The Weekly

This is the first week that our ACFID Member newsletter is being sent on Wednesday (rather than Friday) – this change has been made in a response to members who said Friday was not a good time to get a weekly newsletter. Please continue to share your feedback about this newsletter (and any aspect of ACFID work) – we always listen and consider how we can respond in ways that support our members! You can reach me always reach me via ​[email protected]​

On Thursday this week, the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defense Dialogue (AP4D) will hold a webinar on ​“Education as a Tool of Statecraft”​, sharing findings from their recent report and contributing to discussions on the strategic role of education in advancing development and foreign policy objectives. This is a milestone event – the last formal AP4D event after an amazing five years of impact. The ​AP4D website​will continue to be hosted by ACFID into the future and if you have not recently visited it is worth a look at the valuable collection of related reports and events. Huge thanks to Melissa Conley Tyler for her visionary leadership of AP4D and the many ways it has positively impacted ACFID’s members and the sector at large. .

Finally, I want to remind all our members that ACFID will hold a Special General Meeting on 27 February, and we would love to have all of our members participate – either by registering to attend or filling in a proxy (which will also count towards you attending and must be submitted by the 25th of March). The main purpose of the SGM is to announce the election results for our Board vacancy appointment. It is also a chance for members to hear from our President Virginia Haussegger and also some ACFID news updates from me.  I hope to see you there (​email Rae Lans​ if you have any questions).

Further details on these events and other opportunities are included below.

Weekly Data Shapshot

In this week’s snapshot, we’re celebrating the amazing ways people have connected with us! Throughout FY 2024–25, more than 1,000 individual people joined at least one ACFID event – spanning everything from workshops to webinars and more. It’s great to see such strong engagement across our community.

Keen to get involved? Check out more of the events we’re running through the ​​MYACFID platform events page!

To Attend

Lebanon HOM briefing with ACFID members 

Australia’s Ambassador-designate to Lebanon has requested a meeting with ACFID members to discuss Australia’s development priorities in the country. 

Please note that we will also organise a prep meeting prior to the briefing, to coordinate with members, agree on key messages, and finalise a meeting agenda. These details will be shared with participants who have registered for the briefing.  

The Ambassador-designate’s role in Beirut will include responsibility for Australia’s aid program in Lebanon, aligned with Australia’s International Development Policy, and responsive to the Lebanon’s severe economic crisis, domestic political instability, and humanitarian needs exacerbated by ongoing conflicts in the region. 

​​The Ambassador-designate has expressed interest in hearing from members about relevant development issues in the region. Several ACFID members have active projects in Lebanon, and in Syria, Jordan and Palestine.  

 Date: Thursday 12 March 2026 

Time: 11am-12pm (Canberra time) 

Venue: Online (Teams link will be sent) 

Register ​here​ to receive calendar invites for the briefing and prep meeting.​

For quires,email ​[email protected].

To Attend

ACFID Connect Session: DFAT Risk and Safeguarding Requirements

​​The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) will join us to delve into their procurement process. In 2024-25, NGOs accounted for only 9% of all DFAT procurement tenders, down from 13% in 2023-24. More importantly, none of these bids were won by NGOs in either of these years.

​​NGOs are typically 10% of attendees at procurement-related events and industry briefings, and participation could be higher. Knowledge gaps are among the factors that limit NGO participation in DFAT procurement tenders.

To address the gaps that limit NGO participation in DFAT procurement, ACFID hosted the first session of this series in December 2025, focused on doing business with DFAT and understanding its tender requirements. This second session will provide an overview of DFAT’s Development Risk Management framework, including links to implementation of investments including roles and accountabilities; ways of working and sharing of risk information and reports; and the safeguards requirements that apply to DFAT business with a focus on policies relating to Child Protection, Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment, and Environmental and Social Safeguards.

Date: Tuesday 17 March 2026

Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm (Canberra time)

Venue: Online (Teams link will be sent)

Register ​here.​  ​For quires,email ​​[email protected].

To Join

Join the ACFID Health Community of Practice (CoP)

ACFID has established a Health Community of Practice (CoP), open to all ACFID members. Multiple people from the same organisation are welcome to join.

The Health CoP provides a collaborative forum for members to engage on regional, global, and multilateral health issues. It supports shared learning on health programming, policy, and advocacy, with a focus on advancing health equity and strengthening health systems.

Members are also encouraged to get in touch if they are interested in co-convening the Health CoP. Convenors play a key role in helping shape priorities, facilitate discussions, and support collaboration across the group.

Please contact ​[email protected]​ if you would like to discuss convening or have any further questions about the Health CoP. ​

To Attend

Registrations open: Free Trainings on Safe, Responsible and Effective AI Usage

ACFID is offering a free four‑session training program on Safe, Responsible and Effective AI usage for all staff of our members. Developed with Plan International Australia, AVPN and The University of Melbourne’s Centre for AI and Digital Ethics, the course covers core concepts and practical skills for using AI in Development and Humanitarian contexts. Participants will work through resource packs and join facilitated group sessions over 6–8 weeks. 

Click ​here​ to learn more and register.​​

To Attend

What’s on in Sydney?  Sydney-siders, ACFID will be in town with a few events next month. Make sure you sign up for:

Introduction to the Sector Workshop

ACFID will be hosting a series of Introduction to the International Development and Humanitarian Sector Workshops in March. These participatory face-to-face events will include an overview of the history of international development and humanitarian action; an introduction to ACFID’s Code and role in the sector; guest speakers from a range of ACFID’s members; and, opportunities for networking and further learning.

Date: 4 March 2026, register ​here​

ACFID CEO Connects: Sydney

As part of our new ACFID CEO Connects series, we invite Sydney based CEOs to join us for a chance to network, share, and hear from peers about their agencies’ work with AI .

Date: 4 March 2026, 3:00pm-5:00pm, register ​here​

To Attend

ACFID CEO Connects: Melbourne

As part of our new ACFID CEO Connects series, we invite Melbourne based CEOs to join us in March. 

Date: 25 March 2026

Time: 3:00PM-5:00PM (AEDT)

Venue:Save the Children Office

Register ​here

To Action

ACFID Conference 2026 – Call out for Photos!

As we prepare for the 2026 ACFID National Conference, we’re inviting members to help showcase the impact of Australia’s development and humanitarian sector.

If your organisation has recent, high-quality images that capture your work in action — whether in communities, partnerships, advocacy, or program delivery — we would love to feature them as part of the Conference. These images will be used across conference materials and visuals, highlighting the collective contribution of ACFID members.

Please send your photos to​ [email protected] ​including any relevant captions or photo credits.

We look forward to showcasing your work.

To Consider

COP31 Presidency Youth Climate Champion role

DCCEEW has just released an exciting opportunity for the role of Presidency Youth Climate Champion for COP31. This is a significant leadership opportunity that will shape how youth participation is designed and supported across COP31 and international climate processes. It is open to Australian citizens between the ages of 18-35 with demonstrated experience in youth engagement and climate related work. For further information and to apply, ​please read more here.

To Attend

Risk and Compliance CoP – Inaugural meeting this week

Join the newly formed Risk and Compliance CoP for their first meeting where members will meet each other, do some planning and explore the current risk and compliance landscape.

Date: Thursday 19th February

Time: 2:00-3:00 pm AEDT

To join: event details in the Communities Platform. 

For queries, email ​[email protected]

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!

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.

​​​Read more and reserve a place here.

Jobs

Sector Standards and Practice Lead | ACFID | Read more here. 

Upcoming Events