Wycliffe Bible Translators

Bible Society Internships, in collaboration with Wycliffe Australia and AuSIL

There’s a very exciting opportunity next year for two young adults to work as Bible Society Australia interns learning about Bible translation and Indigenous ministry. One will be mainly based in Adelaide, and one in Darwin. These are partially paid positions, with the expectation that the remainder of the funds will be raised by the interns’ churches and friends. BSA is working with the Australian Society for Indigenous Languages (AuSIL) and looking for individuals who are eager to work with Indigenous Australians, develop their translation skills and champion future Bible translation.

Responsibilities

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• considerable travel
• may include a cultural orientation course
• language learning
• translation workshops
• trips to remote communities
• an oral Bible translation course

Qualifications

• you’re a committed Christian, sharing the Bible Society’s passion for seeing all people access the Bible
• strong cross-cultural communication and relational skills are essential
• candidates studying or who have recently studied theology or linguistics would have an advantage
• current students or recent graduates are encouraged to apply, although current students may be restricted in how they can be involved
• strong proficiency in English is essential
• have a willingness to travel to various centres and remote communities for periods of time
• if you are up for an adventure, please apply!

Training

Theological studies at university level, an advantage. Some type of language and culture training course would be helpful.

SILA Finance Officer / Manager

We need someone part-time who will be responsible for all the financial functions required by a small not-for-profit company. This job can be done either in-person at the SILA campus in Victoria, or remotely. We are looking for someone to help with the timely and accurate processing of transactions and production of accurate financial reports for management, plus records and systems that make the annual audit straightforward.

SILA is primarily a Higher Education school providing training for those wishing to live and work in another culture, especially in the provision of linguistics, literacy and language expertise. SILA is a charity that runs three small tax-deductible funds.

Responsibilities:

  •  overseeing Purchases/Accounts Payable, Sales/Accounts Receivable, donations, payroll, bank transactions, emails
  • reconciliations, banking, Asset Register and Depreciation Schedule
  • end of month processes, including transactions between Wycliffe Australia and SIL Australia
  • SGC remittances, quarterly Business Activity Statements (incl. PAYG)
  • quarterly Financial Reports to the SILA Board
  • End of Financial Year processes/adjustments
  • working with auditors.

Qualifications:

  • formal qualifications in accounting at least at diploma level (Australia)
  • strong working knowledge of MYOB and the Goods & Services Tax system in Australia is important
  • an understanding of the Wycliffe/SIL Global finance systems is an advantage
  • These would also be helpful:
    • an understanding of the relationship between Wycliffe Australia and SIL Australia
    • ability with Excel or other spreadsheets
    • knowledge of Australian law governing companies, charities, not-for-profit organisations, and tax-deductible funds
    • knowledge of Australian law governing employment and payroll
    • good written and oral communication skills
    • ability to think clearly and analytically.
    • ability to prioritise the workload.

Finance Accountant

Wycliffe Bible Translators Australia is in need of a full-time Accountant, either as a member or volunteer, to work with the finance team in Kangaroo Ground, Victoria. There is also the possibility of working remotely. If you have experience with accounting and you would like to support the work of Bible translation, we would love to hear from you!

Responsibilities:

  • processing of receipts, payments and other regular financial entries
  • weekly bank reconciliations and reconciliations of international transactions
  • monthly additional reconciliations of balance sheet items, preparation and execution of various month end processes required to account for international transactions and process payments to Members
  • quarterly additional reconciliations of some balance sheet items (including preparation of quarterly reports for the WBTA Board and preparation of BAS returns)
  • annual execution of year end allocations, preparation of working papers for and participation in annual audit and any issues arising
  • being a regular source of technical accounting expertise when the team requires assistance dealing with unusual financial situations
  • may occasionally participate in milestone financial events e.g. starting new activities or making new acquisitions

Qualifications:

  • formal qualifications in accounting are strongly preferred plus solid finance experience in a mid-sized NGO
  • ability to engage with auditors at a technical level is essential
  • knowledge of Wycliffe Bible Translators or a similar faith-based operation is an advantage
  • knowledge of MYOB is also desirable

Training:

  • orientation workshops would be required for member applicants but not for volunteer applicants

Graphic Designer

We are looking for a full-time graphic designer for the creation of electronic and print media that meet the standards and objectives of Wycliffe Australia. This can be done remotely or on-site at the National Centre in Victoria.

