ABOUT US

WHAT IS TERRAIN?

TERRAIN is an initiative that creates playful physical and digital spaces to remind humans that they are embedded in a more-than-human world. As the first of its kind in Australia, TERRAIN’s multi-award winning ecologically-oriented bookshop, gallery and studio in Ngár-go/Fitzroy offers the community a set of blueprints for how we might design our way forward as one planetary ecosystem.

At TERRAIN, we believe the Symbiocene (eco-centric) is the succeeding Environmentally Intelligent (EI) epoch to the Anthropocene (human-centric), in which, humanity lives symbiotically (mutualistically) with the more-than-human-world (plants, animals, machines, microorganisms, etc). We are a small but ambitious social enterprise designing, prototyping and building the cultural infrastructure, technologies and systems for EI to emerge in civic life.

Our first EI prototype is our transdisciplinary community hub and project space, which functions day-to-day as a bookshop, gallery and studio. This is where we research, develop, pilot and test new EI experimental ideas, systems, programs, solutions and experiences with the public. Our second prototype that we’ve piloted through this space is Bioassembly, an ongoing ecological restoration platform that visits varied terrains and bioregions to learn, appreciate, and be actively engaged in the health of biodiverse ecosystems within a local context.

WHAT ARE WE BUILDING?

We believe humanity is entering a new cultural transition. As industrial society was shaped by Mechanical Intelligence, and the digital era by Artificial Intelligence, we believe the defining challenge of the 21st century is the emergence of Environmental Intelligence (EI): the ability for human systems to perceive, understand and operate in service of the more-than-human world. TERRAIN exists to help prototype that transition.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Humanity faces an unprecedented metacrisis: the underlying crisis of the belief systems driving multiple interconnected social, ecological and technological challenges (polycrisis). As Albert Einstein famously observed, ‘problems cannot be solved with the same way of thinking that created them’. We believe the defining transformation of this century is not simply technological, but cultural.

The transition from the Anthropocene toward the Symbiocene requires new ways of thinking, organising and participating in the world. We believe this transformation will be characterised by the emergence of Environmental Intelligence – systems, technologies and cultures designed through transdisciplinary collaboration to operate in harmony with, and in service to, the more-than-human world. TERRAIN exists to prototype those possibilities in public.

PROGRAMS COORDINATOR

As the Programs Coordinator, you will report to and work closely with Cristina Napoleone, TERRAIN’s Founder. You will be responsible for coordinating the development, production and delivery of TERRAIN's public programs, partnerships, member events and educational experiences,



with a particular emphasis on Bioassembly.

This role spans the full lifecycle of our programs – from concept, research, planning and partnership development through to logistics, facilitation, documentation, communications and evaluation. You'll coordinate collaborators, guest speakers, volunteers, institutions and community partners while ensuring high-quality delivery across both physical and digital experiences.

As a small and ambitious organisation, this is a highly varied role suited to someone who enjoys moving fluidly between strategic thinking, administration, creative problem-solving and practical implementation. You’ll become an important part of a small team building a new model for environmental culture from the ground up.

Beyond coordinating day-to-day delivery, this role will help grow Bioassembly into a financially sustainable platform by developing earned revenue by delivering corporate, educational and partnership-based experiences, identifying funding opportunities, and supporting grant and sponsorship applications. We are seeking someone who is excited by the opportunity to help shape the future direction of a growing organisation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

- Coordinate the planning, production and delivery of TERRAIN's public programs, member events and Bioassembly experiences
- Manage projects from concept through to completion, including planning, logistics, budgets and timelines.
- Coordinate volunteers, facilitators, guest speakers and project collaborators
- Build and maintain relationships with community organisations, educational institutions, sponsors and strategic partners
- Produce written communications across newsletters, website content and digital channels
- Contribute to grant applications, sponsorship opportunities and strategic partnerships
- Support the growth of earned revenue through corporate, educational and public programming
- Evaluate programs and contribute to organisational reporting and continuous improvement
- Support operational logistics, including equipment collection, deliveries and travel to project sites

ESSENTIALS

- 3 years experience coordinating and delivering public programs, events, community engagement initiatives or projects from concept through to completion
- Robust project management, budgeting and organisational skills
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities autonomously while working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders
- Current unrestricted driver's licence with the ability to legally drive in Victoria




- Willingness to work occasional weekends in support of public programs and events

DESIRABLES

- Grant writing or fundraising experience
- Partnership development and stakeholder management
- Experience working within environmental, cultural or social impact organisations
- Adobe Creative Suite (particularly InDesign)
- Digitally confident and comfortable learning new workflows and technologies, including using Asana or similar project management software and digital collaboration tools
- Knowledge or experience across environmental humanities, sciences, design and technology
- Relevant tertiary qualification in environmental studies, humanities, geography, design, communications, social sciences or a related discipline
- Strong design and curatorial sensibility, with an understanding of creating cohesive brand experiences
- Own vehicle or access to a vehicle

A NOTE FROM US

If you're excited by TERRAIN's mission, share our core values, and enjoy working across disciplines in a small, ambitious startup environment, you'll likely feel at home here. We're looking for someone who is curious, self-directed, can build relationships, and is comfortable taking ownership and accountability while collaborating closely with others.

TERRAIN is still in its early years, making this a rare opportunity to help shape a growing organisation from the ground up. You'll contribute across publishing, exhibitions, community, education, partnerships and environmental regeneration as part of an evolving ecosystem of projects.

Above all, we value alignment with our mission, humility and an open mind over perfect qualifications. If this role feels like a strong fit, even if your experience doesn't align perfectly with every point above, we'd still love to hear from you.

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

Position: Programs Coordinator

Employment Basis: Part-time, 6-month contract with opportunity to extend

Location: TERRAIN, Ngar-go/Fitzroy (with hybrid flexibility)

Hours: Exact days and hours discussed with successful applicant (weekend work may be required)

Reports To: Founder/Director

Salary: To be set based on experience TO APPLY

Please email [email protected] a cover letter responding to the position and why you are suitable for the role, together with your CV, addressed to Cristina Napoleone (Founder and Director), and include the position in the subject line. Optionally, you may include any relevant portfolio or examples of work.

Applicants must have the right to work in Australia and be over 18 years of age.

We encourage applications that reflect authentic thinking, communication style and experience. AI may be used as a support tool, but your application should remain your own work. If you use AI in preparing your application, please include a brief statement disclosing how it was used.

Applications close Sunday 16th August, 12:00pm AEST.

Before applying, if you want to see the role in action and what we’re all about, we highly recommend attending our next Bioassembly event on 08/08/26 before the application deadline.

📌 Programs Coordinator (Melbourne)
🏢 Terrain
📍 Melbourne