Regional Manager – South Australia
ADRA International
A complete application in a minute
Tailored resume and cover letter, ready to send.
Job summary
ADRA Australia is seeking a Regional Manager for South Australia to lead and oversee community projects, build strong relationships with churches and stakeholders, and align regional initiatives with national strategies. The role requires strategic thinking, operational oversight, and strong people skills to drive community transformation.
The Regional Manager will collaborate with the National Programs team and conferences, ensure compliant program delivery, and lead fundraising and grant
Qualifications
- 3+ years demonstrated leadership across staff, volunteers, and cross‑functional teams.
- Proven project management and community development experience.
- Experience engaging with churches, communities and funding partners.
- Experience in fundraising, grants and securing project funding.
- Excellent communication, organisation and relationship management.
- Commitment to ADRA's mission, values and faith-based ethos.
- Willingness to travel within South Australia (up to 100 days per year).
- Experience with faith-based, not-for-profit or humanitarian organisations.
- Experience managing community grants and government-funded projects.
- Knowledge of emergency management, disaster response, or volunteer mobilisation.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage ADRA operations across South Australia.
- Develop and oversee community projects with churches and volunteers.
- Collaborate with South Australian Conference and National Programs team.
- Identify funding opportunities and submit grant proposals.
- Oversee program delivery, budgets, and reporting.
- Engage volunteers and provide capacity-building.
Skills
Education
Job description
Adventist Development and Relief Agency Australia Ltd ADRA Australia ABN 85 109 435 618 Postal Address PO Box 129, Wahroonga NSW 2076 Toll Free 1800 242 372
Commitment: Full-time – (3 years maximum term contract)
Location: South Australia
ADRA Australia is seeking an experienced and organised Regional Manager to lead and oversee ADRA’s operations across South Australia. This role offers the opportunity to use strong leadership and people skills to guide the development, delivery, and monitoring of community projects. The Regional Manager will build and maintain strong relationships with local churches, volunteers, and key stakeholders, providing direction and support to equip them in serving their communities with impact. Working collaboratively with partnering Conference(s) and the ADRA Australia National Programs team, the Regional Manager ensures that regional initiatives are aligned with national strategies and standards. This position requires a balance of strategic planning, operational management, and relational engagement to strengthen ADRA’s presence in South Australia and enhance its contribution to community transformation. The successful applicant must have the legal right to live and work in Australia at the time of application. The Job Description for the role and the Employment Application Form are included at the end of this document.
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 120 countries, we are motivated by our faith, to enable people and communities in Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, Asia and Africa to improve their health and livelihoods and assist people to prepare for and recover from disasters 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) and the Australian Council for Social Services (ACOSS). 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.
The ADRA Regional Manager is appointed by the ADRA Australia ADCOM and reports to the Director of National Programs. The National Programs team works collaboratively with the following teams:
- Emergency Management
- Finance/IT
- International Programs
- People and Culture
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing staff, volunteers, and cross‑functional teams.
- Proven experience in project management and community development.
- Experience in stakeholder engagement, including working with churches, community organisations, and funding partners.
- Experience in fundraising, grant writing, and securing project funding.
- Excellent communication, organisational, and relationship management skills.
- Commitment to ADRA's mission, values, and the ethos of the Seventh‑day Adventist Church.
- Ability to travel within the state – no more than 100 days of travel per year.
- Experience working with faith‑based, not‑for‑profit or humanitarian organisations.
- Experience managing community grants and government‑funded projects.
- Knowledge of emergency management, disaster response, volunteer mobilisation or community resilience programmes.
Commitment to abide by the ADRA Australia Code of Conduct and organisational policies and procedures. Copies of relevant policies are available on request. ADRA takes the prevention of sexual misconduct, harassment and child protection 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 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 Job Application Form. Final applicants will be screened against the Adsafe* database as well. Adsafe’s check is to ensure no substantiated or outstanding investigations or allegations are attributed to an applicant within the Seventh‑day Adventist Church system in the South Pacific.
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 forms following.
Position Title: Regional Manager - South Australia Full / Part Time: Full Time – (3 years maximum term contract)
Connected Department: National Programs
Revised Date: October 2026
Courageous Reports To: National Programs Director
Compassionate Team Supervision: ADRA Staff and Volunteers in NSW
Purpose of Position: A basic statement that describes the intent of the position.
The ADRA SA Regional Manager is responsible for leading and managing ADRA’s operations across South Australia, ensuring the effective development, implementation, and oversight of community projects. This role fosters strong relationships with local churches, volunteers, and stakeholders, while collaborating closely with the South Australian Conference of the Seventh‑day Adventist Church and the ADRA Australia National Programs team to align regional initiatives with national strategies.
Behavioural Expectations: Our code of Conduct - How we do things in our organisation that underpins our values.
ADRA Australia Code of Conduct and related policies including WHS policies.
Key Competencies: The competencies, qualifications, skills and experience the person needs to do the role successfully.
