Director of Grants & Strategic Partnerships

HopeNest is an Australian registered charity supporting vulnerable children and families affected by war, displacement, disability, poverty, trauma, and humanitarian crises. Through local partnerships and field teams, we deliver humanitarian, medical, psychological, child protection, disability, and family support programs across multiple international regions.

We are seeking a passionate and strategic Director of Grants & Strategic Partnerships to secure sustainable funding and strengthen the impact of our international programs.

The Opportunity

This role leads grant acquisition, donor engagement, philanthropic partnerships, and strategic funding development. We are specifically seeking someone who can strengthen and fund HopeNest's existing international programs rather than create new domestic programs solely to meet funding criteria.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue grant and funding opportunities aligned with HopeNest's mission and international priorities. • Maintain a 12-month grants calendar and funding pipeline. • Research foundations, trusts, corporate giving programs, and international donors. • Prepare and submit high-quality grant applications, proposals, budgets, and donor submissions. • Collaborate with leadership and field teams to gather impact data and program outcomes. • Build relationships with foundations, major donors, corporations, and funding partners. • Support donor communications, reporting, acquittals, and stewardship. • Maintain funding records, databases, templates, and reporting systems. • Ensure all funding opportunities align with HopeNest's mission and strategic priorities.

Key Performance Indicators

First 90 Days: • Complete a grants and funding audit. • Develop a funding pipeline and 12-month grants calendar. • Create a prospect list of foundations and major donors. • Submit at least five quality funding applications. • Facilitate at least ten conversations with potential funders.

First 12 Months: • Submit 20–30 quality grant applications. • Build relationships with at least 20 funding partners. • Secure AUD $150,000–$300,000 in funding commitments. • Develop a funding pipeline exceeding AUD $500,000. • Establish at least three long-term strategic funding partnerships.

Essential Experience

• Demonstrated success securing grants, philanthropic funding, or major donor support. • Experience within humanitarian, development, refugee, disability, health, child protection, trauma recovery, or related sectors. • Strong grant writing, communication, project management, and organisational skills. • Ability to work independently and manage multiple funding opportunities.

Highly Desirable

• Experience with international NGOs or humanitarian organisations. • Knowledge of philanthropic foundations and international funding mechanisms. • Experience securing grants exceeding AUD $50,000. • Understanding of donor compliance, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation requirements. • Existing relationships within philanthropic or humanitarian sectors.

Personal Attributes

• Mission-driven and compassionate. • Strategic, organised, and entrepreneurial. • Self-motivated and resourceful. • Able to communicate effectively across cultures and regions. • Passionate about improving outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

Compensation

Flexible and negotiable based on experience, availability, and engagement structure.

Options may include: • Volunteer arrangements • Honorarium or stipend-based engagement • Part-time contractor arrangements • Performance-based remuneration • Hybrid compensation models

To apply, please email to [email protected] your submission with the following:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• Examples of previous grant applications or funding successes (if available)
• Two professional references

Email Reference: Application: Director of Grants and Strategic Partnerships