Caritas Australia and the Diocese of Cairns are seeking a passionate person who is based in Cairns to join the Caritas network of Diocesan Directors who make real the vision of Caritas Australia at the local diocesan level.

About Caritas Australia
We are Compassion in Action. Caritas Australia is the international humanitarian and aid agency of the Australian Catholic Church. We have a vision to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity for all. We partner with the most vulnerable communities to help them build better outcomes by improving access to sustainable livelihoods, clean water, sanitation and education.
Why work for Caritas Australia?  

You will join a team of like-minded individuals who are passionate about tackling poverty and injustice.

More about the role
This paid casual role, appointed by Caritas Australia in conjunction with the Archbishop, promotes the work of Caritas Australia through education, fundraising, advocacy and relationships with Catholic schools, parishes and the wider Catholic community.

This is a casual role averaging up to 3.75 hours per week across the year, with more hours required during our Project Compassion appeal (February-May).

In this role, you will be responsible for:  

• Coordinating diocesan engagement in Caritas Australia’s mission by fostering collaboration, supporting campaigns and initiatives, and ensuring alignment with advocacy, fundraising, and ecological justice priorities across parishes, schools, and community networks.

• Designing and delivering engaging sessions and professional development workshops for students, teachers, and staff to deepen understanding of Caritas Australia’s work, Catholic Social Teaching (CST), and integral ecology, fostering awareness, participation, and integration of these principles within school communities.

• Developing a network of parish representatives/volunteers to extend the reach of Caritas Australia across the diocese.

• Representing Caritas Australia at diocesan events, visiting schools and parishes and organising events such as the Project Compassion launch.

• Collaborating with the Community Fundraising Team and Supporter Experience Team to coordinate donations, follow-up and thank schools, parishes and organisations for their support.

About you
For this role, we are seeking an energetic individual with a mix of the following skills and experience:

• A strong commitment to the mission of Caritas Australia, the ethos of the Catholic Church and Catholic Social Teaching

• A desire to represent Caritas Australia in the Archdiocese with flexible work hours depending on the project

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

• A preparedness to work collaboratively with Archdiocesan authorities and other agencies, parishes, schools and the wider community

How to apply

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all the listed qualifications. We value diverse experiences, and we believe in potential. If you’re passionate about this role and believe you can make a valuable contribution, we’d love to hear from you!

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us.

Our commitment to safeguarding – Caritas Australia recognises the personal dignity and rights of all people, especially children and vulnerable adults. As part of your employment, you will be required to undergo relevant background checks (Police Checks, Working with Children Checks, Reference Checks), abide by our safeguarding policies, and sign our Code of Conduct including Professional Behaviour Standards for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults.

Our commitment to diversity - Caritas Australia encourages and supports an inclusive and diverse workforce. We consider applications regardless of race, sex, gender, age and disability. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, members of minority groups, non-binary people, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Our commitment to safety and wellbeing - Depending on your role, Caritas Australia may require you to undertake health checks or receive vaccinations to ensure your safety and wellbeing at work.