Event Planner Consultant

The Development & Outreach Department of Human Rights Watch (‘HRW’) is seeking highly-qualified applicants for an Event Planner Consultancy in Australia. The Event Planner Consultant will oversee the coordination and execution of Human Rights Watch’s Annual Voices for Justice Dinners in Sydney and Melbourne. The Voices for Justice Dinners are held in cities around the world and honor individuals who have put their lives and safety at risk in the name of defending human rights. The Event Planner Consultant will also provide support for various donor and board cultivation events in Sydney and Melbourne, including HRW’s annual Sydney Film Festival event in June 2016. The Consultant will report to the Associate Director of Development and Outreach based in Sydney. The anticipated dates for the consultancy are mid-March 2016 through June 2016.

Responsibilities:

1. Coordinating:

a. The Human Rights Watch Voices for Justice Annual Dinners in Sydney and Melbourne in April 2016;

b. The Human Rights Watch Film Festival screening in June 2016;

c. Other satellite development and outreach events associated with the above platforms.

2. Creating detailed logistical plans for HRW’s Annual Dinners and the Human Rights Defender visits in Australia, including travel and accommodations;

3. Working with graphic designers and printers on production of all printed and electronic materials, including the Annual Dinner programs for Sydney and Melbourne and materials for the Film Festival event;

4. Setting up meetings with staff, committee members, activists, students and potential donors;

5. Coordinating technical and logistical needs related to fund-a-need campaigns and/or bidding systems for the Dinners;

6. Coordinating and participating in Dinner Committee meetings, including producing meeting minutes;

7. Advise HRW staff on recruiting, organizing and coordinating volunteers and photographers;

8. Managing the Annual Dinner expense tracking process;

9. Generating acknowledgment and tax letters;

10. Use of Raisers Edge database to create and track detailed donor lists, including dinner guests and table seating:

11. Facilitate post-event evaluation and follow up; and

12. Periodic overnight travel to Melbourne will be required, at the expense of Human Rights Watch.

Qualifications:

Education: An undergraduate degree in related field is required. An advanced degree is highly desirable.

Experience: Prior event planning or other relevant work experience is required.
Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Proven success in event planning and organizing fundraisers is desirable.

2. Self-motivated, extremely well organized, collegial, and the ability to function under pressure and handle numerous tasks simultaneously is required.

3. Strong problem solving and organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail is required.

4. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with donors, volunteers, vendors, and external partners and a commitment to human rights and/or international issues is required.

5. Experience with donor databases, preferably Raiser’s Edge, is desirable.

Other: Applicants for this position must have the ability to legally work in Australia.