Director, Public Funding and Partnerships
Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.
POSITION SUMMARY - This Position Is Based In Australia
Conservation International Australia is an exciting hub coordinating a two-way flow of expertise and finance to help accelerate conservation efforts in Australia and globally. In Australia, CI is working to restore precious coastal wetlands in partnership with Indigenous custodians, advance marine research on the Great Barrier Reef, and support the restoration of degraded farmlands. Through its global reach, Conservation International Australia also connects Australian donors, corporates, government agencies, and peer organizations to impactful conservation opportunities across the Pacific region.
The Director, Public Funding and Partnerships will be responsible for developing and directing CI Australia’s public fundraising and partnership portfolio, with a focus on government agencies, bilateral and multilateral donors, and strategic public-sector partners that align with Conservation International Australia’s priorities. Working closely with the Director, Development & Communications, program leads, and relevant global teams, this role will support and implement fundraising and partnership strategies, lead proposal development, and provide direct support across Australia-based and Pacific-linked conservation initiatives.
The Director’s goal is to identify and develop public sector partnerships that mobilize and secure the funds needed to advance CI Australia’s priorities in coastal restoration, marine research, sustainable landscapes, and regional conservation collaboration. This position will lead the development process from outreach to proposal development to contracting, and collaborate with program, finance, and grants management teams to ensure effective transition from opportunity identification to active implementation. The Director will also help position Conservation International Australia as a trusted partner for nature-positive investment and public-sector collaboration.
Responsibilities
The Director, Public Funding and Partnerships, will lead the following responsibilities in close collaboration with internal stakeholders and relevant global teams:
Public Funding Opportunity Identification & Pipeline Management
Required
Application Deadline: June 7, 2026 (11:49 PM EST)
See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE
Conservation International is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We believe in hiring based on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process for everyone.
POSITION SUMMARY - This Position Is Based In Australia
Conservation International Australia is an exciting hub coordinating a two-way flow of expertise and finance to help accelerate conservation efforts in Australia and globally. In Australia, CI is working to restore precious coastal wetlands in partnership with Indigenous custodians, advance marine research on the Great Barrier Reef, and support the restoration of degraded farmlands. Through its global reach, Conservation International Australia also connects Australian donors, corporates, government agencies, and peer organizations to impactful conservation opportunities across the Pacific region.
The Director, Public Funding and Partnerships will be responsible for developing and directing CI Australia’s public fundraising and partnership portfolio, with a focus on government agencies, bilateral and multilateral donors, and strategic public-sector partners that align with Conservation International Australia’s priorities. Working closely with the Director, Development & Communications, program leads, and relevant global teams, this role will support and implement fundraising and partnership strategies, lead proposal development, and provide direct support across Australia-based and Pacific-linked conservation initiatives.
The Director’s goal is to identify and develop public sector partnerships that mobilize and secure the funds needed to advance CI Australia’s priorities in coastal restoration, marine research, sustainable landscapes, and regional conservation collaboration. This position will lead the development process from outreach to proposal development to contracting, and collaborate with program, finance, and grants management teams to ensure effective transition from opportunity identification to active implementation. The Director will also help position Conservation International Australia as a trusted partner for nature-positive investment and public-sector collaboration.
Responsibilities
The Director, Public Funding and Partnerships, will lead the following responsibilities in close collaboration with internal stakeholders and relevant global teams:
Public Funding Opportunity Identification & Pipeline Management
- Proactively identify, research, and map solicited and unsolicited public funding opportunities aligned with CI Australia’s priorities in coastal restoration, marine research, sustainable landscapes, and Pacific conservation partnerships.
- Monitor Australian, regional, and international public donor priorities, policy developments, and conservation funding landscapes relevant to nature, climate, oceans, and sustainable land use.
- Communicate relevant calls for proposals and donor intelligence to CI Australia leadership, program teams, and regional and global colleagues, as appropriate.
- Maintain accurate fundraising pipelines and donor engagement records within institutional CRM systems.
- Lead the end-to-end development of large, complex public funding proposals, from concept through submission and contracting.
- Provide guidance, coordination, and technical support to program staff and partners throughout proposal preparation, including timelines, partnership structures, risk analysis, resourcing, and donor terms and conditions.
- Draft and/or review proposal content, ensuring quality, coherence, donor compliance, and alignment with strategic priorities.
- Coordinate due diligence documentation and donor review processes as required.
- Collaborate with Finance, Project Delivery & Monitoring, and Grants Management teams to systematize proposal development processes and ensure effective handover from prospective to active grants.
- Implement fundraising and partnership strategies to grow and diversify flexible and project funding from Australian, bilateral, and multilateral public donors.
- Work with CI Australia leadership, program teams, regional colleagues, and global donor leads to develop and execute donor-specific engagement and fundraising strategies.
- Build and manage a diversified portfolio of public funding revenue in collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
- Coordinate across internal functions to leverage co-investment and blended finance opportunities and help scale larger conservation investments.
- Strengthen internal and external understanding of the role and value of public donors in advancing CI Australia’s conservation priorities in Australia and the Pacific.
- Strategically position CI Australia with priority public partners, including Australian government agencies, bilateral and multilateral donors, development finance institutions, and relevant regional and international bodies.
- Act as a focal point for priority public donors, managing relationships in line with engagement strategies and in coordination with relevant internal teams.
- Cultivate long-term, high-impact partnerships by supporting dialogue, collaboration, and co-creation of funding opportunities with donors and partners.
- Represent CI Australia in donor meetings, external stakeholder engagements, conferences, and relevant events, and backstop senior leadership as needed.
- Respond to donor inquiries and support ongoing stewardship throughout the funding lifecycle.
- Contribute to global policy initiatives around resource mobilization.
- Any other related tasks as may be assigned.
- This job does not have the authority to allocate resources or approve budget expenditures.
- This job may be required to manage staff or direct the work of others.
- Hybrid office environment.
- Ability to work alternative hours to meet, consult, and advise staff in multiple time zones.
- Ability to work extended hours to meet deadlines.
- Ability to travel, domestically and internationally, as required, to achieve expected results.
- This is a fixed-term assignment, expected to last 2 years initially, with potential for extension, based on performance and funding.
Required
- Bachelor's degree in international development, environmental conservation, or a similar field.
- 7 or more years of professional experience and excellent knowledge leading public funding and partnerships focused on environmental conservation, climate change, marine and coastal ecosystems, sustainable land use, and international development.
- Proven history of securing long-term public funds for programs in a non-governmental organization from discovery to award.
- Extensive experience and excellent track record in building networks and developing partnerships with a range of stakeholders and in managing communications with high-priority external partners.
- Demonstrated success working with government agencies, bilateral and multilateral institutions, and other relevant public funding bodies in Australia and/or internationally.
- Strong understanding of environmental and development issues relevant to CI’s mission, including nature, climate, oceans, and restoration priorities in Australia and the Pacific.
- Experience with CRMs and other management software.
- Exceptional organizational skills to prioritize projects and initiate follow-through with meticulous attention to detail.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure, use independent judgment, and produce a quality work product within tight time constraints.
- Prior experience in an international, cross-cultural work environment is essential.
- Fluency in written and spoken English required; proficiency in additional languages relevant to Australia’s regional engagement in the Pacific is preferred but not required.
- Master's degree in a relevant field.
Application Deadline: June 7, 2026 (11:49 PM EST)
See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE
Conservation International is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We believe in hiring based on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process for everyone.