The Weekly
his week, the ACFID Board held its quarterly meeting, which included a discussion with DFAT Secretary Jan Adams AO PSM on the sector’s challenges, response to USAID cuts, and future opportunities for growing the partnership between ANGOs and DFAT. The Board also noted it was the last meeting for both Lyn Morgain and Graham Strong and thanked them for their service to ACFID and the sector. We were pleased to have Shane Nichols, CEO for Good Return, made a casual appointment into the Vice President role vacated by Lyn. The Board has decided to hold a mid-year election process to fill vacancies and information about that will be sent out to all members the week of 31 March. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions.
Additionally, this week the Development Practice Committee (DPC) convened at ACFID, engaging in valuable discussions to strengthen sector practices. We extend our thanks to the committee members for their contributions.
Finally, I am pleased to welcome back Jessica Mackenzie, Chief of ACFID’s Policy and Advocacy team, following her parental leave. We look forward to her leadership during this critical period for our sector. Join me in thanking Alan Hewson for his work as Acting Director during the past 6 months.
To Action
ACFID CEO Recruitment – Last day to apply!
ACFID’s Board is seeking to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organisation. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of the international development sector, drive key advocacy efforts, and strengthen ACFID’s role as a unifying voice. Applications will close today at 5 pm. Know someone who would be a great fit? Help us spread the word!
More information here
To Attend
Briefing on ACFID’s Federal Budget Analysis
The launch of the Federal Budget for 2025-26 is currently scheduled for Tuesday, 25th March 2025. Our initial response will occur on budget night. ACFID’s full analysis of the budget will be available by 4:00 pm on 26th March, with the members briefing to follow on the morning of the 27th of March.
Date: Thursday 27 March
Time: 10am-12pm (AEDT)
To participate please register via this form and a link will be sent out shortly.
To Action
Safer World for All Electorate Forums
Join the campaign and attend an upcoming electorate forum, with events next week in Sydney, and in Brisbane in April. Dates and times are as follows below.
–Bradfield electorate (Northern Sydney)- Tuesday 25th March from 7:30 pm-9:00pm
–Brisbane – Saturday 5th April from 6:00- 8:00 pm.
Further details including registration can be found here
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To Action
Career Opportunity: Civil Society Engagement Advisor
ACFID is looking for a Civil Society Engagement Advisor to enhance Australia’s role in humanitarian efforts through improved civil-military-police collaboration. Applications will close at 5 pm AEDT on Wednesday 19 March 2025
More information here
To Attend
RDI Network Exchange 25
Registrations are now open for the RDI Network Exchange – a dynamic and inclusive event for development professionals working in the Indo-Pacific region. The RDI Network Exchange will be a space for researchers, practitioners and policymakers to engage in lively dialogue, knowledge exchange and learning, with an emphasis on future-focused thinking, new perspectives and diverse voices, the RDI Network Exchange will consider questions prompted by the conference theme of ‘Driving better development through evidence and collaboration’.
Date:Â 10th and 11th July 2025
Location: University of Technology Sydney, and online
Find out more about submitting an abstract here, or about the program and registration here.
Did you know? ACFID’s Shop is your one-stop platform for advertising, networking, and accessing exclusive sector resources.
What’s inside?
All Directories – Jobs, Events, Training, Consultants.
Regularly updated listings to keep you connected.
Easy access, anytime.
Explore the ACFID Shop today and stay ahead of what’s next!
To Attend
Meeting Invitation: Exploring Partnership Opportunities in Kiribati with Australia’s High Commissioner
Australia’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Kiribati, Mr Mark Foxe, has requested a meeting with ACFID members to explore partnership opportunities for development programming in Kiribati on Wednesday, 2nd April 15:00-16:00.
Australia is the largest bilateral donor to Kiribati and the High Commission is charged with delivering on key development priorities in education, health, social protection, critical infrastructure, and economic governance. Several ACFID members have active projects in the country.
When:Â 2 April
Time:15:00-16:00
Where: Register here
To Attend
AP4D Expert Panel Discussion –Â Development disruption: What does it mean for Australia?
The Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D) is hosting a Panel Discussion on 27 March.
2025 has already been a brutal year for the development sector. The dismantling of USAID has dominated headlines, but it is symptomatic of a broader trend among Western donors. What comes next – and what should Australia’s response be?
Join us next week to hear from an expert panel on the role of development, why it’s in Australia’s interest, and how the next government can seize on development opportunities to shape a world that Australians want to live in.
Speakers include:
- Matthew Maury, Interim CEO of the Australian Council for International Development
- Dr Jenny Gordon, Nonresident Fellow at the Lowy Institute and Honorary Professor at the Centre for Social Research and Methods at the Australian National University
- Nathan Hansford, CEO of the International Development Contractors Community
- Mira Sulistiyanto, Senior Analyst at the Development Intelligence Lab
- Bethany Allen, Head of China Investigations and Analysis at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Date: Thursday 27 March
Time: 1:00-2:00pm (Canberra time)
Register: via Zoom at this link
To Attend
Briefing with Australia’s Incoming Head of the Representative Office in Ramallah
ACFID is coordinating a briefing with Australia’s incoming Head of the Representative Office in Ramallah.The briefing will take place at 4-5pm on Monday, 7 April virtually and in-person at ACFID’s office in Deakin. To note: a prep meeting for will take place on Tues 1st April 12-1 pm to discuss key areas of focus for the briefing. To register interest in attending:Â Ramallah pre-posting consultation. Please contact Naomi at [email protected] with any questions.
Date:Â Monday 7 April
Time: 4-5pm
Location: Via Teams or in-person at ACFID’s Office
Register to attend:Â Ramallah pre-posting consultation
United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA) ACT event – Gaza, Relief Under Siege
Join UNAA ACT for an urgent online discussion on humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza with co-host Roger Hearn, Director of Relief and Social Services
at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), for an important update on Gaza.Date: Thursday 27th March 2025 6:30-7:30 pm
Location: Online
Further details can be found here.
To Action
DFAT invites international NGOs to submit proposals for civil society strengthening in Kiribati
DFAT have invited ACFID members to submit proposals for the below grant opportunity.
The Australian High Commission in Kiribati is looking for an intergovernmental organisation or international non-government organisation to deliver a project to strengthen the nascent NGO and civil society sector in Kiribati as part of the Kiribati Leadership, Engagement and Accountability for Development (KiriLEAD) program. The project’s objective is to build the capacity of local organisations, thereby allowing them to access increased funding from donors and deliver inclusive and effective programs.
The maximum grant amount available for this project is up to AUD 3 million, with completion by 31 December 2028. Proposals are due by 14 March 2025. We understand that DFAT has not advertised this invitation publicly. If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please reach out to Alan Hewson, at: [email protected] for further information.
To Action
Climate Policy and Practice Community Meeting: Measuring Resilience in a Changing Climate
The CoP will be delving into how members approach and measure resilience in their next meeting. We will have a fantastic guest presenter, Patrick Bolte, Director at Banyaneer, who will be sharing Banyaneer’s Resilience Radar Tool.
When: Monday 24th March
Time: 1:30-3:00 pm
To attend: Join the CPPC and find the event here
JobsÂ
Last day to apply
Australian Council For International Development (ACFID) | Chief Executive Officer
Read more and Apply here
Consultants
Training
Child Safeguarding Focal Point Training | Register here
Facilitation Skills Training for International Development and Humanitarian Actors | Register here
Evaluating Place-Based Approaches – Clear Horizon | Register here
Measurement, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) – Clear Horizon | Register here
Most Significant Change – Clear Horizon | Register here
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Upcoming Events
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 Date |
Event |
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24 March |
Climate Policy and Practice Community – Guest Speaker |
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25 March |
DFAT NGO Accelerator – Global Development Leadership Dialogue # 4 |
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27 March |
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27 March |
United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA) ACT event – Gaza, Relief Under Siege |
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1 & 2 April |
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7 April |
Briefing with Australia’s Incoming Head of the Representative Office in Ramallah |