• Location: Melbourne / Hybrid
• Position Type: Full-time or Part-Time (1/0.8 FTE)

About Us

The Self-Determination Fund is a newly established registered Not-For-Profit, First Peoples owned and controlled resource, designed by and for First Peoples of Victoria. The purpose of the Self-Determination Fund is to promote First Peoples’ economic development, both through the Treaty process and into the future.

The main purposes of the fund are:

• Equal Footing in Treaty Negotiations for Traditional Owners in Victoria - to support Traditional Owners to enter Treaty negotiations with the State Government with equal standing, and
• Wealth and Prosperity of all First Peoples in Victoria – to be a resource to help First Peoples to build capacity, wealth, and prosperity for current and future generations.

The Role

Reporting to the CEO, the Funding and Relationship Manager is a pivotal role in the small but growing team of the Self-Determination Fund.

This dynamic role will be managing the delivery of the Equal footing funding program whilst fostering strong and supportive relationships with the Fund’s applicants with a culturally strong and values aligned approach.

The Funding and Relationship Manager will provide end-to end support to applicants including support in the applicant process, during the funding period and through the reporting process.

This is a unique opportunity to utilise your experience, knowledge, relationship management and project or grant management skills to contribute to the purpose of the organisation, as well as shaping the establishment of the Self-Determination Fund’s funding program.

This role is suited for an individual with strong relationship management and project/grants management experience, and with relevant experience and knowledge working with First Peoples.

Key Responsibilities

• Relationship Support: Foster positive relationships with funding applicants, recipients, and partners, providing guidance, answering inquiries, and addressing concerns. Supporting applicants to remove any barriers to being able to apply.
• Application Administration and Assessment: Manage the administrative process of funding applications, including receiving, organising, and reviewing applications for completeness and compliance with funding guidelines whilst strongly adhering to the Fund’s privacy and data sovereignty policies. Create assessment reports for Board consideration.
• Reporting: Manage the reporting framework for funded projects, ensuring that recipients submit reporting as required, and summarising outcomes for internal and external stakeholders.
• Funding Priorities: Contribute to the development and implementation of further funding programs once additional priority areas open.
• Monitoring: Ensure that funded projects adhere to the Fund's guidelines, funding agreements, and ethical standards, addressing when necessary.
• Knowledge Sharing: Facilitate knowledge sharing among grant recipients, encouraging collaboration and shared learning within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Funding Related Communications: Promote funding opportunity with Traditional Owner Groups across Victoria.Work closely with the Community Engagement Teams within the Treaty Negotiation Framework (First Peoples Assembly Victoria and Treaty Authority) to ensure Traditional Owner groups are informed of the funding processes. Development of presentation materials. Work with the Office Manager to maintain funding information on the website.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for process improvements and recommend enhancements to the grants management process.

Skills, Competencies, & Knowledge

(Please note, interested applicants are encouraged to apply even if not meeting all desired requirements)

• Proven experience in project management, grants management/administration or a related role.
• Methodical and strategic thinker, comfortable with taking initiative.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to support and engage with all stakeholders effectively.
• Proficiency in office management tools, technology, and remote collaboration platforms.

• Experience working with Victorian Traditional Owner groups and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and individuals.
• Adept at respectfully fostering a culturally sensitive relationships and valuing Indigenous perspectives.
• Desire to learn, ability to work to deadlines, and comfortable working within a small team.

Benefits of working for the Self-Determination Fund

• Opportunity to take a key role in a dynamic and innovative organisation working towards Treaty and Self-Determined Wealth and Prosperity for Victorian Aboriginal communities.
• Competitive salary based on experience including salary packaging options
• Salary packaging.
• Opportunity to contribute a pivotal role in the operational set up of the fund.
• Fresh new office space in a great central location, with hybrid/flexible working options available
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program

Additional Information regarding the role

This role will require travel within Victoria.

Learn more about the Self-Determination Fund and our funding program via the following links

Self-Determination Fund

Self-Determination Fund – Reports and Resources

Equal Footing Funding Program – Funding Guidelines