About the Rights Advocacy Project (RAP)

The Rights Advocacy Project (RAP) is a community of lawyers and activists working to advance human rights and civil liberties in Australia. Our mission is to empower and connect the next generation of human rights advocates by providing them with the knowledge and tools to plan and execute strategic advocacy projects for fairer and more just laws.

RAP connects teams of early-career human rights advocates, known as program advocates, with established human rights advocates in an 18-month program where they work on strategic and high impact law reform projects in pursuit of systemic change.

• We provide program advocates with knowledge and tools about law reform and campaigning so they can design and deliver projects.
• We foster a community of human rights advocates.

Our projects

• Our work is focused on solutions and change.
• Our work is strategic and targets long-term law reform issues.
• Our work adds value.
• Our work is rigorous.
• Our work is clear, persuasive and accessible.

RAP’s work is led by a Steering Committee of volunteer members. See the RAP website for a list of the current Steering Committee members.

About Liberty Victoria

RAP is part of Liberty Victoria, an independent non-government organisation that has a long and proud history of campaigning to defend and extend human rights and civil liberties. The current President of Liberty Victoria is Michael Stanton.

Liberty Victoria supports the RAP program as a means of fostering emerging human rights advocates and engaging younger people in its work.

The work of Liberty Victoria is supported by members of the public who pay a membership fee. The organisation is run by two voluntary committees (Policy Committee and Management Committee) and one part-time employee, Grace Girardi, Executive Officer. The Management Committee focuses primarily on administration of Liberty Victoria, events, fundraising and communications while the Policy Committee provides submissions to governments, responds to public debate on civil rights and fosters the development of human rights advocates. Members of the Management Committee and Policy Committee meet once a month. See the Liberty Victoria website for a list of the Committee members.

About the Fundraising Manager

The Fundraising Manager is responsible for leading RAP’s fundraising strategy. In this role you will drive our fundraising campaigns and events, cultivate relationships with existing and new supporters, manage grant applications and funding applications and manage our income generation activities including an annual trivia event. This role together with the Treasurer is ultimately responsible for ensuring the future financial sustainability of RAP in pursuit of its mission.

This is a volunteer position (approximately 6 hours per week).

Key responsibilities

• Attend monthly Steering Committee meetings (usually second Tuesday of the month).
• Provide strategic advice on funding, best practice procedures and sector trends to explore diverse income streams for RAP.
• Manage a grants calendar and grant applications in close collaboration with the RAP officer and Steering Committee including researching, writing and submitting proposals and grant applications.
• Build and maintain long term funding relationships with donors and stakeholders.
• Implement strategies to expand RAP’s supporter base.
• Oversee RAP’s fundraising platforms and related programs and events including an annual trivia night and online fundraising efforts in close collaboration with the RAP officer.
• Monthly reporting on fundraising activity and tracking against budget working with the Treasurer.

Key selection criteria

The key selection criteria for this role are:

• Passion for social justice and committed to RAP’s mission.
• Strategic planning and critical thinking skills.
• Effective communication skills.
• Demonstrated success in supporting the development and execution of fundraising campaigns and securing income from diverse streams.
• Previous experience in writing successful grant applications.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and long-term relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• A high level of autonomy, personal integrity and demonstrated good judgement.

A position description is attached.

For further information please contact us at [email protected] using the subject line: Fundraising Manager enquiry via Ethical Jobs.