Strategic Partnerships and Grants Advisor

BACKGROUND

This position leads our grant funding strategy for the global Social Impact Partnership between ChildFund Rugby and World Rugby. This role has two core responsibilities:

1) Leading Grant Applications

• Identifying and assessing grant funding opportunities
• Developing and submitting high-quality funding proposals
• Managing the end-to-end application process
• Coordinating with stakeholders to gather necessary information
• Ensuring partners have access to up to date information on grant opportunities and their progress

2) Growing the Funding Portfolio

Pursuing diverse funding sources including:

• Bilateral and multilateral institutions
• Non-traditional institutional funders
• Trusts and foundations

The role focuses on securing resources for an ambitious partnership to create positive social impact through the intentional use of rugby across the world.

Partnership Information

ChildFund Rugby and World Rugby partner across the world to use rugby as a powerful tool to drive positive social impact. This partnership is in place across multiple years, and builds on previous social impact collaborations across four Rugby World Cup events.

ChildFund Rugby is led by ChildFund Australia, on behalf of the ChildFund Alliance - a global network of 11 organisations partnering in more than 70 countries.

World Rugby is the International Federation for the sport of Rugby Union comprising of 132 national member federations affiliated through six regional associations.

KEY DUTIES

Opportunity Management and Development

• Research and identify high-potential grant funding opportunities
• Lead comprehensive assessment of funding opportunities against strategic criteria
• Maintain and update the opportunity pipeline for partner visibility
• Develop strategies to expand funding from non-traditional and emerging funders

Proposal Development and Grant Management

• Lead end-to-end proposal preparation process
• Coordinate input from Union partners and key stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with funder requirements
• Deliver timely, high-quality reports for all active grants
• Monitor grant performance and manage donor relationships

Partnership and Capacity Sharing

• Strengthen institutional fundraising capabilities of partners
• Provide hands-on training and mentoring in grant management
• Support partners in developing effective donor engagement strategies
• Foster collaboration between stakeholders to maximise funding success

Cross-Cutting Priorities

• Champion gender equality in all design and implementation
• Ensure disability inclusion across all proposals
• Integrate social inclusion principles across all funding applications
• Apply these principles in stakeholder engagement and capacity building

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Project Management Excellence

• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives
• Experience in planning, executing, and monitoring grant projects
• Strong track record of meeting deadlines and managing competing priorities

Communication and Writing

• Exceptional proposal and report writing abilities
• Clear and persuasive communication across diverse audiences
• Strong stakeholder coordination and relationship management skills
• Ability to translate complex ideas into compelling narratives
• Fluency in English, with French an advantage

Strategic Thinking and Analysis

• Deep understanding of current donor trends and funding landscapes
• Strong analytical skills for opportunity assessment and decision-making
• Creative problem-solving abilities
• Entrepreneurial mindset for identifying and pursuing new opportunities

Technical and Digital Proficiency

• Advanced proficiency in grant management
• Strong data analysis and reporting tools expertise
• Experience with project management software
• Ability to work effectively across digital platforms
• Technical expertise in Sport for Development, youth development, gender, and/or safeguarding an advantage

Personal Attributes

• Intellectual curiosity and continuous learning mindset
• Self-motivated with high energy and drive
• Innovative thinking and adaptability
• Strong attention to detail while maintaining strategic perspective

The ideal candidate will combine these skills with a passionate commitment to social impact through sport.

Information

All candidates must commit to remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding or sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment (SEAH) risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the policies and procedures, and conduct themselves in a manner consistent with those policies.

Employment

Full-Time (12 months initially with the opportunity for extension)

Other Information

Must be willing to work outside standard hours if required to accommodate international partnerships and external donor deadlines.

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In-line with our values, diversity of people and ideas is critical to our work and our success.  We strive for a team culture that is welcoming, inclusive, and supportive. ChildFund is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and strongly encourages people from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to apply for vacancies.

For applications from businesses, we encourage those headed by women and people with disabilities, as well as those active in promoting inclusion in the workplace, to apply.

Keywords

Grant ManagementProposal DevelopmentStakeholder EngagementProject ManagementCommunicationStrategic ThinkingData AnalysisSport for DevelopmentYouth DevelopmentGenderSafeguarding