About Edge Effect

Edge Effect is a humanitarian and development sector organisation specialising in diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC, aka LGBTIQ+). We offer consulting services to governments, UN agencies, NGOs and CSOs to ensure that the rights, needs and strengths of people with diverse SOGIESC are addressed in humanitarian and development policy and programs. Edge Effect also implements development and humanitarian projects in partnership with other LGBTIQ+ organisations. Edge Effect is a small but impactful organisation. We are based in Melbourne, Australia, but work globally and our staff live and work where they want and need to be.

About The Positions

Edge Effect is seeking applicants to fill two full-time Program Officer positions. We will also consider splitting one of these positions into two part-time roles.

Program Officers undertake a range of research, policy and program management tasks across different development and humanitarian sector projects. Our current projects vary widely, from small consulting projects to major projects with durations of up to three years. Applicants with specialisations in areas such as research, policy, or facilitation and program coordination will have opportunities to work in those disciplines, while extending their skills and experience in other areas.

Examples of potential work include:

• Design of research projects, data analysis and report writing.
• Facilitation of action research groups or communities of practice.
• Coordination of organisational consultation processes and policy development.
• Adaptation of frameworks and tools used by development and humanitarian actors.
• Program management in coordination with national LGBTIQ+ organisations.
• Contribution to training workshop design and delivery.

All staff also contribute to the health and growth of Edge Effect through collaboration on internal projects and through business development.

These positions are suitable for people with at least five years of relevant professional experience, particularly within the international aid sector or a related context. They work within the emerging area of diverse SOGIESC inclusion in humanitarian and development sector programming and within an organisation recognised as a global leader. We seek applicants who want to change the world while understanding the need to work within feminist and participatory approaches that recognise and challenge power imbalances in the aid sector and beyond.

About You

Edge Effect values diversity and candidates from around the world are encouraged to apply.

The successful candidates will have skills and experience in the following areas, which should be addressed in the application template:

• Designing and conducting applied research activities, including participatory research.
• Conceptualising and writing high-quality reports and other analysis.
• Undertaking analysis of inclusion in aid sector policy and programs.
• Development of practical guidance for aid organisation programs.
• Development of policy guidance.
• Designing and facilitating action research or other small group processes with members of marginalised groups.
• Design and implementation of organisation-wide consultation processes.

• Managing aid programs including supporting the work of contractors, developing and monitoring workplans, participation in program implementation, coordinating project reporting, and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and donors.
• Designing and delivering mixed methods training programs.
• Conceptualising new projects and contributing to proposal writing.

Successful candidates will also have a range of soft skills with general applicability

• Ability to manage time and tasks across multiple projects.
• Ability to work successfully across a range of cultural contexts.
• Ability to work independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ethical and sustainable approach to conducting business.
• Practical problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of technology, including project management and standard office tools.
• Awareness of the broad social contexts that Edge Effect works in.

We strongly encourage applicants who have specialisations in some areas but who are less experienced in others as we’re looking for balance across the roles. Please fill in the whole application template, outlining your strengths and weaknesses.

Edge Effect works on diversity within a SOGIESC context. Experience that directly relates to LGBTIQ+ people and issues will be highly regarded. We work in the humanitarian and development aid sectors. Experience that directly relates to those sectors will also be highly regarded. If you do not have experience working within both a SOGIESC context or in the humanitarian or development aid sectors please outline how you would address this in Section 15 of the application template.

Important Notes

Edge Effect complies with the SCHADS Award under Australia’s Fair Work Act. In addition to base salary staff are entitled to superannuation (11% from July 1st, 2023), four weeks of annual leave (and leave loading), sick/carers leave, long-service leave, and other benefits as per the Award and the Fair Work Act. Edge Effect does not offer salary packaging. Staff engaged outside of Australia are not legally covered by this Award but will receive equivalent packages.

Edge Effect does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, sex characteristics, age, marital or relationship status or family situation, or disability, or any other protected characteristic. We value diversity and encourage people with diverse SOGIESC (aka LGBTIQ+ people) to apply.

Edge Effect is based in Australia. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded by the traditional owners of the lands we work on, and we respect and engage with traditional owners both within Australia and elsewhere around the world. We operate globally, which means that flexibility with working hours is required, and international travel may also be required. We are open to candidates working from any country (or as digital nomads). The positions may require extended desk-based work and use of computer systems.

Mandatory safeguarding checks are part of Edge Effect recruitment. Successful candidates will need to obtain police/safety checks, and sign-on to Edge Effect’s Code of Conduct and other policies.

An Application Template is attached.