• Location: Australia wide
• Term: Permanent
• Job Type: Full-time, 0.8 considered
• Remuneration: SCHADS Level 6: $107,000 - $112,000 + 11% super + 17.5% Annual Leave Loading
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are particularly encouraged to apply
• Reporting to: Head of Philanthropy

Use your specialist skills in communications, writing or philanthropy to work at the forefront of the legal fight for environment and help tackle climate change and Australia’s extinction crisis.

Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is the largest environmental legal centre in the Australia-Pacific, dedicated to protecting our climate, communities and shared environment by providing access to justice, running ground-breaking litigation and leading law reform advocacy.
As the region’s legal experts in our field, we aim to be a brave, unified, and focused team, committed to inclusion and excellence in all that we do. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive workplace supporting a highly skilled, engaged, and effective team, where everyone can feel that they belong.

The opportunity

The Senior Philanthropy Specialist is part of EDO’s Philanthropy team within Fundraising, Marketing and Communications. Through philanthropy we raise sustainable income to support the unlimited potential of EDO. We connect donors with the power of the law, and together we meet the most urgent challenges of our time by defending nature, climate and communities.

Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy, this role contributes to meeting EDO’s income targets through the development of proposals to trusts and foundations, and the management of major donor relationships during this critical decade for nature and climate.

To achieve this you will work closely with the philanthropy team including one other Senior Philanthropy Specialist, the CEO, Legal teams, Trust & Foundation Managers, board members, and the broader Fundraising, Marketing & Communications team. You will ensure effective cultivation and stewardship of donors and prospects across the philanthropy portfolio.

EDO has offices in each state and territory and also enables remote working. As such, this role can be based anywhere in Australia.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential:

• Philanthropy, communications, or marketing experience, with at least 2 years’ experience writing major donor proposals and grants
• Major donor or relationship management experience, able to foster outstanding relationships
• Demonstrated ability to write cases for support and impact reports
• Experience with donor management databases
• Ability to work with a high-performing team in a collaborative environment, with a commitment to EDO’s values and upholding a positive work culture

Desirable:

• Previous experience in the environment, climate, or health sectors
• A broad understanding of data-driven philanthropy

Our culture and benefits

We care deeply about creating a workplace where our team members feel valued, respected, and empowered. We are committed to providing equal opportunity regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or life stage.

• The chance to be part of the largest environmental legal practice in the Australia-Pacific 
• A very flexible and family-friendly workplace 
• Option to work from home and the office
• Eight weeks paid parental leave, regardless of gender or carer status
• 15 days personal/carer’s leave per year
• 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave per year
• Three days paid cultural leave per year
• Extra leave over the Christmas period
• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Ongoing professional development opportunities 
• EDO proudly has a JEDI (Justice, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion) Committee and a Mental Health Ambassador Committee, and has developed a First Nations Program with the aid of Indigenous-led consultancies. 
• Three Affinity groups for the following: Disability, Global Majority* and LGBTQIA+
• *Global Majority is a collective term that first and foremost speaks to and encourages those so-called, to think of themselves as belonging to the majority on planet earth. It refers to people who are Black, African, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, Indigenous to the global south, and or, have been racialised as ‘ethnic minorities’.

Our Values

• Commitment – We are committed to; a united organisation, to each other, to collaboration, to justice, to our communities and to creating a world where nature thrives.
• Diversity – We respect First Nations Peoples’ knowledges and experiences, and work with them to protect their Countries and cultures.
• Integrity – We work effectively, efficiently, strategically, professionally, and ethically; “justice is in our nature”.
• Vision – We lead change and environmental empowerment using innovation, creativity, and courage.

Applications must include a CV and a letter that clearly addresses each of the selection criteria. Applications which do not address the Key Selection Criteria will not be considered.

The Key Selection Criteria show the minimum essential requirements of the position. The desirable criteria outline additional attributes which would enable the successful candidate to perform the role more effectively; they are not essential but may be used to distinguish between applicants during the shortlisting process.

EDO particularly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Pacific Island people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, workers of all ages, people with disabilities and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Other Information

All offers of employment may be subject to satisfactory background checks including a National Police Check, disclosure of previous or current disciplinary action, referee checks, proof of eligibility to work in Australia and qualification checks.

Please note: Your application may be considered for future roles at the EDO within the next 12 months without additional advertising.

Please notify us in your application if you would not like to be considered for similar roles beyond this recruitment.

If you have any accessibility needs for the recruitment or interviewing process, or for confidential enquiries please let us know in your application or by emailing [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Philanthropy Specialist enquiry via EthicalJobs.

To read the position description please click here.