ADRA Competency Framework: 1.2 Leading & Supervising, 2.1 Working with People, 6.1 Planning & Organising, 7.2 Coping with Pressure & Setbacks
Key Selection Criteria: A related diploma/degree with at least 3 years of proven experience in project management and community development; strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with experience managing volunteers; demonstrated ability to engage and collaborate with churches and communities; experience in fundraising and stakeholder engagement; excellent communication, organisational, and problem‑solving skills; and commitment to ADRA’s and the Seventh‑day Adventist Church’s mission and values.
Key Responsibilities: The things that the person needs to be responsible for to successfully fulfil the obligations of this position.
Areas of Responsibility Actions / Tasks / Objectives What is to be done in this area
Measures of Success / KPIs How job performance will be measured
Engage in the development of the National Programs strategy development and reviews.
Work closely with the National Programs team to ensure regional alignment with national strategies.
Participate in weekly planning and coordination meetings with National Programs staff.
Engagement at National Programs strategy development and reviews.
Weekly attendance at National Programs meetings and ADRA Australia weekly meetings.
Regular and valuable contributor to discussions Positive influence on team
Engage in the development of the National Programs strategy development and reviews.
Work closely with the National Programs team to ensure regional alignment with national strategies.
Participate in weekly planning and coordination meetings with National Programs staff.
Attendance at scheduled conference team meetings Positive Feedback from Conference President re engagement in
Monthly or bi-monthly catchups with assigned officer Regularly working from and embedded in the team at SA Conference
Office Regularly attending relevant SA Conference meetings (departmental
etc)
Identify community needs and opportunities for new project initiatives in collaboration with local churches and stakeholders.
Lead the design and development of project proposals with the support of the Program Development Coordinator, that align with ADRA’s mission and strategic priorities.
Proactively seek funding opportunities from local councils, philanthropic foundations, and government grants and other local funders.
Build and maintain relationships with funding bodies, including preparing and submitting high‑quality funding applications and grant proposals. (Federal Grants will be managed by the Grant
# of projects developed per year. # of churches or community groups trained in project development per year. # of successful funding submissions
Oversee the operations of ADRA community projects across NSW, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
Supervise all project managers and provide effective support to ensure that ADRA projects are running according to the approved proposal and budget.
Monitor project performance using ADRA’s reporting tools and frameworks, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external funding requirements.
Conduct regular site visits and evaluations to assess ADRA project progress, identify challenges, and implement solutions.
Ensure risk management practices are in place and adhered to across all projects.
Facilitate training and capacity‑building for ADRA project teams to enhance effectiveness and sustainability.
Prepare and submit timely reports to ADRA Australia’s National Programs team, including project outcomes, financial updates, and
Coordinate with finance and operations teams to manage project budgets, procurement, and resource allocation.
Assist in Op Shop matters when requested by Op Shop management team from head office.
# projects properly implemented, acquitted, monitored and reported within given timeframes.
# of project managers effectively supported to manage their projects # of churches or community groups trained in project management per year.
Data systems/platforms are regularly updated and maintained
Provide leadership and ongoing support to volunteer managers and key volunteers, ensuring clarity of roles, responsibilities and expectation and fostering a positive and inclusive environment that encourages retention and growth.
# of volunteer managers onboarded on ADRA’s purpose, values, volunteer manager role expectations and key policies.
# of volunteer managers and key volunteers who indicate that they feel supported and resourced effectively.
Recognise and celebrate volunteer contributions through appreciation events, awards, and regular communication.
Ensure volunteers are equipped with the necessary tools, resources, and training to carry out their roles safely and effectively.
Annual recognition of volunteers 100% of volunteers have been fully screened following ADRA’s procedures before commencement
Collaborating with the Church Engagement Officer to: • Identify and recruit ADRA Champions within local Seventh‑day Adventist churches across NSW to serve as key liaisons for ADRA’s mission and activities.
• Inspire and mobilise church communities to participate in fundraising initiatives such as ADRA Appeal, End‑of‑Year Campaigns, and Emergency Response Appeals.
Collaborate with ADRA Australia’s Supporter Engagement team to ensure consistency of communication, assets, branding and any
Oversee roll out and implementation of the Mission Ready initiative Present and preach at Churches, minister’s meetings and Big
Camps highlighting biblical compassion messages demonstrated in ADRA projects and promote volunteerism.
# of new ADRA Champions recruited per year # of presentations/sermons in churches (a minimum of 10 presentations/year is expected) Coordination of ADRA’s engagement at Big Camp in harmony with
plans developed between National Programs and Supporter Engagement.
# of churches engaged in Mission Ready # of Mission Ready initiatives commenced
Yearly % increase in church-based fundraising in NSW
In coordination with the Emergency Management team, support Level 0 responses and actively contribute to Level 1 and higher activations, taking on assigned roles and responsibilities as needed.
In coordination with the Emergency Management team, help identify and support churches and projects for emergency preparedness and response programming and contribute to the training and development of National Emergency Response Teams (NERT) to strengthen regional preparedness.
# of Level 0 and Level 1 activations effectively and successfully collaborated in
# of churches and projects with active response plans
Other duties as assigned by the National Programs Director. As needed.
Employee Signature: Supervisor(s) Signature(s): Date: / /
Print Employee Name: Print Supervisor Name:
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
