Position Description – Executive Director 

Role: ILGA Oceania Executive Director

Reports to: ILGA Oceania Board 

Location: Fiji

Employment Status: Fixed term to December 2027 (negotiable)

Hours per week: 37.5 hours/week (0.8333 FTE)

Remuneration: (FJD) $50,000

About IGLA World and ILGA Oceania

ILGA World – the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association – is a worldwide federation of more than 1,900 organisations from over 160 countries and territories campaigning for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex human rights.

Established in 1978, ILGA World has ECOSOC consultative status at the United Nations. Our members are based in our six regions: Pan Africa ILGA, ILGA Asia, ILGA-Europe, ILGALAC (Latin America and the Caribbean), ILGA North America and ILGA Oceania

ILGA Oceania is an incorporated sub-organisation of ILGA World, and is responsible for the 24 countries and non-autonomous territories in the Oceania region.  It supports the rights of, and providing a voice for all diverse SOGIESC communities, including (but not limited to):  lesbian, gay, intersex, bisexual, sister girls, brother boys, takatāpui, queer, gender queer, trans, whakawāhine, tangata ira tāne, mahu, vakasalewalewa, palopa, fakaleiti, akava'ine, fa'afafine, fakafifine, and many more from all over  Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

ILGA is funded by several governments (Sweden, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands) and private foundations (including Arcus, Hivos, OSF).  ILGA Oceania has received funding to advocate for the decriminalisation of activity on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression and sex (intersex) across the Pacific region.

We are excited to be advertising for an Executive Officer to support the delivery of the ILGA Oceania Strategy through a targeted work programme that strengthens and elevates the connections of  diverse SOGIESC communities from across the pacific region, Australia and Aotearoa.

ILGA Oceania Structure

Role Purpose

The Executive Director of ILGA Oceania is a visionary and strategic leader responsible for overseeing the operational excellence, financial sustainability, and overall growth of the regional office. Reporting directly to the elected ILGA Oceania Board, the Executive Director will champion the organization’s mission to advance LGBTQI+ rights across Oceania, fostering an inclusive, intersectional, and human rights-driven approach.

Ideally, the successful candidate will possess recognized leadership and a proven trajectory in LGBTQI+ activism within the Oceania, Australia, or Aotearoa regions. They will embody a deep commitment to teamwork, transparency, feminist principles, environmental sustainability, and anti-racist frameworks.

While the ILGA Oceania constitution is registered with NSW Fair Trading, this role will be primarily based in the Pacific region, emphasizing regional leadership and local engagement. The Executive Director will lead a dynamic, small team, cultivating a collaborative and empowering work environment.

In partnership with the ILGA Oceania Board, they will develop and execute strategic plans, strengthen relationships with diverse stakeholders—including government agencies, civil society, and partner organizations—and ensure the successful delivery of key projects, including grants and advocacy initiatives. The Executive Director will serve as a passionate ambassador for LGBTQI+ rights and social justice throughout Oceania, positioning ILGA Oceania as a resilient and influential regional leader.

Key Accountabilities & Main Activities

Strategy, Planning & Reporting

  • Work with ILGA Oceania board to determine and document overall strategy for the organisation, including revenue raising and program delivery (beyond the decriminalisation program)

  • Identify effective and innovative strategies to achieve organisational objectives 

  • Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of ILGA Oceania‘s strategic plan and annual operational plans

  • Monitor the internal and external environments to identify and mitigate financial, operational, reputational and business continuity risks

  • Provide regular reporting to ILGA Oceania Board on financial performance, revenue-raising, program delivery and organisational performance 

  • Attend and participate in Board meetings 

Organisational Leadership

  • Assist the ILGA Oceania Board in the evaluation of proposals for a new ILGA Oceania policy framework for evaluation by the ILGA Oceania General Assembly; assist in the implementation of those approved

  • Facilitate collective work between the regional office team and the ILGA Oceania board, ILGA Oceania member organisations, the ILGA World office and other ILGA regional organisations   

  • Foster a positive organisational culture, visibly working in alignment with IGLA values and purposes

  • Oversee the day-to day operations of the ILGA Oceania Office

  • Produce reports, issues papers, briefs and other documents for presentation in different internal and external settings

  • Attend to other duties and responsibilities as directed by the IGLA Oceania board

Operational Management 

  • Establish and maintain an ILGA Oceania office space for the ILGA Oceania Region

  • In conjunction with the ILGA Oceania board, develop and implement efficient and transparent administrative and financial systems

  • Work closely with the ILGA Oceania board and staff, ILGA World staff, government authorities, affiliated organisations and other entities relevant to the ILGA Oceania  region

  • Coordinate the fundraising, logistics and operations for the ILGA Oceania regional conference

  • Design, implement and monitor systems and process to ensure workplace health and safety, as outlined by ILGA and our host organisation

  • Attend to all statutory reporting requirements

Team Leadership

  • Oversee and ensure the implementation of human resources policies, procedures and practices for the entire ILGA Oceania office team

  • Strengthen the regional office team through the selection of additional staff

  • Lead and develop staff in accordance with ILGA Oceania’s policies and procedures

Stakeholder Engagement

  • Develop a stakeholders engagement strategy to support and assist ILGA member organisations and other stakeholders in the region

  • Encourage coordination and joint work with other organisations and bodies of the international human rights system

  • Coordinate communications strategies to position ILGA Oceania, its activities and pronouncements in the region

  • Work closely with the ILGA World board and staff, ILGA Oceania board and staff, government authorities, affiliated organisations and other entities relevant to ILGA Oceania region

Candidate Profile

Eligibility 

  • Experience in working with marginalised groups in the Oceania region

  • Experience in a similar Executive Officer role either at a national, region or global level

  • Must be from the region and have expertise and an intimate knowledge of human rights issues impacting on LGBTQI/Takatāpui and MVPFAFF+ communities

ILGA Oceania strongly prefers a person from the Pacific region who identifies as a member of the LGBTQI+ communities

Capability, Knowledge & Experience

  • Minimum three to five years’ organisational leadership experience in an NFP

  • Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent work experience

  • Previous experience of working directly with a board of directors, establishing a positive and productive working relationship. 

  • Demonstrated ability to assist in the conception, implementation and monitoring of a strategic plan in collaboration with and accountability to a Board of Directors and ILGA Oceania members. 

  • Extensive experience working with governments, human rights institutions, member-based organisations, LGBTIQ+ organisations and international human rights organisations

  • Ability to think strategically and evaluate options and actions based on environmental trends and conditions, ILGA Oceania vision and values, and what is best for its members. 

  • Ability to lead the organisational and financial sustainability of ILGA Oceania

  • Presence, gravitas, humility, and empathy in dealings with external organisational stakeholders and individuals from a variety of backgrounds

  • Exceptional interpersonal skills and the confidence to present publicly

  • Ability to strategically lead resource mobilization activities

  • Sensitivity to issues relating to diversity, gender equity, and human rights 

  • A facilitative approach that enables effective delivery with and through partner organizations

  • Well-developed operational skills such as finance and reporting

  • Fluency in English and experience working in a multi-lingual environment

  • Intermediate computer literacy

Role Requirements

  • Willingness and availability to travel globally, with a requirement that the Pacific region, Australia and New Zealand are prioritised (where necessary)

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 30 JUNE 2025

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