Technical reviewers expressions of interest

The NSW Environmental Trust funds a wide range of organisations to achieve positive environmental outcomes for New South Wales through its diverse portfolio of contestable grants programs.

SoS Contestable Tweed ScSThe Trust's Contestable Grants Team is always on the lookout for independent reviewers from across New South Wales with suitable expertise and skills to assist us in reviewing project progress and final reports and making recommendations for the effective management of awarded grants. Expressions of interest are welcome throughout the year.

This is a fabulous opportunity for selected reviewers to build further understanding of the environmental projects happening across your region and contribute your skills and knowledge to deliver better outcomes for the environment of New South Wales.

The Contestable Grants Team currently administers 8 active grant programs, including:

We are looking for people with a high level of expertise and/or research experience in one or more of the following areas:

  • natural and/or cultural resource management
  • restoration ecology
  • threatened species management
  • fire ecology and management
  • invasive species management
  • community engagement/education.
  • environmental research

To track the implementation and progress of all projects toward their expected outcomes, grantees are required to submit periodic reports, typically annually and at project conclusion. Independent reviewers review project progress and final reports to determine the extent of project performance against the approved project plan.

Grant instalments for these projects are paid once a progress/milestone report is submitted and the independent reviewer confirms that adequate progress has been demonstrated. This process provides Trust Administration with an opportunity to work with the grantee to resolve any grant delivery, budgetary or management issues. In addition, it also allows for projects to be adaptively managed to maximise their environmental benefit.

Review project reporting materials received from the grantee and complete a project progress /final reviewer report for each project.

The process requires the reviewer to:

  • Read all documents provided in the reviewer package (including Annual/Final Progress Report, budget spreadsheet, supporting documents, etc.) and assess progress against the project plan, workplan or business plan – for example, is the grantee on track to achieve outcomes?

Note: depending on the year of the grant, the reviewer package may direct reviewers to complete their review through either the Trust's Grant Management System portal or use a Word template.

  • Check and verify whether evidence of all project outputs expected have been provided (or not) with the progress/final report, including any required monitoring outputs. If not, this should be noted in the reviewer template.
  • Complete all sections of the report review template (Word version or online), including:
    • providing feedback to Trust grant administrators on project performance, for example, implementation, demonstration of outputs/outcomes and checking whether budget expenditure is on track
    • identifying information/documents omitted from progress / final reports that need to be provided to complete the review
    • providing advice/recommendations for grantees to address (either before release of subsequent funding instalments or in the general course of the project delivery).
  • Reviews will be completed on provided templates (Word version or online) from information provided in the reviewer package.
  • Reviews are to be submitted within 10 working days from the date sent by Trust Administration.
  • Actual or perceived Conflict of interests are declared immediately to the Trust before any review is commenced – Trust Administration will then reallocate to another reviewer.
  • Reviewers to seek clarification from Trust Administration if unclear on information provided.
  • All information contained within the reviewer package must be treated as confidential, and all reviewers must sign a Confidentiality Agreement.
  • All reviews submitted to Trust Administration are considered confidential, with the identity of both the reviewer and/or their employer not disclosed to grantees under any circumstances.
  • Trust Administration will provide periodic coaching, particularly at commencement, to assist the reviewer to meet the required standards.
  • Trust Administration reserves the right to request amendments to reviewer reports that are not completed to a reasonable level of quality, lack sufficient detail or are incomplete.

The rate of remuneration for reviews ranges between $90 to $100/hr (excluding GST) depending on demonstrated level of experience in reviewing grant reports.

Depending on the project's complexity, grant program and whether the review to be undertaken is either a progress or final report, reviews generally take between 2 to 5 hours to complete.

Reviewers are appointed for 1 year with the potential for extension.

Note: the inclusion of a person in the reviewer pool does not guarantee work.

  1. High level of expertise and/or research experience in one or more of the following areas: natural or cultural resource management, restoration ecology, threatened species management, monitoring (MER), fire management, invasive species management, community engagement/education and relevant industry or not-for-profit community experience.
  2. Experience in project governance, budget management and risk assessment.
  3. The capacity to provide expert advice, including evidence of integrity, independence, impartiality, good judgement, and environmental and social awareness.
  4. Capacity and flexibility to undertake reviews within the required timeframe.
  5. Highly desirable; experience in grants and understanding of the opportunities and constraints of grant delivered projects and adaptive management principles.
  6. Preferably based in New South Wales.

To complete an Expression of Interest, please complete the online form and upload the following:

  • cover letter (maximum 2 pages) referencing how you address the skills and experience selection criteria below.
  • current curriculum vitae (CV) (maximum of 3 pages).
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Referees

Please provide two referees including their name, position and contact details including email address.

Referee 1




Referee 2




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