Do you want to improve the lives of people with disabilities and vulnerable people?
Humanity & Inclusion UK is looking for a consultant to develop an engagement strategy for Australian government funding with the aim of enabling HI to position strategically to increase funding.
This initial short-term consultancy, to be delivered in late 2025, is the first step in a longer-term strategy to increase HI’s engagement and boost our income from Australia. If budget allows, there may be further consultancy opportunities in 2026-2027 to support the implementation of this strategy.
Background information and purpose of consultancy
HI UK’s Institutional Relations Team supports HI’s global engagement with UK institutional donors such as FCDO and the Start Network. The team has recently taken on responsibility for additional institutional donors, including Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). HI globally has some track record of securing funding from DFAT, mainly through in-country engagement with embassies, and existing connections with some DFAT teams.
The purpose of the consultancy is to: develop HI’s engagement strategy for Australian government funding with the aim of enabling HI to position strategically to increase our funding.
This initial short-term consultancy is the first step in a longer-term strategy to increase HI’s engagement and boost our income from Australia. If budget allows, there may be further consultancy opportunities in 2026-2027 to support the implementation of this strategy.
Scope of work, milestones and deliverables
Scope of work
- Informed by an understanding of HI’s priorities, strengths, ways of working and our current context, analyse the potential for increasing HI’s funding from DFAT.
- Based on the current landscape and competition for Australian government funding, map the sectors, geographies and if appropriate, potential partners/consortium leads HI should seek to prioritise for the different Australian funding streams.
- Conduct a mapping of key contacts within DFAT / humanitarian development networks.
- Develop an engagement strategy with a realistic action plan to be implemented by HI in 2026-2027, including advice on strategic positioning at central and country/regional level (both with DFAT and potential partners) and recommendations on any key practical/administrative actions (e.g. registration process, networks to join).
- Present, discuss and refine the strategy and plan with internal stakeholders.
Milestones and deliverables
- Desk-based research/reading and briefing meetings with a small group of internal stakeholders to understand HI’s priorities and current context.
- Deliver a mapping of priority sectors/geographies relevant to HI and potential partners/competition for the different Australian funding streams available to INGOs.
- Deliver a mapping of key contacts within DFAT / humanitarian development networks.
- Deliver a draft engagement strategy and action plan for review and discussion with a small group of internal stakeholders.
- Refine and finalise engagement strategy and action plan based on feedback from internal stakeholders.
Person Specification
Essential criteria
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Excellent organisational skills and ability to deliver to deadlines.
- Excellent analytical skills.
- Recent experience of securing significant funding for INGOs from a range of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) funding streams, ideally including both grants and commercial contracts.
- Knowledge of DFAT’s structure, the Australian funding landscape, competition for DFAT funding and administrative registration requirements.
- Experience of the full funding cycle from influencing donor strategies/opportunities through to positioning, proposal development, contracting, grant management and closure.
- Ability to facilitate discussions and consult with internal stakeholders.
- Commitment to creating and maintaining an inclusive and protective environment for everyone that comes into contact with the organisation.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working with or for both Australian and non-Australian INGOs
- Understanding of the disability inclusion sector and experience of working on these issues
How to apply
To apply, please send the following information by email to recruitment.uk@hi.org:
- CV
- Short letter (one page maximum) outlining your suitability for the consultancy, how you would approach it within the advertised budget and timelines and your day rate
- Contact details for two professional references
- One or two relevant writing samples
If you disclose a disability during your application process and you meet the minimum criteria for the consultancy, we will contact you to discuss any reasonable adjustment you might need at the interview. However, if you have not disclosed, please note that all applicants invited for interview will be asked if any reasonable adjustments are needed.
Closing date: 16:00 GMT Monday 24 November 2025
Shortlisting and brief interviews are planned for the same week
For further information, please contact Humanity & Inclusion UK on 0870 774 3737 or by email at recruitment.uk@hi.org.