EOI - Chairperson of Council's Audit Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC)

EOI - Chairperson of Council's Audit Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC)

About Us

Federation Council is home to a thriving and diverse community located in an agriculturally rich and diverse area on the border of New South Wales and Victoria. The Southern Riverina region is the centre of one of the most productive wool, cereals and livestock growing areas in Australia. Only three hours from Melbourne, four hours from Canberra and six hours from Sydney, the region boasts a great climate and vibrant atmosphere and is an ideal location for families, businesses, and visitors to experience its exceptional lifestyle and opportunities.

The Opportunity

Federation Council is seeking expressions of interest for a suitably qualified and experienced person to appoint as a Chairperson of Council's Audit Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC) for a period of 4 years, commencing January 2026.

ARIC assists in promoting good governance practices within the organisation by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of enterprise risk management, control and governance processes.

ARIC meets five (5) times per calendar year in Corowa, NSW. Teleconferencing facilities are available if members are remote or unable to attend in person. Committee members receive remuneration per meeting (for preparation time and attendance).

The position of the chairperson of an audit, risk and improvement committee is pivotal to the committee's effectiveness and is the focal point for the committee's relationship with the council, the internal audit function and external auditor.

Independence Requirements

The Chairperson must not:

• Currently be a councillor of any NSW council.
• Be a non-voting representative of the board of the joint organisation.
• Be a candidate at the last election of the council.
• Be a person who has held office in Federation Council during its previous term.
• Be currently employed by Federation Council or joint organisation, or been employed during the last 12 months.
• Conduct audits of Federation Council on behalf of the Audit Office of NSW.
• Have a close personal or business relationship with a councillor or a person who has a senior role in Federation Council that may lead to a real or perceived conflict of interest.
• Currently, or within the last three years, provided any material goods or services (including consultancy, legal, internal audit and advisory services) to Federation Council which directly affect subjects or issues considered by the Audit Risk and Improvement Committee.
• Be (or have a close family member who is) a substantial shareholder, owner, officer or employee of a company that has a material business, contractual relationship, direct financial interest or material indirect financial interest with Federation Council or a related entity which could be considered a real or perceived conflict of interest.
• Currently or have previously acted as an advocate of a material interest on behalf of Federation Council or a related entity which could be considered a real or perceived conflict of interest.

Essential Criteria

To be successful in their role, a chairperson must demonstrate the following:

Leadership qualities and the ability to promote effective working relationships in complex organisations.

An ability to communicate complex and sensitive assessments in a tactful manner to the council's internal audit coordinator, senior management and the mayor and councillors.

A sound understanding of:

• the principles of good organisational governance and capacity to understand local government accountability, including financial reporting
• the business of the council or the environment in which it operates
• internal audit operations, including selection and review of the council's internal audit coordinator, and
• risk management principles.

Extensive senior level experience in governance and management of complex organisations, an ability to read and understand financial statements and a capacity to understand the ethical requirements of government (including potential conflicts of interest)

Functional knowledge in areas such as risk management, performance management, human resources management, internal and external auditing, financial reporting, accounting, management control frameworks, internal financial controls, governance (including planning, reporting and oversight), or business operations

A capacity to form independent judgements and a willingness to constructively challenge/question management practices and information, and

A professional, ethical approach to the exercise of their duties and the capacity to devote the necessary time and effort to the responsibilities of the chairperson of an audit, risk and improvement committee.

Ideally, the Chairperson should also meet the following criteria, but this is not essential:

• Possession of a relevant professional qualification or membership (e.g., Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), CPA Australia (CPA) and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA)).

Note: ARIC members must not be undischarged bankrupts or have been charged with or convicted of a serious criminal offence.

How to Find out More

To find out more about this opportunity you can contact Martine Hall on or

How to Apply

1. Review the Audit Risk and Improvement Committee Information Pack - Chairperson August 2025 available from the Federation Council website  

2. Submit:

3. Covering Letter addressing the independence requirements and essential criteria.

4. Current Resume detailing qualifications and experiences (including two referees, contactable by phone).
5. Eligibility Declaration (refer to Audit Risk and Improvement Committee Information Pack - Chairperson October Appendix Eligibility Declaration).

Applicants will be subject to reference checks together with a criminal record and a financial status (bankruptcy) check prior to any appointment being made.

The successful applicant will be required to abide with Council's Code of Conduct commencing from the date of appointment.

Applications to be marked: Confidential – Expression of Interest: Independent Member of the Audit Risk and Improvement Committee.

Submissions:

Email to:

or

Via post and addressed to the:

General Manager

Federation Council

PO Box 77 NSW 2646

Closing Date:5 pm Thursday 23 October 2025

Or by applying via the 'Job Application Form' available from the top of this page.

Council is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We aim to recruit a diverse range of talented people to help us achieve our goals.

Council also recognises the skills and attributes of veterans and welcomes applications from ex-service personnel.