About Country Needs People

Country Needs People (CNP) is an independent, non-partisan organisation dedicated to supporting Indigenous land and sea management Australia wide through federal and state advocacy, policy development, research, and a variety of partner support activities. We are a newly independent organisation developed from over a decade’s steady work with Indigenous land and sea management groups around Australia with a strong track record of positive impact across Australia and beyond. With a network of over 40 frontline Indigenous organisational partners and over 100,000 Australian supporters, Country Needs People works to celebrate and strengthen the success of Indigenous Australians working on country for the benefit of all Australians.

We are a small team, with an office in Canberra and staff and contractors working from Canberra and remotely from other places in Australia. We work closely and strategically with Indigenous partners, governments, and other stakeholders to enhance the quantity, quality and security of Indigenous led natural and cultural values land and sea management. We combine:

• strategic, non-partisan advocacy to state and federal governments
• communications campaigns to build a broad public support base across Australia
• collaborative project work and organisational advice and support with and for our Indigenous partners.

Overview of role

CNP doesn’t receive any funding from governments and relies solely on private donations for our operations. The Fundraising Coordinator is a new position, responsible for delivering a new CNP fundraising strategy. They will work closely with, and assist the Executive Director to manage relationships with funders and increase support from philanthropy and major donors. They will embrace an immediate opportunity to raise more philanthropic funding with the incentive of matched funding from a current donor, including developing opportunities for bringing in funding from individual donors.

Duties

The Fundraising Coordinator will:

Philanthropy and major donors

• Support the Executive Director to manage relationships with current and prospective philanthropic and major donors
• Develop and deliver a plan to achieve growth in philanthropic / major donor funding, in response to a key donor-led matched funding opportunity
• Ensure CNP meets engagement goals and reporting obligations to foundations and donors
• Create individual communications plans for each donor identified in the program across multiple communication channels
• Coordinate research into prospective funders
• Identify opportunities for funder meetings and events

Individual fundraising:

• Develop and manage systems to raise funds from individuals, based on the CNP fundraising strategy
• Develop and implement appeals, donor care and regular giving initiatives
• Introduce better practice fundraising principles and tried and tested direct marketing techniques across direct mail, email, social media, website, and other appropriate channels
• Maintain information on individual donors
• Identify channel opportunities based on CNP activity to leverage fundraising activities
• Work closely with your colleagues to identify fundraising opportunities that align with campaign and organisational goals
• Monitor and track responses to fundraising initiatives, continually improving methods

Other fundraising

• Respond to community and business fundraising offers and manage third-party digital platforms as appropriate
• Prepare reports for analysing the performance of fundraising programs
• Produce annual review and refinements of the fundraising strategy
• Other related tasks as necessary

Qualities

We are seeking a person with a track record of successful fundraising who can contribute their considerable skills to the journey of building a sustainable, high functioning organisation that supports First Nations communities. The ideal candidate will be:

• Invigorated by CNP’s purpose of protecting and preserving the natural environment through Indigenous land and sea management
• Excited to work in a new role, in a young and developing organisation
• Able to lead and deliver in a central fundraising role, without the support of a larger fundraising team

• An energetic team player, comfortable combining strategic thinking and leadership with hands on delivery in their day-to-day work
• Highly sensitive to the significant working relationships of trust that CNP has developed and seeks to maintain with our Indigenous partners
• Brings a positive and collaborative personality to tasks with strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to do what’s required in a small team.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Experience managing successful and productive relationships with major donors and philanthropy
• Fundraising experience, in a comparable context
• Experience building fundraising systems
• Experience using a data-driven approach and working towards delivering on fiscal targets
• Excellent verbal and written skills

Desirable

• Understanding of digital communication and marketing in fundraising campaigns
• Experience with NationBuilder or other similar CRMs
• Experience in a campaign-led organisation where fundraising and philanthropy is an important source of revenue

Employment terms

• Initial contract for 2 years with the opportunity to extend.
• This role will preferably be filled as a 0.6 - 0.8 FTE position (3 - 4 days pw).

• Terms and conditions are based on the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award.
• The position is classified as a Level 6, with a pro rata full time equivalent salary offered in the range of $92,703 – $96,794.
• Plus statutory superannuation of 10.5%.

• The role reports to the Operations Manager.
• There is a strong preference for this role to be undertaken in our office in Canberra City, however other offsite options will be considered for outstanding candidates. Moving allowance can be negotiated.
• Some travel and occasional weekend work may be required at times.

How to apply:

Within two pages, applicants should outline the extent to which they satisfy the essential skills required and desirable attributes, using examples where relevant. In addition, applicants should include a brief cover letter and a current CV. The applicant should also be able to supply two current referees we can contact.

* The preferred file format for applications is one compiled pdf document. We will reply to all applicants and keep them informed of the status of their application.

We will be commencing shortlisting for this role immediately. Applications will be closed once a suitable applicant has been identified so please get your application in ASAP.

Please send applications to Indra Esguerra at [email protected]. If you wish to inquire further about the position, please contact Indra on 0402 486 647.