# Application for Research role ([Aid Watch](https://aidwatch.org.au))

9 September 2011

To: AID/WATCH Chair, c/o Matthew Hilton

I would like to apply for the AID/WATCH Campaigner position, as advertised in the recent AID/WATCH e- bulletin.
I am currently studying a Master of Laws at UNSW. I work part-time as a National Electricity Market Advocate at the Total Environment Centre, a NGO working toward sustainability, and as a Paralegal at Freehills, a large commercial law firm. I also work on a casual basis as a Research Assistant at the Initiative on Climate Change Law and Policy at UNSW.
I have published papers on environmental law and development, and have pursued my keen interest in development through academic study, most recently studying ‘Environmental Law in Developing Countries’ at the University of the South Pacific in Vanuatu. I have a good understanding of aid, development and land rights issues, and possess excellent research and writing skills. I am highly motivated, a strong communicator, and an experienced and dedicated activist and campaigner. I attach a CV for your perusal, and address the selection criteria below.
Thank you for considering my application, I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

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Understanding of aid, land rights, and development issues relevant to the Pacific I have a strong understanding of aid, land rights and development, as demonstrated by my research and academic experience. I wrote a paper discussing the impacts of international aid and NGOs on development, which has been accepted for publication in the journal ‘Development in Practice’. Accordingly, I have a detailed understanding of the potential negative impacts of well-intentioned aid and NGOs on the development process. Having since become a reviewer for this journal, I have read and critiqued a number of articles, including a paper analysing barriers to NGO efficacy in the Global South. I have also published a paper regarding environmental crime, touching on aid and development issues, including globalisation, free trade, capacity building and technical assistance. In July I completed an exchange course, entitled ‘Environmental Law in Developing Countries’, at the University of the South Pacific in Vanuatu. I acquired a solid understanding of land rights and customary law in the Pacific and explored the dichotomy between customary law and national legal systems. I am currently writing a paper analysing and comparing the impact of customary land ownership and resource management on logging in Indonesia and the Solomon Islands. I have also completed a course entitled ‘Law, culture, and the international’, which explored the role of cultural meanings and values in shaping development, the politics of culture and identity, and the dominance of neoliberal philosophy in the development discourse.
As a Paralegal at Freehills I researched PACER Plus and read submissions to the Government, including the one made by AID/WATCH. I learned about the threat posed by competition to local businesses, the loss of public revenues from tariff removal, and the potential impact on customary land rights.

Solidarity with communities and counterparts in the Global South
Whilst in Vanuatu, I visited local communities on the island of Nguna to discuss customary land title and the use of chiefly legal systems to manage and conserve their natural resources. I also visited the Chief Roi Mata’s domain World Heritage Site, attending a talk from a volunteer on the challenges the site faces. I discussed with residents the difficulties of conserving the site against a backdrop of Government leasing of their land to foreign companies. I saw the huge issues faced by these people from their perspective, and feel that the role at AID/WATCH would allow me to work in solidarity with such communities to assist them in addressing and overcoming these issues. As a delegate to the World Model United Nations Conference in 2010, I represented the Marshall Islands in the Economic and Social Council. I conducted detailed research into the economic and social status of the Islands, in order to accurately represent their concerns. I developed a sense of connection with those that I was representing by also researching the history and culture of the Islands and understanding the Marshallese way of life. I completed a qualification in counselling in 2008, demonstrating my ability to understand and empathise with others. I believe that my understanding of the issues, coupled with my adaptability, will enable me to work effectively in solidarity with groups in the Global South.

### Research and writing skills

I possess excellent research and writing skills and have broad experience with research and writing in a campaign context. During my undergraduate degree, I was a key member of Campaign Against the Arms Trade, working to remove the influence of arms companies on campus. I researched and wrote campaign materials and articles for the student newspaper and magazine. I designed and wrote campaign materials for a ‘No New Coal’ campaign, informing the public and explaining the issues. I also wrote a guide for students to their free speech rights on campus for the Activist Legal Project. I have published a number of papers in peer-reviewed journals and have consistently excelled in research throughout my studies.
I work as an Advocate at the Total Environment Centre, researching strategies to reduce demand in the electricity system and increase efficiency, and writing high-level advocacy documents for policy makers and politicians. As a Research Assistant at UNSW I am researching for Australia’s first book on renewable energy law.

