Programs Officer

Details Location: Sydney, NSW Company: International Aid & Development NGO Position: Full-Time

Who are we?

Islamic Relief is an international relief and development agency striving to alleviate poverty and suffering around the world regardless of colour, race, or religion.

Established in 1984 in response to the widespread famine in Africa, Islamic Relief has grown to be a well-known and respected aid agency providing disaster relief and supporting the sustainable development of vulnerable communities in over 40 countries. Islamic Relief specialises in Education and training, Health and Nutrition, Water and sanitation, Income Generation, Orphans' Support, Emergency Relief, and Disaster Preparedness.

Islamic Relief Worldwide is a member of the UK Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and is an implementing partner for DFID, ECHO, the World Food Programme, and UNHCR. Islamic Relief Australia (IRAUS) is a member of the Islamic Relief family, sharing a common vision, mission, and family identity, all of whom use the term "Islamic Relief" as part of their organisational name.

Islamic Relief Australia has an annual turnover of approximately $14 million and employs 15 staff and over 150 volunteers throughout Australia to support local and international emergency, welfare and development projects, as well as fundraising and advocacy work. Islamic Relief Australia is an active member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and adheres to the ACFID Code of Conduct which defines minimum standards of governance, management and accountability of development for non-government organisations (NGOs).

Who are we looking for?

The Programs Officer will support the design, implementation, and reporting of both local and international programs. This includes assisting with emergency and welfare projects. This role is essential in maintaining donor compliance, program quality, and partner coordination. The Programs Officer will also contribute to proposal development, project cycle management, and capacity building for local and international partners.

The role requires close collaboration with internal teams and external stakeholders, including not-for-profit and community-based organisations. It will involve project oversight, strategic input and strong written communication, particularly in the development of reports and proposals.

The Programs Officer reports to the Director of Programs and Institutional Relations, contributing to departmental strategy and priority projects. The role may flexibly support evolving organisational needs while maintaining a focus on program coordination, development, and partner engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Coordination & Management – Oversee and support local/international projects, ensuring delivery, compliance with budgets/timelines, and reporting requirements.
• Emergency & Development Support – Assist with IRAUS-led or partner-led welfare, emergency, and development initiatives.
• Program Development – Conduct needs assessments, develop proposals/concept notes, identify funding opportunities, and prepare donor/partner reports.
• Capacity Building – Strengthen partner organisations through training, compliance support, and guidance on financial management, safeguarding, and project quality.
• Monitoring & Evaluation (MEAL) – Implement MEAL systems, analyse data, and promote accountability and learning across projects.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Build relationships with partners, CALD communities, and represent IRAUS in sector meetings/forums.
• Communications Support – Work with fundraising and communications teams to share impact stories and highlight program outcomes.

Skill Requirements

• Qualifications: Tertiary degree in International/Community Development, Social Work, or related field.
• Experience: 2+ years in program/project coordination, with skills in project development, M&E, community engagement, and donor reporting (desirable).
• Skills: Strong written/verbal communication, cross-cultural abilities, proficiency in Microsoft Office/365, knowledge of charity sector/standards, and strong organisational skills.
• Attributes: Passion for humanitarian work, alignment with Islamic Relief values, respect for Islamic principles, teamwork and independence.
• Commitment: Flexibility for occasional travel/after-hours work, adherence to policies (Child Protection, PSEAH, AML/CTF, Code of Conduct).
• Diversity: Equal opportunity employer; applicants from CALD, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and refugee backgrounds encouraged.
• Compliance: Background checks may apply before appointment.

For more information, please refer to the attached Job Description

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Applicants must have the right to work in Australia.

Islamic Relief is a child-safe organisation committed to the protection of the people we serve. Our recruitment and selection procedures are designed to ensure we only recruit people who are suitable and aligned with our standards on the safety of children and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse.

All appointments are subject to appropriate background checks and screening.

We promote diversity and equality in all our practices. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

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