• Leadership role in a women's rights organisation working in Asia and the Pacific
• Drive IWDA's work to achieve gender equality for all
• Full time permanent role based in Melbourne with hybrid work options

The Organisation

International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA) is an Australia based organisation, resourcing diverse women’s rights organisations, primarily in Asia and the Pacific, and contributing to global feminist movements to advance our vision of gender equality for all.

IWDA resources the work of diverse women’s rights organisations, enables them to be more effective by providing support that goes beyond money, and contributes to feminist movements through advocacy, knowledge creation and translation.

Taking actions to decolonise their approach to feminism and development, IWDA strives to become the best they can be at partnering across the Majority and Minority worlds.

Across nearly 40 years of herstory, IWDA has worked with 194 program partners across 36 countries and territories.

Benefits & Culture

• Highly influential role within a collaborative organisation
• Generous salary with tax effective packaging available
• Hybrid work from home and office model
• Generous leave and flexibility entitlements

The Role

Reporting to the CEO, you will have primary accountability and ownership of IWDA’s partnership approach as it translates into practice with a feminist, transformative and decolonial lens. Working closely with diverse women’s rights organisations in Asia and the Pacific, and as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will:

• Build relationships with existing and potential new donors to support grantee partners and programs
• Oversee complex projects, and program cycles, including financial management, governance and risk
• Support and resource partners with contract and program delivery
• Contribute to the strategic leadership of IWDA including development of the strategic plan from 2026
• Ensure robust program monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) strategies
• Lead and mentor five high-performing direct reports, and guide the wider partnerships team

Skills Required

You are a senior international development leader with demonstrated networks and influence in gender equality or women’s rights movements. You share IWDA’s values and, with your sophisticated relationship management and partnering skills, have achieved success leading similar sized international development programs and managing major institutional donor relationships. Additionally, you have:

• Knowledge or experience of working to DFAT’s accreditation compliance requirements
• Inspirational and inclusive leadership skills, with experience managing diverse teams
• Strong portfolio and budget management skills and ability to advocate for positive change
• Proven abilities to build diverse organisational funding streams and financial sustainability
• Relevant post graduate qualifications (or equivalent experience) in international development, gender studies or related field

As a women-led organisation, IWDA has an Equal Opportunity exemption (H69/2022) and requests applications from people who identify as women only (cis or trans). Preference will be given to candidates with lived experience in the Pacific or South East Asia; that is, from individuals who are native to a culture of the Pacific or Asia including to an Indigenous culture in a settler society in the Pacific.

If you are a collaborative and empowering development sector leader, and committed to promoting gender equality, please apply by submitting your resume and cover letter responding to the skills required, quoting reference # 1253744.

Alternatively, please call (02) 8243 0570 or email [email protected] using the subject line: Director - Partnerships - International Women's Development Agency (IWDA) enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Please note there is no formal closing date for this role, if you are interested, we would encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

NGO Recruitment values equitable recruitment practices and is committed to representing candidates reflective of the diverse organisations and communities we work with. We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds, ages, and identities, and are happy to adjust our recruitment process to support accessibility needs. If you are interested in this position and have most of the skills or experience, we are looking for, please go ahead and apply.