Who We Are
International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,200 professionals are at work worldwide in over 30 offices. Together we are on a mission to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice unstoppable.
We are a global community that cares for one another. We believe that the way we work is as important as the results we achieve. We provide professional excellence with joy and celebration to all those we serve.
The IJM Australia Advancement Office was established in 2014 to fuel IJM’s global mission by mobilising Australians’ resources and influence to protect people living in poverty from violence.
The Need
For almost 30 years, IJM has pioneered the work to protect vulnerable people from violence. Nine out of nine times in the last decade, IJM’s Justice System Strengthening Projects have reduced slavery and violence between 50% and 85% in specific caseworks and jurisdictions. As we grow to expand our impact to protect 500 million people from violence, the role of Lead, Church Engagement is critical to engaging with our church community and helping us broaden our awareness and impact across the country.
This position is based in Sydney – Australia, Hybrid, and reports to the Director, Engagement
Job Brief:
The Lead, Church Engagement (LCE) works with the Director, Engagement (DE) to develop strategy, plans and budgets that seek to build church partnerships and increase financial support for International Justice Mission (IJM) Australia. The Engagement team is a division within the wider Partnerships department which is led by the Chief Partnerships Officer (CPO).
New supporter growth is largely driven by the Engagement team and will come from a varied channel strategy, with the LCE having primary responsibility for several of these channels, namely:
• New and existing Church Partnerships
• Christian conferences and events
As well as a secondary focus through:
• Creation of ‘tangible’ product offerings
• Managing a speaker’s bench involving staff, field speakers, and volunteers such as Justice Advocates who can speak on behalf of IJM.
The LCE will develop plans and activities to build effective church partnerships and engage with congregations to support an agreed annual acquisition goal. These plans and activities will also be supported by the Marketing & Communications team.
The LCE will cultivate and steward our highly valued church partners with a goal to deepen engagement and increase awareness of IJM’s work.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Networking & Partnership:
1. Develop a pipeline of prospective Christian partners & churches for IJM Australia that supports the overarching Engagement fundraising strategy.
2. Support relevant partnerships and relationships that relate to the church space.
3. Seek to build relationships that work towards platform/conference networking opportunities for IJM Australia.
Relationship Management:
1. Collaborate with the DE and develop and cultivate the journeys for both new and existing church partners.
2. Engage new church partners and denominations which scale support and engagement within the church channel.
3. Steward partners to achieve revenue targets for church institutional giving as well as the support of affiliated giving from mid /major donors.
4. Provide input to the team in biblical knowledge and justice theology if needed.
Product Management
1. Support the creation and management of products for Christian and Church audiences.
2. Ideate opportunities in product that would serve the Engagement team throughout any of the channels with the Engagement strategy. (E.g. Gift catalogues, church product, etc)
Communication:
1. Regularly speak for IJM Australia at various Christian events, church engagements and conferences, etc.
2. Develop an internal and external speakers bench that can be easily utilised for IJM speaker needs. It will consist of staff, field speakers, Justice Advocates and volunteers.
Resource Development:
1. Work regularly with the Marketing & Communications team to develop resources required to service the varied channels.
2. Have the ability to contribute to and develop content pieces for Christian and Church partners that are biblically sound and inspiring for cross-denominational audiences.
Strategy & Knowledge Development & Implementation:
1. Provide information to DE around goals, audiences, timelines, and revenue/expense budgets relevant to aligning Engagement strategy and IJM annual calendar to organisational objectives.
2. Support building the specific audiences within the designated channels (Church, platform and conference moments) to acquire new financial supporters.
3. With DE, train and develop the wider team on delivering justice theology communications and presentations.
CRM and Insights
1. Ensure all communications are recorded in Salesforce in a timely manner.
2. Work with the BI team to ensure accurate and timely data analysis and reporting with regards to the designated channels.
Culture Builder:
1. Model IJM Australia’s values and behaviours, encourage others to do likewise through healthy conversations or recognition when evident.
2. Contribute to the expression of a community of spiritual formation through participating in IJM’s rhythms of spiritual disciplines, including daily stillness, corporate prayer, quarterly prayer retreats, and individual annual days of solitude.
Requirements:
Education & Experience:
1. Theological qualifications or relevant Bachelor’s degree preferred.
2. 3+ years’ experience within the NFP industry working with church relationships OR 5+ years in a church context.
3. Demonstrated success in fundraising or growth in revenue targets for other settings.
4. Experience in relationship management of partners and developing personal and professional networks.
Technical Competencies:
1. Excellent public speaking ability (verbal communication of a topic).
2. Excellent ability to train others to speak.
3. Salesforce experience valued.
Non-Technical Competencies:
1. Natural ability to build trust quickly in personal and professional relationships.
2. Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.
3. Strategic, resilient and resourceful in nature.
4. Highly motivated and driven to create and achieve goals and targets.
5. Demonstrates effective personal leadership and high level of discernment.
6. Demonstrates high capacity as well as healthy rest.
The below are required for all IJM Australia roles:
1. Commitment to IJM’s Statement of Faith.
2. A servant heart with a desire to advocate on behalf of the poor and oppressed.
3. Personal and professional integrity.
4. Prepared to undergo Criminal History checks.
Other Duties:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities for the position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. All positions are required to perform any additional tasks assigned by the supervisor.
Why Join Us?
At IJM Australia, we believe in supporting our team with meaningful benefits that reflect our values and commitment to wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll enjoy:
Generous Leave Entitlements
• Annual Leave – 20 days per year to rest and recharge
• Personal/Carer’s Leave – 10 days annually to care for yourself or loved ones
• Compassionate Leave – 2 days for family bereavements
• Time Off in Lieu – Available when out-of-hours work is required
• Family & Domestic Violence Leave – 10 days paid leave for those in need
• Day of Solitude – 1 day each year for personal reflection and rest
• Gifted Leave – 4.5 additional days over Christmas and New Year
• Long Service Leave – In accordance with the Long Service Leave Act in each state
Salary Packaging Options
IJM Australia offers salary packaging options that allow eligible employees to receive part of their salary as non-cash benefits helping you make the most of your income within statutory caps.
IJM holds strict safeguarding principles and a zero tolerance to violations of the Safeguarding Policy, Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy, and Code of Ethics. Candidate selection is based on technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring criteria subject to assessing the candidate’s value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes. IJM values people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to enrich the perspectives it brings to the organisation.
Remark: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
