Project Vision

This project aims to provide develop a CRM (Contact Relationship Management) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software solution for medium sized non government organisations in the not for profit sector. This will be done through customisation of an existing open source framework, modelling the user and functional needs from Friends of the Earth Australia; its local groups and supporting business enterprises.

The developed solution will transform the way in which NGO’s, including Friends of the Earth, conduct campaign and business administration practices. This will be achieved by providing an integrated modular CRM and ERP suite that delivers an internet based ‘e-office’ environment; providing leading edge integrated tools, including: relationship management, donor management, financial management, and marketing and communication tools.

The cornerstone to this solution will be its ability to link Friends of the Earth with its constituency. Enabling greater relationship management and team based collaborative operations delivering improved outcomes to organisational campaign objectives, whilst providing the community with a simple internet based gateway enabling linkages to participation opportunities supporting social networking, financial contribution and other community development aspirations.

What type of person are we after

This project requires a person with medium to high level skills in database configuration (postgres) and knowledge of software engineering principles, including coding in Java and XML. The key success factor for this position will require systems thinking skills and the ability to customise an existing open-source framework to meet the medium sized organisations.

The Friends of the Earth Information-Technology and Communications team is made up of seven IT professionals who contribute time in order to ‘do their part’ working for a better society and to extend their professional skill base via the challenges presented by this project. Our development team’s knowledge platform ranges from software engineers, coders, database designers to testing and system evaluation.

Position Requirements

Finalisation of this project will require the successful database designer, skilled in Java, to liaise with organisational staff and the team IT Business Analyst (seeking volunteer) from Friends of the Earth campaign offices and business arm enterprises, including: Friends of the Earth Melbourne Food Co-op (café and wholesale distribution) and bookshop, and Friends of the Earth Brisbane Bicycle Revolution (sales and repair service provider) and Reverse Garbage (sales and workshop service provider).

Deliverables will see the creation of one primary system to meet the needs of Friends of the Earth campaign offices and secondary systems to meet the needs of the sales enterprise based organisations.

Customisation and development of novel functional requirements will be required to meet the predetermined software specifications of the Open for Business (www.ofbiz.org) Framework, including licensing. Finalisation of the product will be packaged for open source distribution to the global NGO sector.

The position will require close engagement with the development team and the coordinator, providing definitive advice and support to guide project development.

How we work

Basically we are after a person with the time to dedicate to this project, a self motivated doer who has the time to commit to working with us throughout the lifetime of development. It is an excellent challenge, the team are all great people who acknowledge and respect the various skills each embodies.

Our team works mostly via the internet and formally meets monthly for brainstorming and reporting but in general we are avid skypers and emailers. Our main team clusters are in Brisbane and Melbourne, with members also located in Adelaide and Thailand.

Contacting us

If you are interested or know of anyone who you think might be interested – pop us an email or give me a call. We will be very happy to chat with you or send you some further information. Please contact Derec the ITC team coordinator on:

Derec Davies

0421 835 587

derec.davies@brisbane.foe.org.au