Advisor Grants and Community Projects - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

The Healing Foundation; Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Healing Foundation is seeking an Advisor, Grants and Community Projects for a 12-month fixed-term contract in Australia. The role focuses on supporting Stolen Generations survivors, descendants and communities through grants and community-led projects.

You will maintain relationships with organisations, guide them through grant rounds, and work with a cross‑functional Programs team to shape funding delivery and program improvements.

Qualifications

• Experience in grants, community programs, project coordination, or funding initiatives.
• Strong written communication skills are essential.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with organisations and communities.
• Experience with grants management systems or equivalent tooling is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support Stolen Generations Organisations to develop grant applications and community projects.
• Assist with day-to-day delivery of grant rounds from applications to assessment and contract management.
• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with Stolen Generations Organisations and communities.
• Monitor grant progress and reporting obligations, escalating issues as needed.
• Contribute to grant performance reports, program insights and communications materials.
• Coordinate grants and community projects across the team.

Skills

Grants management

Stakeholder engagement

Project coordination

Written communication

Relationship building

SmartyGrants

SharePoint

Tools

SmartyGrants

SharePoint

Job description

Advisor Grants and Community Projects - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

This is an opportunity to contribute to nationally significant work that supports Stolen Generations survivors, descendants and communities. As Advisor, Grants and Community Projects, you’ll help ensure funding reaches organisations delivering healing, truth-telling, cultural strengthening and community-led initiatives across Australia.

A significant part of the job is maintaining relationships with those organisations and supporting them through each grant round.

You’ll partner with Stolen Generations Organisations across Australia, support community-led initiatives and contribute to shaping how the Foundation delivers funding and community projects into the future.

You’ll join the Foundation’s Programs team, a supportive and collaborative group that values strong relationships, shared learning and collective problem-solving to deliver meaningful outcomes for Stolen Generations survivors, descendants and communities.

Why it's worth a look

This role offers a unique combination of grants management, stakeholder engagement and project advisory work. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with community organisations across Australia, support important funding decisions and contribute to the ongoing development of the Foundation’s grants program.

It’s a role with variety, autonomy and scope to influence how work is delivered, while being part of a supportive team that encourages learning, innovation and continuous improvement.

The opportunity

It’s an exciting time to join The Healing Foundation. With the 30th anniversary of the Bringing Them Home report approaching in 2027 and the delivery of the Foundation’s From Sorry to Action plan underway, there is significant work ahead to support healing and strengthen outcomes for Stolen Generations survivors, descendants and communities.

You’ll have the opportunity to get involved from day one, working across active grant rounds and community projects while building relationships with organisations across Australia. It’s a role that offers variety, purpose and the chance to make a tangible contribution to work of national significance.

What you’ll get stuck into

• Support Stolen Generations Organisations to develop grant applications and community projects by providing advice, information and practical guidance throughout the funding process.
• Support the day-to-day delivery of grant rounds, from applications, assessment contract management.
• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with Stolen Generations Organisations, survivors, descendants and communities, providing ongoing support throughout the grants and community projects lifecycle.
• Monitor grant progress, reporting obligations and emerging risks, escalating issues appropriately and supporting compliant grant management practices.
• Participate in peer assessment with partner organisations.
• Prepare and contribute to grant performance reports, monitoring activities and program insights that support decision-making and demonstrate impact.
• Contribute to grant-related communications, resources and information materials for organisations and communities.
• Manage grants administration and records in SmartyGrants and Sharepoint.
• Identify opportunities to improve grants administration, applicant experience and program delivery, contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across the Foundation.
• Coordinate grants and community projects, exercising initiative and judgement while drawing on support and expertise across the team.
• Represent the Foundation at meetings, forums and engagement activities, sharing insights that support program development and continuous improvement.

You’ll probably love this role if…

You’re a relationship-focused professional who enjoys working with people and building trust over time. You communicate clearly, approach challenges constructively and take pride in supporting stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.

You’re organised and adaptable, able to manage competing priorities while maintaining a strong attention to detail. When commitments are made, you follow through and take ownership of delivering high-quality work.

You’re naturally curious and proactive. You ask questions, seek to understand the bigger picture and look for opportunities to improve processes, systems and ways of working. You enjoy working collaboratively and contributing ideas that help strengthen programs and outcomes.

You’ll bring experience in grants, community programs, project coordination, funding initiatives or a related field, along with strong written communication skills and the ability to prepare clear and professional correspondence, reports and funding documentation.

Experience working with grants management systems, such as SmartyGrants, would be advantageous but is not essential. We’re open to candidates from a range of professional backgrounds who can demonstrate transferable skills and a commitment to learning.

Most importantly, you’ll have an appreciation of the experiences and priorities of Stolen Generations survivors and descendants and be comfortable working in a culturally responsive and trauma-aware environment. Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities or organisations is highly regarded.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

What you’ll get in return

You’ll join The Healing Foundation at a significant moment in its journey. As Australia approaches the 30th anniversary of the Bringing Them Home report in 2027 and the delivery of the Foundation’s From Sorry to Action plan continues, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant work that supports healing, truth-telling and community-led change.

This is a role where you can make a genuine impact from day one, working alongside Stolen Generations Organisations, survivors, descendants and communities to support initiatives that create lasting outcomes.

You’ll be part of a supportive and collaborative team that values learning, initiative and shared success. We work from a strengths-based, trauma-aware and culturally responsive approach, and are committed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination. You’ll be encouraged to bring your ideas, grow your skills and contribute to work that matters.

The practical stuff

• Location: Brisbane or Canberra
• Arrangement: Hybrid
• Employment type: Fixed term, 12 months, full-time (38 hours per week)
• Team: Programs team
• Start date: As soon as possible