Campaigning on social and environmental justice issues
I have long been politically active, and have campaigned on a range of social and environmental justice issues. I started a Vegetarian & Vegan society at my undergraduate university. The society successfully mobilised a large group of students and lobbied for a number of changes on campus, including removal of cage eggs from University shops and the inclusion of vegan options in the University’s canteen and halls of residence.

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As the General Secretary of the Nottingham Student Peace Movement, I coordinated a campaign lobbying the University to establish an ethical careers fair. We garnered a high level of support from an otherwise apathetic student body and the campaign was highly successful. I was involved in the Campaign Against the Arms Trade, which was successful in deterring arms companies from organising events on campus, and resulted in the implementation of an ethical investment policy.
I became the spokesperson for a group of students arrested on campus during a peaceful protest. I met with the Assistant Dean and the Head of Security of the University and gave interviews to the local press defending the students and their protest.
I was part of the Camp for Climate Action (‘Climate Camp’) in 2008, volunteered for the Greens during their 2011 NSW election campaign, and conducted an environmental audit at Amnesty International’s office to help them ‘go green’.

Capacity to be self-directed and work independently
I am a highly driven and motivated person, and am capable of working independently, with little guidance. My current jobs involve a high level of autonomy and minimal supervision, and I regularly use my initiative to exceed expectations. For example, having recently completed a research task at Freehills regarding the arrangements for connecting a wind farm to the electricity transmission network, I continued to monitor an ongoing rule change that may have been relevant, producing memos on the process as it unfolded, and ensuring the team was up to date with developments.

### Open and consensus style of communication

I firmly believe in open communication and consensus decision-making. In 2008 I was involved in a protest against the renewal of Britain’s nuclear weapons. This national campaign aimed to continuously blockade Britain’s nuclear submarine base, at Faslane in Scotland, for one year (‘Faslane 365’). This required significant logistical planning. As a facilitator of meetings for two blockade groups, I conducted meeting through consensus and managed disagreements and conflicts. The Climate Camp similarly proceeded on a consensus basis, further honing these skills. I enjoy working closely with team members and have developed strong working relationships with colleagues at my current jobs at the Total Environment Centre and Freehills.

### Oral communication skills

I possess strong and adaptable oral communication skills. In 2010 I worked as a Student Attorney on death penalty cases in Texas. I visited clients on death row, speaking comfortably with challenging clients, gaining their trust, and assisting with their appeals. At the Total Environment Centre I regularly communicate with the electricity regulator, other NGOs and community groups, consultants and academics.
During my recent trip to Vanuatu, I stayed with a Peace Corps volunteer and met many members of the local community. I heard first-hand the problems they face in developing their country. I used simple and accessible language, and broke the ice using a handful of phrases I learned in Bislama. This was met with appreciation, and amusement.

### Desirable skills and knowledge

I have a wide range of experience in advocacy and campaigning. I have organised a number of campaigns, including Campaign Against the Arms Trade, the Vegetarian Society campaign, and the No New Coal campaign. My work with university societies and mobilising students has given me experience working in member-based organisations. I have managed the budgets for these societies and organised fundraising and outreach events, such as film screenings, exhibitions and small festivals.
I have become acquainted with AID/WATCH’s work as a result of my interest in the Independent Review of Aid Effectiveness. I have a keen interest in development and wish to pursue a career in the field. However, I query the efficacy of some aid programs and NGOs, and feel that AID/WATCH would be the perfect organisation for me to pursue this interest.

### Additional skills

I possess highly advanced computer skills. I am proficient in web design and programming (HTML/PHP), Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Word, Excel, and other Office programs. I am knowledgeable about computers in general and am good at solving computer problems. I love travelling and would be willing to travel nationally or internationally as part of this role, should this be required.

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