Board Director, Victoria State Emergency Service

About the board

The Minister for Emergency Services is pleased to invite applications for the position of Director on the Victorian State Emergency Services (VICSES) Board.

The VICSES Board is a statutory authority within the Justice and Community Safety portfolio. The VICSES Board is established under the VICSES Act and is accountable to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. The Board consists of up to seven Directors appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister. One of the Directors is appointed to be the Chairperson of the Board. The Board may exercise the powers of VICSES set out in the VICSES Act.

It also monitors and influences VICSES culture and reputation.

About the role

Subject to the VICSES Act, a Director holds office for a period specified in the Instrument of Appointment which cannot exceed three years. A Director is eligible for reappointment and is entitled to receive remuneration and travelling and other allowances, as fixed by the Governor in Council, unless the Director is an employee of the public service. The Public Administration Act 2004 (other than Part 3 of the Act) applies to a director in respect of the office of Director.

The Board is responsible for the overall governance of VICSES, including:

• setting the vision, strategy and direction of VICSES, in line with Victorian Government policy
• having ultimate accountability for the functions and duties of VICSES, including emergency planning, response and recovery
• appointment, removal and performance management of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• oversight of the performance and delivery of key policy priorities, including performance against the VICSES strategic plan objectives
• compliance with statutory obligations
• ensuring the ongoing financial viability of the organisation.

The VICSES Board ensures VICSES carries out its functions in a manner such that services provided are: effective and efficient; consistent with prudent financial management practices; and safe and secure.

Board subcommittees

In carrying out its responsibilities, the VICSES Board is supported by two standing committees.

The Risk and Audit Committee monitors and advises on matters relating to:

• risk management, compliance, external audit, internal control, internal audit, policies, corporate governance, and matters that may significantly impact the financial condition or affairs of VICSES
• occupational health and safety
• legal compliance.

The People, Culture and Remuneration Committee monitors and advises on matters relating to:

• VICSES policy and practice for executive remuneration
• performance and remuneration of the CEO and executive management team
• succession planning for the CEO and senior management positions.

The Board appoints the members and the Chair of each committee.

Who we're looking for

To be eligible as a Board Director of VICSES, a person must possess knowledge of, or experience in, one or more of the following areas:

• Commercial (including significant commercial and business experience)
• Financial (including financial management and accounting capabilities; an ability to oversee the financial position of VICSES; analyse key financial statements; critically assess financial performance; oversee budgets and the efficient use of resources; and oversee funding arrangements and accountability)
• Technical (including experience in relation to significant information communication technology programs and an ability to provide critical insights and governance)
• Operational (including senior leadership, human resources, governance, risk management, public policy, government and stakeholder relations, strategic planning and brand and reputation management skills and experience)
• Volunteer issues (including an understanding the prevailing trends, risks and opportunities associated with a volunteer workforce)
• Expertise in any other field relevant to the performance of the functions of the Authority (e.g. emergency management and land management)

Other desirable skills include:

• Governance including an understanding of the regulatory environment in which VICSES operates; a capacity to ensure that external compliance and reporting requirements are met; and a capacity to ensure that VICSES provides a safe environment for volunteers and staff and supports a culture of ongoing improvement in relation to workplace health and safety.
• Risk management and compliance/audit capability to oversee major risks; the ability to identify key risks to the organisation in a wide range of areas including decision making, monitoring performance, legal and regulatory compliance; and to monitor risk and compliance management frameworks and systems.
• Environmental occupational health and safety, including an understanding of land management practices, agriculture, conservation and occupational health and safety.
• Public administration and local government, including an understanding of the Public Administration Act 2004 which sets out key governance standards for Victoria's public sector and connection with Local Government to ensure bushfire and emergency management approaches meet community requirements.
• Community and stakeholder management including capability to reflect the expectations of community and stakeholders and the ability to effectively engage and communicate with them.
• Public relations/marketing and communication including understanding how to implement network and communication strategy, manage relationships and ensure effective reputational management.

What you need to apply

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government boards and committees reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community.

We encourage applications from women, people of all ages, Aboriginal people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQA+ people, and people living in rural and regional Victoria. We will provide adjustments to the recruitment process upon request.

You do not have to disclose any personal information if you do not want to, but it can help us understand how we can support you through the recruitment process and beyond. We invite you to tell us if you identify as Aboriginal, a person with disability, from a culturally or linguistically diverse background, LGBTIQA+ or a young person, aged 25 years old or less. If you identify as any of the aforementioned, we would welcome the opportunity to contact you and discuss how we can support you through the recruitment process. Sharing this information will help you access support should you need it and will also help us to better understand the impact of our work.

Please click the Apply button on this advertisement to apply through Join a public board.

Applications should address the Key Selection Criteria and include a resume and covering letter with at least two relevant professional referees.

Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

Appointees are subject to police and probity checks undertaken routinely in accordance with current government policies. A Declaration of Private Interest is also required.

Applicants with further enquiries may contact Stacey Jordan at

Applications close at 11:59pm on 12 June 2024.

An independent panel will assess all applications and interview a short-list of candidates.