ADRA Australia

Commitment: Full-time - Two Years Maximum Term

Location: WAHROONGA, Sydney

About the role The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Australia is seeking a Church Engagement Officer who is passionate about developing and managing relationships between ADRA Australia and Seventh-day Adventist churches, ministries, schools, and other Adventist entities across Australia.

By engaging with church leaders, ministries, schools, and volunteers, you will inspire greater participation in ADRA Australia offerings, fundraising campaigns, and community engagement activities. Your efforts will increase awareness of ADRA’s work, strengthen engagement with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and contribute to…

In this role, you will develop and manage a network of ADRA Champions, supporting volunteers who serve as ambassadors for ADRA within their local churches and communities. You will also collaborate closely with Conference ADRA Directors, Regional Managers, and Emergency Management teams to maximise church participation and strengthen connections across the Adventist network.

Living out ADRA's values of being Connected, Courageous, and Compassionate, you will thrive in this outward-facing, relational role, where your passion for service and ability to motivate others will expand ADRA’s impact through a growing network of dedicated church partners.

The successful applicant must have the legal right to live and work in Australia at the time of application.

About ADRA Australia The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is the official humanitarian agency of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. As part of the global ADRA network, which reaches into more than 110 countries, we are motivated by our faith, to enable people and communities in Australia, the South Pacific, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, to improve their health, education and livelihoods, and assist people to prepare for and recover from disasters in Australia and around the world.

ADRA Australia holds full accreditation with the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and is a member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).

Our Values - We conduct our work by being:

Connected - working collaboratively for the best outcome for those living in poverty or distress.

Courageous - persevering through challenging situations.

Compassionate – empathising with the communities we work with and with each other.

About the Supporter Engagement Team The Church Engagement Officer is appointed by ADRA Australia ADCOM and reports to the Supporter Engagement Director.

The Supporter Engagement team works collaboratively with the following ADRA Australia teams:

- Emergency Management
- Finance/IT
- International Programs
- National Programs
- People and Culture

SELECTION CRITERIA

- Commitment to ADRA’s purpose, values, and a positive work culture.
- Commitment to a Christian work environment and code of conduct that is respectful of the beliefs and practices of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
- Strategic thinking and planning: Ability to develop and implement strategies to increase church participation and revenue, with a focus on sustainable growth and volunteer engagement.
- Relationship‑building skills:



Proven ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with people at all levels and to build an effective network of contacts.
- Communication skills: Strong communication skills including presenting information with clarity to a broad audience, excellent public speaking skills, and a proven ability to prepare and deliver impactful presentations.
- Experience in account management, sales or fundraising: Demonstrated experience in developing relationships that result in financial targets being achieved.
- Tertiary qualifications in relevant discipline or demonstrated transferable skills in a similar role. 5+ years’ experience in sales, business development, account management, fundraising and/or not‑for‑profit sector.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office with confidence in data management.
- Experience engaging with churches, ministries, schools, or faith‑based organisations.
- Demonstrated ability to grow fundraising income and stakeholder engagement.
- Ability to work collaboratively with Conference ADRA Directors, Regional Managers, and cross‑functional teams.
- Experience coordinating volunteers, community engagement initiatives, or ambassador/champion programmes.
- Ability to travel within Australia.
- Familiarity with the structure and work dynamics of the Seventh‑day Adventist Church at local and conference levels is preferred.
- Volunteer or team management: Experience in identifying, onboarding, managing, and inspiring volunteers or a team, particularly in a faith‑based context, is preferred.
- Experience engaging with schools, ministries, community groups, or fundraising initiatives.
- Experience presenting to groups and representing an organisation at events, churches, camps, or workshops.

RELEVANT COMPETENCIES

Relating and Networking

Establishes good relationships with individuals both internally and externally; relates well to people at all levels; builds wide and effective networks of contacts; uses humour appropriately to bring warmth to relationships with others.

Persuading and Influencing

Gains clear agreement and commitment from others by persuading, convincing and negotiating; makes effective use of political processes to influence and persuade others; promotes ideas on behalf of oneself or others; makes a strong personal impact on others; takes care to manage one’s impression on others.

Presenting and Communicating

Speaks fluently; expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly; makes presentations and undertakes public speaking with skill and confidence; responds quickly to the needs of the audience and to their reactions and feedback; projects credibility.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

CHURCH ENGAGEMENT

- Develop a church acquisition and engagement strategy that stewards churches, increases engagement, and cultivates churches to increase their support of ADRA Australia offerings (2 × per year) and other campaigns.
- Assist with strategic direction for conference Big Camp engagement.
- Present at churches,



big camps and community events to encourage and grow engagement and support of ADRA Australia on an ongoing basis.
- Work closely with Conference ADRA Directors/Regional Managers (CADs/RMs) and Emergency Management (EM) team to maximise church participation in the ADRA Australia offerings and other fundraising campaigns.
- Participate in other church related activities as required.
- Consistently reflects the mission and values of ADRA Australia and the Seventh‑day Adventist (SDA) Church.
- Visit each conference once a year.
- 90%+ churches participating in offerings.
- Present at SDA churches and attend conference Big Camps and fundraising events as required.
- Revenue from church activities grows each year as per budget targets.
- Attend major National Programs meetings with CADs/RMs and EM Team members to optimise collaboration.

ADRA CHAMPION PROGRAM

- Develop and maintain an ADRA Champions program that consistently attracts church members to join and feel part of the ADRA ministry.
- Ensure communications for offerings are received and utilised by ADRA Champions.
- The ADRA Champions program is functional and consistently attracts church members to join.
- 60%+ churches with an ADRA Champion.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND FUNDRAISING

- Develop and build relationships and engagement with church ministries, schools, and other Adventist entities.
- Oversee and grow community fundraising within church ministries and entities.
- Attend events and workshops with church ministries and schools.
- Revenue from community fundraising grows each year as per budget targets.

OTHER DUTIES

- Other duties as assigned by the Supporter Engagement Director as needed/applicable.

CONDITIONS

- At the time of application, the successful applicant will already have the legal right to live and work in Australia.
- Commitment to abide by the ADRA Australia Code of Conduct and organisational policies and procedures. A copy of relevant policies is available on request.
- ADRA Australia takes the prevention of sexual misconduct, harassment and child safeguarding seriously and screens applicants for suitability. The successful applicant will be required to obtain a police check for each country in which the individual has lived for 12 months or longer over the last five years, and for the individual's country of citizenship (including dual citizenship holders). The successful applicant will need to provide their consent to a criminal record check. ADRA Australia recognises that in limited instances it may prove impossible to obtain a reliable criminal record check. In such circumstances a statutory declaration outlining efforts made to obtain a foreign police check, and disclosing any charges and spent convictions may be accepted.
- Applicants will be requested to disclose whether or not they have had a substantiated Sexual Exploitation Abuse or Harassment claim of any nature made against them in Australia or overseas. This is included in the Employment Application Form.

CONTACT

People & Culture Manager

ADRA Australia

Phone +61 2 9473 9525 or email: [email protected].

ADRA Australia is an inclusive and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.

The appointing body reserves the right to fill this position at its discretion and to close applications early.

See Job Description and Employment Application Form following:

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