Responsibilities:

• work with a team to develop and refine media projects including writers, photographers, illustrators and others
• scan, draw, design and retouch photos, using printing and proofing programs and devices
• evaluate illustrations and photographs and plan the presentation of the material
• arrange layout based on available space, knowledge of layout principles and aesthetic design concepts including typography, colour, balance and information hierarchy.

Qualifications:

• proficient in the use of PhotoShop, Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and/or other design software tools, for either Windows or Mac operating systems, graphic tablets, and laser printers for both B&W and colour
• knowledge of both the print and electronic processes, techniques and procedures in the publishing and printing industry related to the design of electronic and print media
• at least two years successful experience designing print and/or electronic media using trade software. Portfolio must be submitted for review.

Training:

Bible college and language training are desired but not required. Orientation workshops will be provided, held at our National Centre in Kangaroo Ground, Victoria.

The Launch language and culture orientation course may also be useful if the applicant desires.

Grant Writer

SIL Australia is a small faith-based not-for-profit organisation that provides training, support and funding for language development and language solutions globally. We are seeking a volunteer grant writer to support our mission. As a volunteer, you will play a vital role in securing funding for our services and projects. Your efforts will directly contribute to our ability to serve ethnolinguistic communities around the world so that they might flourish.

Responsibilities:

  • Grant Research: Research and identify potential grant opportunities from various sources, including government, foundations and private organisations
  • Proposal Development: Identify and clarify needs and opportunities, work with relevant staff, and develop a strong understanding of SILA’s work, programs, priorities, history, mission and impact in order to create compelling grant proposals that align with SILA’s goals and seek maximum impact for communities
  • Grant Management: Help monitor awarded grants, track progress, and ensure compliance with reporting requirements
  • Collaboration: This role is highly collaborative. You will work closely with the leadership and members of the SILA team.

Qualifications:

  • strong communication skills, both spoken and written
  • attention to detail
  • a good understanding of the donor market
  • knowledge of and experience in navigating the grant-making process
  • the ability to adhere to deadlines
  • the ability to develop relationships with funders
  • the ability to think strategically
  • strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • proficiency in use of relevant software and technology
  • a willingness to learn about SIL and its mission.

Training:

Six weeks’ language and culture training called Launch.

 

Website: https://www.sila.org.au/

Prayer Profiles Writer

We need a Prayer Profiles Writer to prayerfully utilise AI to write profiles about language communities that lack access to the Bible. These profiles will be used to mobilise the Church to pray strategically for remaining Scripture access needs.

Responsibilities:

  • use information provided by prayer researchers to write prayer profiles of language communities that need Bible translation (along with AI when necessary)
  • prayerfully add prayer points to these prayer profiles
  • work well with the inter-agency team of prayer profile researchers, writers and disseminators
  • provide prayer profiles in the various templates required by key disseminators (for example Joshua Project, Pray for Zero).

Qualifications:

  • ability to work with a virtual team
  • skills with researching
  • strong use of written English expression
  • proven AI skills

Training:

  • some biblical training
  • orientation appropriate to applicant’s situation and location

This role will be one day per week.

Multimedia Assistant

We have an urgent need for a Multimedia Assistant. The successful applicant will play a vital role in creating digital and printed content to promote the work of Wycliffe Bible Translators Australia and its partners, to churches, supporters and the wider Christian public. This role will begin as one day per week.

