Volunteer Leadership Member

Laurel House provides a range of trauma-informed, evidence-based therapeutic services to victim-survivors of sexual assault and for children and young people who use harmful sexual behaviours. We also develop and deliver a broad range of programs to adults, young people and children including the provision of face-to-face counselling at our centres located at Launceston, Devonport and Burnie and through outreach locations across North and North West Tasmania.

About the Board

The board provides overall governance, management and strategic direction for the organisation. The Board is comprised of the chair, deputy chair, treasurer, secretary and ordinary members. The Board meets after hours in person or via technology a minimum 6 times per year for approximately 2 hours per meeting. Additional meetings are scheduled as needed.

Board members are expected to attend the Annual General Meeting, any special general meetings, an annual strategic and/or governance review and any director professional development opportunities.

The Board utilises sub-committees to effectively distribute the work of the Board and consider relevant issues in more detail. The Board has established three subcommittees focusing on clinical governance, finance, audit and risk management, and governance and nominations. Each board member is expected to participate in at least one subcommittee based on their expertise and preferences.

Purpose of the Role

Each board member is elected and collectively forms the organisation's Board. The Board is responsible for the overall governance, management and strategic direction of the organisation and has ultimate accountability for its activities and performance. The duties of the board member are to act in good faith and a proper purpose, to act with reasonable care, skill and diligence, to disclose and manage conflicts of interest and to safeguard the improper use of information or position.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Strategy - establishing strategies to guide, monitor and control the organisation's activities.
• Resources - making resources available to achieve the strategy and overseeing their use.
• Performance - monitoring the organisation's performance.
• Compliance - overseeing processes to comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Risk - overseeing a risk management framework that supports informed decision-making by the organisation.
• Accountability - reporting progress and aligning the collective interests of the members, stakeholders, Board, management and employees.

Selection Criteria

• Possess the ability to think strategically and identify and critically assess strategic opportunities and threats.
• Be able to identify key risks to the organisation in a wide range of areas and contribute to addressing clinical risks.
• Possess knowledge in best practice corporate and clinical governance structures, policies and processes.
• Possess a passion for the organisation's work and a commitment to support victim-survivors of sexual assault.
• Have interpersonal communication skills and character necessary to work in collaboration with other board members for the benefit of the organisation.
• Possess knowledge of the socio-cultural, legal and regulatory environment influencing sexual violence, child protection and domestic violence or the ability to quickly acquire.
• Willingness to commit to own director professional education and actively engage in activities focused on improving board performance.
• Experience in a not-for-profit community-based organisation.
• Experience working in a professional setting where clients are experiencing or have experienced traumatic events and staff are at risk of vicarious trauma.
• Training/experience in working with diversity including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, members of culturally, linguistically and religiously diverse communities.
• Understanding of sexual assault through an intersectional approach that considers where gender and other inequalities/oppressions produce unique experiences of violence.
• Ability to attend in person or via technology scheduled after-hours board meetings out of session meetings including strategic planning sessions and the Annual General Meeting.
• Participate in one subcommittee of the Board and attend the meetings as per the committee charter.
• Come to meetings prepared willing to actively contribute and at times to challenge the status quo.
• Possess or be willing to apply for a National Police Check, Working with Vulnerable People Check and a National Personal Insolvency Index check.
• Not appear on the banned and disqualified register held by ASIC and not have been declared bankrupt.

This job description serves to illustrate the scope and responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties.

Commitment to Diversity

Laurel House values the expertise lived experience and cultural wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQA+ migrant culturally and linguistically diverse and people with disability. Applicants from these groups are strongly encouraged to apply as are people with parenting or caring responsibilities.

Statement of Commitment to the Safety of Children and Young People

Laurel House is a Child and Youth Safe Organisation. We have a zero tolerance for child abuse and have systems to protect children and young people from abuse. We take all allegations and concerns very seriously and respond to them consistently in line with our policies and procedures. We actively work to listen to and empower children and to providing an inclusive and safe environment for all young people. In particular we are committed to promoting cultural safety and to ensuring that the diverse needs of children and young people are met.

If you are interested in learning more or have any questions in relation to the role please contact us.

Seeking a Community Educator to play a key role in building the capacity of the community to better understand prevent and respond to sexual violence.

An opportunity to become a member of our Therapeutic Services Team providing support and advocacy services to victim-survivors of sexual assault.

If you require assistance outside of business hours please call the 24/7 Statewide Support number.

Please fill out the form below and your enquiry will be responded to within two business days.

---