Position Description
Personal Assistant to the Australian Program Director – Parental Leave

Department: Australian Program Team Location
Tearfund’s National
Office (Blackburn, VIC)

Reports To: Australian Program Director (APD) Direct Reports None

Type:
21 hours per week, could be worked
across 3 - 5 days if desired
Fixed term 6 months position

Last Updated Sept 2026

Position Purpose
The Australian Program Director (APD) oversees Tearfund’s supporter engagement work in Australia including;
fundraising, church engagement, communications, education, marketing and advocacy. The role of the Personal
Assistant (PA) to the APD is critical in supporting Tearfund’s mission to engage Australian Christians to make
biblically shaped responses to poverty and injustice.

The PA supports the APD and manages a portfolio of administrative responsibilities as part of their support for the
Australian Program (AP) including supporting the Australian Program Leadership Team (APLT) and wider AP
department as directed.

Position Accountabilities
Accountability Outcome
Tearfund Mission and Values
This position furthers Tearfund’s mission by
providing administrative support to the APD.

The Australian Program Director is supported by
the PA in delivering towards Tearfund’s strategic
goals

Essential

Australian Program Director

1. Provide regular administrative support

for the APD including managing
correspondence, communications,
calendars, record keeping and other
tasks as assigned.

2. Meet with the APD regularly,
maintaining transparent communication
regarding tasks, goals and priorities.

3. Develop forward planning to prepare
draft memos and reports based on
upcoming meeting needs (in
consultation with APD)

4. Manage communication flow on behalf
of the APD from both internal and
external stakeholders, helping to triage
and prioritise requests.

5. Project managing department
reporting and compliance (Board, APLT,
ELT, Annual Report and ACFID Code
CSA)

1. The APD is supported to prioritise

effectively and focus their time and
energy on team management and
strategic items knowing that their PA is
across the details of the day-to-day.

2. A strong working partnership with the APD
that includes a good understanding of
APD’s work schedule and priorities and a
proactive workload management of both
self and APD

3. Administrative aspects of documentation
required by the APD is pre-prepared,
enabling completion in a timely and
efficient manner

4. Work completed on time and in order of
importance. APD diary managed well and
travel plans are prepared in a timely
manner.

5. Responses are timely and professional,
urgent matters are escalated to the
appropriate person.

6. Reporting is completed by the various
stakeholders in a timely and accurate
manner.

55%

Accountability Outcome
Australian Programs Team

1. Assist with the preparation and

circulation of agendas, reports and
other papers required for the AP
Leadership Team meetings.

2. Liaise with various stakeholders as




directed by the APD, (particularly the
APLT) about work tasks, ensuring clear
communication and accountability.

3. As advised by APD, support key
department activities in the creation of
communications and resources.

4. Work with APD and other relevant staff
in supporting the administration and
delivery of events.

5. Coordinate internal events for the
Australian Program Team as requested
by the APD.

1. The APD and AP Leadership Team find the

required information is accurate,
accessible and organised logically

2. Stakeholders are clear on their
deliverables and the APD is kept informed
of progress. The service is supportive and
friendly.

3. Timely, approved assistance is given to
teams in the support of department
activities and goals.

4. Key events for APD are run strategically
and effectively.

5. Logistics for booking travel,
accommodation, venues and meals for
meetings are organised so that the event
runs smoothly. Helping to build team
culture and growth.

40%

Organisational Citizenship

1. Work collaboratively with team

members, role model Tearfund’s
Christian values and be a positive
example for both supporters and
Tearfund staff.

2. Actively participate in the Christian
spiritual life of Tearfund.

3. Support other administrative needs
across Tearfund as requested by APD.

1. Tearfund’s Christian values are lived out.

Stakeholders experience excellence in
engagement. Models a ‘One Tearfund’
approach to work.

2. Lead devotions as part of a roster.
Participation in annual Staff Gathering.
Provide prayer support as appropriate.

3. Ensure administrative needs of Tearfund
are supported as/when determined by
APD.

5%

Position Requirements
Must Have o Active Christian faith and strong commitment to Tearfund’s Christian mission, values and

ethos

o Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to cooperatively, to negotiate well and to build
strong relationships both internally and externally

o Demonstrated commitment and practice of integrity and confidentiality

o Highly organised - able to manage multiple tasks and prioritise, and work efficiently to
deadlines in a calm and flexible manner

o Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and employ initiative to help problem solve

o Pro-active – can demonstrate a track record indicating strong ability to pre-emptively
anticipate administrative needs and priorities at a senior professional level, and to
schedule with foresight

o Superb verbal and written communication skills

o Excellent attention to detail, that is reflected across all levels of administrative work and
practice

o Excellent at managing workflows and keeping others informed of progress





o High-level competence with MS Office products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), email software,
project management software, databases, and Adobe tools

Highly Regarded o Relevant qualifications in the fields of business, administration, or similar and experience.
o Experience / expertise with CRM management and reporting

Working Environment
Tearfund’s Code of Conduct and policies set expectations for all of our staff. Everyone at Tearfund is responsible for
workplace safety both in terms of their own behaviour and taking action to resolve safety issues they become aware
of.

Tearfund is committed to safeguarding children, the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and any kind of bullying
or harassment. Tearfund uses child-safe recruitment and screening practices and requires staff to complete due
diligence checks such as a Working With Children Check and/or National Police Check and to advise Tearfund of any
changes to their circumstances in regards to Safeguarding related offences, during the term of their engagement.

The PA to APD will at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to Tearfund Australia's Safeguarding
Policies and Guidelines.

Tearfund values diversity and each staff member is expected to demonstrate a commitment to gender equality.

Key Position Relationships

Internal External
o The PA APD will develop a supportive and

qualified relationship with the Australian
Program Director.

o Australian Program Leadership Team (APLT)

o The PA of the APD will liaise regularly with other
Tearfund staff and volunteers providing
approachable support as a key contact at the
National Office for the Australian Programs Team.

o Interaction with other agencies, Tearfund
supporters, churches, and the general public.

Tearfund Mission
Tearfund Australia is a Christian development, relief and advocacy organisation responding to global poverty and
injustice.

Our vision is for a just and compassionate world in which all people have the opportunity to achieve their God-given
potential. We will

o Inform, challenge and empower Australian Christians to make biblically-shaped responses to poverty and
injustice.

o Support community-based Christian groups, churches and mission organisations around the world as they work
holistically with poor communities in development, relief and advocacy.

o Adhere to biblical teaching, and evaluate our work and attitudes in its light.
o Maintain a low-cost administration regime in order to maximize the funds allocated to project partners

Tearfund Values
As a faith-based Christian organization, Tearfund Australia seeks to adhere to biblical teaching and evaluate work and
attitudes in its light. Consequently, Tearfund Australia aspires to the following values:

A commitment to the poor
A commitment to the whole person
A commitment to justice
A commitment to prayer
A commitment to relationships

A commitment to participation
A commitment to excellence
A commitment to learn from others
A commitment to collaboration
A commitment to accountability

📌 Personal Assistant to the Australian Program Director - Parental Leave (Blackburn)
🏢 Tearfund Australia
📍 Blackburn