The Weekly
Matthew Maury, what is at the top of your mind this week?
Earlier this week, ACFID hosted the launch of the ​Australian NGOs as Strategic Delivery Partners: A Sector Reveiw​ at Parliament House. Our thanks to the many of you who joined us for the event – it was a great turnout. We were pleased to have Minister of International Development Dr Aly join as the keynote speaker along with other parliamentarians and many DFAT staff in attendance. The report reflects the great work and thought leadership that our Development Practice Committee helps to lead (nominations for new members open now) – and provides a great evidence-based analysis of the vital role that Australian NGOs play as high impact partners. Thanks as well to the many members and partners who contributed case studies to the report. Please use the report as a resource for your agency – and help us amplify its reach. Details and communications resources are provided below.
On Thursday this week, ACFID will be presenting evidence to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade inquiry into the role of Australia’s international development program in preventing conflict. We expect that this inquiry will result in recommendations to the government about the vital role ANGOs play in building peace and security in the region through locally led community work.
We will also be hosting an online meeting on Thursday with the Ambassador for Gender Equality, Michelle O’Byrne, to discuss the implications of the anti-rights movement on our member’s work – with several of you presenting case studies of your projects that are progressing gender justice. To be more involved in these sorts of discussions please join our Gender Community of Practice.
This week we also have a Finance COP meeting in Melbourne and an HR COP meeting in Sydney. Both of these are great resource groups and peer networks for your relevant teams!  To learn more about any of our COPs feel free to contact Anne Fitzpatrick ​[email protected]​.
Weekly Data Snapshot
World Water Day – 22nd March
Observed by the United Nations on 22 March, ​World Water Day​ draws attention to the unequal impacts of the global water crisis and calls for a transformative, rights‑based approach that places women’s voices, leadership and agency at the centre of delivering inclusive and sustainable water solutions.
Reflecting on these priorities, the FY 23-24 saw ACFID’s members report $38.9 million in total funding for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects, across 35 countries.
Explore our ​Interactive Aid Map​ for more data.
To Action
ANGOs as Strategic Delivery Partners – Report Launch
ACFID has launched the ANGOs as Strategic Delivery Partners: A Sector Review, highlighting the important role Australian NGOs play in delivering development outcomes across the Indo-Pacific.
The report demonstrates how Australian NGOs act as strategic partners, contributing trusted expertise, long-term relationships, and locally led approaches that strengthen Australia’s development and humanitarian engagement.
We encourage members to help amplify the report through your networks and channels.
Communications Kit here | Full Report here | Photos from the event here
To Join
NEW DATE! Thursday 16 April 2026 Racial Justice Training
By popular demand, ACFID is releasing a third date for the racial justice training with Navanita Bhattacharyra!Â
Over March and April, ACFID members will be able to undertake racial justice training to derstand and implement racial justice and anti-racism strategies in their workplace. The training will also support members meet the new ACFID Code Commitments related to Anti-Racism and Racial Justice.Â
There will be pre-reading required for this workshop. Â
Training Option 1: Tuesday 31st March 2026, 1-4pm AEDT. Register here
Training Option 2: Thursday 9th April 2026, 10am-1pm AEST. Register here
Training Option 3: Thursday 16 April 2026, 1-4pm AEST. Register here
To Action
Palestine Development Partnership Plan
DFAT has contacted us to coordinate engagement with members regarding a new Development Partnership Plan for Palestine. Please get in touch with [email protected] if you are interested in being involved.
To Action
Nominations Open: Development Practice Committee
ACFID member staff are invited to nominate for up to four vacancies on the Development Practice Committee (DPC)—a key advisory group that provides an avenue for committee members to engage with and input to the thematic work of ACFID, develop thought leadership and practice guidance for ACFID’s members, and to deep-dive on policy and practice conversations that impact the work of our membership.
The new terms will run June 2026 – June 2029. The DPC particularly welcomes nominations from those with experience in climate action, locally led action, GEDSI, development policy, and staff from smaller member agencies.
Nominations close 10 April 2026.
Learn more about the committee ​here​ and view the Terms of Reference ​here​.
To nominate, please email your CV and a short (≤1 page) statement addressing the Terms of Reference to ​[email protected].​
To Join
ACFID Opportunity: Safeguarding Training Consultancy
ACFID is seeking an experienced practitioner to produce a suite of high‑quality safeguarding learning materials that reflect current good practice, donor expectations, and the needs of ACFID members. This work includes developing 3–4 new safeguarding e‑learning modules with accompanying facilitation guides and updating the existing Introduction to Safeguarding module.
ACFID members are encouraged to ​share the Terms of Reference​ with interested consultants or networks. Applications are due 5pm (AEDT) Thursday 2 April.
This work is being co‑funded by ACFID and a group of members. If your organisation is interested in contributing to co‑funding and helping shape the direction of the new modules through the Steering Group, please contact Emily Moreton at ​[email protected]​
To Register
2026 National Defence Seminar
ACFID members are invited to attend the 2026 National Defence Seminar, hosted by the Australian War College. The seminar will explore contemporary strategic challenges, Australia’s evolving approach to national defence, and developments in preparedness and whole-of-nation collaboration.
This year’s program will examine the strategic environment following the 2024 National Defence Strategy, including collective deterrence, national security priorities, and current Defence initiatives such as the National Support Concept and force modernisation. INGO representation would be a useful inclusion to bring a humanitarian perspective to the discussion.
Date: 21 May 2026
For more information and registration, please visit ​here​ and share this opportunity with colleagues working in this area
Jobs
Management Accountant | ACFID | Read more ​here. ​
Consultants
Clear Horizon – 15% off MEL courses
Clear Horizon is a values-driven, B-Corp certified, women-led company. We support teams and organisations to monitor, evaluate, learn and ultimately to improve the impact of their strategies, programs and initiatives. We have nearly 20 years of experience in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) across the international development sector, including working with DFAT, MFAT, World Bank, United Nations, INGOs and managing contractors. We work across a range of sectors including social and economic development, gender equality, disability inclusion, democracy and civil society strengthening, health, education, infrastructure, climate change and disaster resilience, and agriculture.
We are currently offering the ACFID Network 15% off the cost of five courses commencing in 2026. Check them out here!
Consultants
Exclusive Offer – Free cyber security audits for ACFID members
OSKY have supported ACFID and its members since 2018 and are now generously offering a limited number of complimentary website cyber security audits. You will receive a plain-English report mapped to the ASD Essential Eight with a 30-day action plan, plus an optional 30-minute debrief.Places are limited and opt-in.
Upcoming Events
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Date  |
Events  |
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31 March |
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1 April  |
ACFID Connect: The UN80 Initiative and UN Development System Reform |
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9 April |
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16 April  |
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13 – 14 October  |
ACFID National Conference 2026Â |