Advisor Funding, Grants & Governance (Forest Transition)

Nelson City Council; Nelson; On-site; NZD 30,000 - 54,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing leave

Fully subsidised health insurance

Generous leave provisions

Learning and professional development

Employee discounts

Job summary

Nelson City Council is seeking a part-time Grants Coordinator to support the Forest Transition and Hill Country Reserves Programme. You will identify external funding, secure grants and sponsorship, and administer climate change grants.

You’ll coordinate steering groups, reference groups, workshops and stakeholder events to drive the programme forward. You will bring grant writing experience, governance administration skills and the ability to convey complex information as persuasive funding

Qualifications

• Experience in grant writing or funding applications, with a track record of successful bids.
• Experience providing secretariat or governance administration support for formal committees or reference groups.
• Familiarity with New Zealand external funding landscape and government funds.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify external funding opportunities and grant calendars.
• Prepare and submit compelling, accurate funding applications and bids.
• Administer climate change grants, managing compliance, reporting and processes.
• Coordinate sponsorship and revenue development from partner identification to agreement.
• Provide secretariat support to internal steering groups with agendas and minutes.
• Coordinate external reference group meetings and stakeholder events.
• Plan programme workshops and engage stakeholders.
• Maintain governance documentation and funding pipelines.
• Act as central coordinator for programme communications and logistics.

Skills

Grant writing

Governance administration

Stakeholder engagement

Project coordination

Writing

Education

Tertiary qualification in business or related field

Job description

Shaping our future | Kōmiria te anamata

Nelson City Council is undertaking one of the most significant local government transformations in New Zealand. Through Shaping Our Future, we’re organising ourselves around the people and communities we serve, getting clearer about who does what, and investing in the capability we need for the years ahead. We’re also working more closely with iwi, neighbouring councils and other partners to deliver better outcomes for Whakatū Nelson. Our new structure is in place, and we’re now recruiting for the roles that will bring it to life.

You’ll be part of a new function strengthening evidence-based decisions, strategic partnerships and economic outcomes for the region.

About the role | Kō tēnei tūranga mahi

This is a new part-time role (0.5 FTE) that turns ambition into funded action. Primarily supporting our Forest Transition and Hill Country Reserves Programme, you’ll find and secure the external funding, grants and sponsorship that help the programme succeed. You’ll also administer Council’s climate change grants and be the central coordination point for the programme’s steering groups, reference groups, workshops and stakeholder events. You’ll be part of our grants and funding centre of excellence, working alongside our Senior Advisor Funding and Grants.

You will:

• Research and identify external funding opportunities, keeping a forward-looking view of grant and funding calendars
• Prepare and submit compelling, accurate and timely funding applications and bids
• Administer climate change grants, managing compliance, reporting and Council processes
• Coordinate sponsorship and revenue development initiatives, from identifying partners through to agreement
• Provide secretariat support to internal steering groups, including agendas, minutes and action tracking
• Coordinate external reference group meetings, logistics, communications and documentation
• Plan and coordinate programme workshops and stakeholder engagement events
• Maintain programme governance documentation and registers, including funding pipelines, decision logs and action trackers
• Act as a central coordination point for programme communications and logistics, supporting the Programme Manager

About you | Ko ngā pūmanawa ō

You’re highly organised, pragmatic and self-managing, with strong attention to detail and the ability to juggle multiple workstreams and deadlines in a programme where priorities can shift. You’re a strong writer who can turn complex technical content into clear, persuasive funding narratives. You build trust with a wide range of people, from community groups and landowners to elected members and central government agencies, and you have a genuine interest in environmental outcomes and sustainable land management.

You will bring:

• Experience in grant writing or funding applications, with a track record of successful bids, ideally in a public sector, environmental or land management context
• Experience providing secretariat or governance administration support for formal committees or reference groups
• Familiarity with the New Zealand external funding landscape, including central government contestable funds, MfE, MPI and philanthropic sources active in forestry, land use or environmental programmes
• Confidence coordinating logistics and communications across diverse internal and external groups
• A tertiary qualification in business, community development or a related field, or equivalent practical experience

What we offer | Ko ngā painga mōu

• Supportive, empowering leadership that backs you to do your best work
• Wellbeing leave, platforms and initiatives
• Fully subsidised health insurance
• Generous leave provisions
• Learning and professional development opportunities
• A range of employee benefits and discounts
• Meaningful work that shapes our community’s future
• Mountains, beaches and national parks on your doorstep

At Nelson City Council, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and has a true sense of belonging. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from diverse ethnicities and cultures, LGBTQ+ communities, neurodivergent individuals, and people with disabilities. If you require any assistance with your application, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Applications close | Rā whakakapi

11pm Monday 16 November 2026

For further enquiries | Ina he pātai anō, whakapā mai

Please reach out to our People & Capability team on [e-mail]