Responsibilities

This role involves graphic design and content creation to assist the Communications team. Tasks may involve:

  • brainstorming ideas with the Communications team
  • image selection (access to the photo library Skip and other licensed image databases is required)
  • editing photographs using the Adobe suite of products, including InDesign and Photoshop
  • assisting with the formatting and design for printed media for Wycliffe Australia
  • creating written and graphic elements for social media posts
  • reporting on work in progress (WIP) to supervisors.

Qualifications

  • experience and training in basic graphic design
  • experience and proficiency with the Adobe suite of editing tools (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premier Pro, Acrobat Pro, etc.)
  • competency with computer programs and awareness of new technological trends
  • ability to work in a team environment
  • ability to effectively communicate a message through written and visual means.

Orientation and Training

Orientation workshops, held at our National Centre in Kangaroo Ground, Victoria.

Office & bookshop manager (Darwin)

We are looking for people to manage the Darwin office of our partner organisation, the Australian Society for Indigenous Languages (AuSIL), including the running of a small bookshop.

Prefer long term, but open to 1 year or more commitment.
Could be part-time or full-time.

Responsibilities:

  • answering phone and email enquiries
  • collecting mail
  • bookshop sales, stock ordering, arranging stock on shelves etc.
  • sending publicity emails and creating facebook posts
  • human resources
  • support staff with administration and program support needs
  • basic IT support and setting up new laptops for translators
  • applying for grants and submitting project reports

Qualifications:

  • intermediate computer skills
  • strong administrative skills
  • relates well to and enjoys helping others

Language and Culture Training:

  • four weeks’ language and culture training called Launch
  • orientation workshops, held at our National Centre in Kangaroo Ground, Victoria
  • on-field cultural orientation

Tree Tops Lodge Cairns: Wide Range of Duties

We are seeking a physically fit, servant-hearted, mission-minded couple to join the staff at Tree Tops Lodge Cairns. Having the ability to work harmoniously as part of a team is of the highest value, but it is closely followed by a willingness to work hard on a roster that includes some weekends and evenings. Tree Tops Lodge Cairns, in beautiful Far North Queensland, is a motel owned by Wycliffe Bible Translators Australia. It provides affordable accommodation for missionaries and the public in a peaceful, tropical environment.

Commencement date: mid-2025, or sooner if ready

Successful candidates will, together, need to have:

  • Previous experience and success in a team environment
  • Previous management experience
  • Office and computer skills with excellent accuracy and attention to detail
  • Clear communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Good overall health and fitness
  • General maintenance and gardening skills
  • Supervisory skills

Applicants must be either Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. These are voluntary, unsalaried positions. Applicants will need to become members of Wycliffe Bible Translators, and raise a team of prayer and financial partners to support them in these ministry positions.

Bible Translation Training and Workshops Australia

Project 8533

There are lots of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory who want to be doing Bible translation, but without outside support and encouragement, translation work happening in remote communities often gets stuck at the draft stage and doesn’t make it through to publication.

This project will train non-linguists such as ministry workers who are already living and working in remote Indigenous communities to come alongside aspiring Aboriginal translators, to encourage them in their work and provide support.

Further to that, this project will assist with the travel, accommodation and food costs involved in bringing groups of Aboriginal people, from different language groups, to Nungalinya College in Darwin for 1-2 week translation workshops. These are run by experienced translators and translation consultants who are on hand to encourage and assist the indigenous translators where needed. Experience has shown that a great deal more work is achieved when the translators are able to stay at Nungalinya College for the duration of the workshop. This is because it gives them the opportunity to focus fully on their translation work when they are away from the responsibilities of family and community. It also provides them with a bit of a break from the stresses of everyday life.

Partner with us

Budget target: AU$13,889 by mid 2024

Excess funds will go towards the following year’s target.

Thanks for your patience...

Waiting is hard, isn't it. But imagine waiting 2000 years for Scripture in your language! Thanks for your patience. And thanks for your generous support which will help bring the long wait to an end...