ABOUT US

Uniting World is an agency of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA), working through collaboration with partner churches in our region. The relevance and effectiveness of Uniting World programs is built on the foundations of strong partnerships, based on shared faith and history.

Uniting World programs focus on themes that are significant existential issues for our partners: poverty alleviation, gender equality, disaster/climate change resilience and leadership and organisational capacity. We interpret the rigorous principles of sustainable community development through the lens of our Christian faith, committed genuine mutuality with our partners, transparency, accountability, and strong governance.

The international programs team is one of three teams in Uniting World and is responsible for stewarding relationships with church partners internationally, and for ensuring that our program portfolio and budget is delivered effectively, accountably and in line with compliance requirements.

Uniting World collaborates with churches across the Pacific, Asia and Africa to deliver programs that address poverty and injustice and build leadership and institutional capacity.

THE ROLE

As our International Programs Manager and focal point for climate and disaster resilience, you will provide leadership within our program team around these thematic areas - supporting both colleagues and local partner organisations to strengthen capacity and deliver impactful programs.

You will also be the key relationship holder for UnitingWorld’s engagement in a number of strategic climate and/or disaster related consortia (including CAN DO and ACT Alliance) and manage the project and partnership cycle for related projects. As part of managing these partnerships, you will be responsible for the compliance and reporting requirements that come with grant funded projects. You will need to develop a strong understanding of partner’s context, strategic priorities and long-term objectives, and current capabilities, as well as the requirements and expectations of UW and our funders; to deliver the right outcomes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Focal point for climate and disaster resilience programming including providing technical support, developing learning initiatives for partners and UW team members, and building networks of collaborators.
• Partnership and consortium management – both with local church partners and with key climate and disaster related consortia.
• Manage the project cycle including timely and accurate completion of planning, budgeting, monitoring, reporting, acquittals, evaluation, and program learning deliverables.
• Work with partners to ensure timely compliance with all relevant internal and external requirements including safeguarding, risk management, fraud control, and counterterrorism.
• Collaborate and work as a part of a multidisciplinary team to support the work of the Programs Team and to take leadership in specific areas of knowledge and expertise.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with relevant stakeholders including consortia with other not-for-profit organisations, managing contractors, and DFAT.
• Liaise with and support the Fundraising and Communications Team with program updates, photos, case studies, and other resources as they engage and raise funds from our supporters.

ABOUT YOU

• You have a strong understanding of good international development practice – specifically in areas related to climate, environmental and/or disaster related programming
• You are able to work effectively and respectfully in cross-cultural contexts.
• You have demonstrated experience and capability to engage and collaborate within complex multi-partner projects, partnerships, and consortia.
• You understand and can work within the culture and systems of both church organisations and the expectations and standards of the international development sector. You can relate and work with a variety of stakeholders from community development workers to program managers, finance staff to senior national church leaders.
• As Uniting World prioritises the safeguarding of all people, including the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, and the protection of children; you will be committed to ensuring our partners have strong safeguarding systems in place, and will be willing to undertake appropriate police and working with children checks as part of the employment process.

WHY CHOOSE US?

• Uniting World is an organisation committed to innovating and leading in adopting locally-led development approaches. We are focused on the biggest challenges our region faces as identified by our partners including climate change, gender equality and poverty.
• You can make a real impact: we are small enough to be agile and for you to make a real contribution to shaping our work and providing leadership in your areas of expertise, but we work with partners who are significant civil society actors in their own countries and have significant potential to influence change.
• We love working with each other: this is a collaborative team with genuine commitment to investing in the relationships within the organisation.
• Flexible working environment with hybrid and remote working possibilities
• Access to salary packing benefits that make your salary go further

A position description is attached.