Other positions directly responsible to
None
Office Manager
Positions responsible to this position
None
Period of employment
Until April 30th 2016, subject to funding, with the
potential for ongoing employment subject to satisfactory
performance and funding conditions.
Employment level
Environment Centre NT Band 3 (2013 financial year salary
levels)
Work hours
35-45 hours/week (3 days/week), flexible hours as
negotiated
Salary
$63,350.00K p.a. pro rata plus compulsory super, ECNT
Band 3
Location
Environment Centre NT Office
Unit 3, 98 Woods St, Darwin
Conditions of employment for the role are established by the Environment Centre NT’s Enterprise
Agreement.
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Performance measures and performance outcomes will be discussed and negotiated with the
successful applicant as part of development of a work plan.
Duties
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Lead financial management and reporting
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Establish and monitor sound financial systems
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Administer and monitor the Environment Centre NT’s financial operations using MYOB to
ensure timely and accurate financial reports, Payroll, BAS, Superannuation, financial
disbursements, account reconciliation, management of bank accounts and payment of bills.
Manage financial control, prepare and analyse organizational and project budgets, develop
financial reports, and make recommendations to the organisation on budget expenditures.
Provide accurate and informative monthly and quarterly financial reports for senior staff and
Board members, particularly income and expenditure statements, balance sheet, and cash
flow.
Enter data in MYOB and maintain financial records
Prepare information for financial audits
Manage online banking, use of credit cards, drawing cheques, and petty cash.
Regularly monitor income and expenditure for the organisation, including individual
campaigns and projects, to meet all legislative requirements and contractual obligations.
Continuously review and drive the improvement of financial systems, financial reporting and
financial accountability.
Support staff and the Board on financial management
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Support the Office Manager, Director, other senior staff and the Board on financial
management, particularly drafting the organisation’s annual Budget for Board approval,
monthly and longer-term financial reporting, and financial forecasting.
Support the Office Manager and other senior staff on procurements and purchases.
Provide orientation and training to staff and Board members on financial management.
Provide financial inputs for proposal development, social enterprises, project management, ,
logistics, travel and other areas of administration.
Contribute to strategic planning, reporting and other duties as required by the Director.
Selection and Attributes Criteria
Skills
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Advanced MYOB skills
Strong financial management skills.
Accounting and bookkeeping skills.
Problem solving skills.
Analytical and numeracy skills for interpreting and analysing financial information.
Well-developed computer and keyboard skills.
Motivation and initiative.
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 Effective verbal, written and listening skills.
 Time management skills.
 Ability to work in a small team of passionate environmental professionals.
Knowledge
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Proficiency in using financial accounting programs, particularly MYOB.
Modern accounting principles and practice, including preferably the national Standard Chart Of
Accounts for non-government organisations.
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Experience
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At least 2 years managing finances in a community group, Indigenous organisation, business or
government agency.
Budget preparation and preparation of financial reports.
A track record using MYOB and Excel for bookkeeping, or equivalent software programs.
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Qualifications
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Certificate IV in bookkeeping or finance desirable, but will look at depth of experience.
Personal attributes
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Professional
A passion for the environment and sustainable living
Commitment to the Northern Territory
Honest and trustworthy
Cultural awareness and sensitivity, particularly regarding Indigenous Territorians
Respectful
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Annex 1. Information about the Environment Centre NT
Who we are
The Environment Centre NT is the peak community environment organisation in the Northern
Territory, Australia. The Environment Centre NT and predecessor organisations have been working
to protect the environment since 1983.
Our purpose
The Environment Centre NT works to:
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Protect and restore biodiversity, ecosystems and ecological processes.
Foster sustainable communities through partnerships, advocacy and education.
Prepare for and reduce the impacts of climate change, and encourage a shift to
renewable energy supplies.
The ECNT recognises and supports the rights, aspirations, responsibilities and knowledge of
the Northern Territory’s Indigenous people, and encourages creative and evidence-based
solutions to issues of community concern.
Our values
The Environment Centre NT achieves its mission through our:
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commitment to protecting nature, living sustainably and creating a safe climate
passion and determination
support for the power of communities and individuals to drive change
independence from governments, political parties, business & industry, and donors
support for the rights and aspirations of the Territory’s Indigenous peoples to sustainable
development
compassion and respect in dealing with others
professional advocacy and projects informed by science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
How we work
The Environment Centre NT works by
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advocating for the improvement of environmental policies and performance of governments,
landholders, business and industry;
campaigning for pro-environment policy and funding commitments from all parties and
candidates during election campaigns,
partnering on projects and campaigns with conservation and climate organisations,
governments, Indigenous organisations, community groups, businesses, and landholders;
raising community, government, business and industry awareness about environmental issues
and assisting people to reduce their environmental impact;
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supporting community members to participate in decision making processes and action;
recognising the rights, aspirations, responsibilities and knowledge of the Territory’s Indigenous
peoples; and,
acknowledging that environmental issues have a social dimension.
Where we work
The Environment Centre NT works on campaigns and projects across varying geographic scales
depending upon our capacity, opportunities for partnerships with other organisations, threats, and
the presence of other NGOs with the capacity to address threats. In broad terms, we address the
following issues at these scales:
 Global – global threats such as climate change, by urging community members to take part in
actions to pressure global leaders to take strong action
 Australia – national issues, such as reforming and implementing federal laws and programs,
initiatives progressed by the Council of Australian Governments and Ministerial Councils
 Northern Australia – on threats and opportunities which are best addressed through pannorthern processes and partnerships, often by collaborating with environment organisations
based in Queensland or Western Australia, or national or international NGOs focussing on the
north.
 Northern Territory – legislative reforms, policies and programs relevant to the whole of the
Territory, often in partnership with the Arid Lands Environment Centre in Alice Springs.
 Top End – many of our campaigns and projects focus on the Top End, including land clearing,
water management, and protected areas.
 Greater Darwin – some campaigns and projects largely focus on this area due to the presence of
the vast majority of the Territory’s population in the Darwin-Palmerston-Rural Area region,
threats posed by urbanization and industrial development, and opportunities presented by
changing the behaviour of many householders. This region is the focus of the COOLmob project,
campaigns to protect Darwin Harbour, renewable energy production and emissions abatement.
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