Governance Officer

About Us :

Toora Women is a not-for-profit organisation which has been delivering gender specific services to women in the ACT and surrounds since 1982. Our mission is to be the leading organisation in the ACT providing safe, respectful support for all women who are impacted by domestic and family violence, homelessness, the criminal justice system and/or alcohol and drug dependency.

Our current domestic violence, homelessness and AOD health treatment programs range across a variety of settings, such as, crisis, transitional and head tenancy accommodation, day programs, counselling and outreach support. This allows Toora to provide wrap-around trauma-informed care within an integrated service system. We deliver these complex services within a human rights and gendered framework.  

All services are based on a theoretical model of recovery, respect and empowerment. This includes encouraging self-help and minimizing the effects of institutionalisation and the harm associated with dependencies. 

About You :

• Relevant qualifications in governance, or experience in governance, risk or policy development in the health or community sectors.
• Knowledge of trends and innovations in governance, risk and quality management
• Working knowledge and understanding in the application of legislative frameworks including acts, regulations, service frameworks and standards that guide practice in the community or health sectors
• Must possess a valid ACT Working with Vulnerable People registration and a satisfactory National Police Check (or have the ability to obtain these checks). 

Position Summary :

The Governance Officer is responsible for leading the further development, review and implementation of quality management systems to ensure funding, legal and accreditation requirements are met and best practice is achieved. The role includes the creation, review or revision of organisational policies and processes as well as risk management. 

This role is a 6 month initial contract, to focus on the identification and management of organisational risk, and has the potential for extension for the right candidate.

Key Requirements :

The Governance Officer must have knowledge of trends and innovations in the area of quality control management and organisational risk.

Good oral and written communication skills are needed for communication with internal and external stakeholders and writing policy and procedures. Attention to detail is an essential.

The Governance Officer must also have knowledge of general applications and quality assurance information systems management. The Governance Officer can conduct research on quality assurance and must be ready to provide solutions within the quality assurance process.  

Demonstrated Essential Criteria  

• Well-developed knowledge and ability to implement quality assurance / quality improvement principles in a medium sized community organisation 
• Knowledge of tools, concepts and methodologies of quality assurance 
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements 
• Experience in policy development and implementation 
• Ability to research, develop and implement quality improvement information and when required, present information and motivate staff in engaging with these processes. 
• Good data analysis skills e.g. analysing Survey Monkey data 
• Good communication, negotiation, liaison and facilitation skills  
• Proven skills in attending to detail and process with the ability to take initiative, finish projects and meet tight deadlines without supervision. 
• Proficient computer skills including the use of Microsoft Office applications.  

Desirable Criteria 

• Experience working in community services and understanding of gendered framework. 
• Skills in SharePoint administration is highly desirable. 

Job Responsibility :

The Governance Officer is responsible to the Governance Manager, and the Director Service Excellence.

This position requires the development and maintenance of strong working relationships with: 

• Toora Board; 
• Toora Leadership team;  
• Toora services and program teams; 
• Accrediting bodies, including but not limited to Quality Innovation Performance Limited (QIP), Community Services Directorate and Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA);  
• Other relevant services, including but not limited to third party service providers such as the online risk management system administrators and website developers. 

DELIVERABLES 

Strategic 

• Contribute to the leadership, strategy, priorities delivering the business and risk management plans of the organisation 
• Contribute to overall workforce planning including recruitment and retention, succession planning, professional development and emerging business opportunities. 
• Contribute to analysis of data, strategy, competitive landscape and industry trends at off-site meetings. 
• Champion and progress cross-Toora cooperation to increase synergies between services  
• Formulate and initiate extensive projects or programs which impact on the organisation’s goals and objectives 
• Provide specialised professional and administrative advice on policy matters within the organisation and to the Board 
• Contribute to the identification and management of organisational risk.

Policy Development and Management 

• Conduct reviews of Toora organisational policies and procedures to identify gaps for policy development 
• Maintain a policy review schedule and update existing policies, as required. 
• Ensure accessibility to up-to-date organisational policies via SharePoint. 

Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement 

• Assist with the further development, implementation and review of quality management systems to ensure funding, legal and accreditation requirements are met and best practice is achieved. 
• Manage the relationship with QIP, develop and work within a quality plan and meet all reporting deadlines. 
• Contribute to collating and providing advice to the CEO and Executive team around quality assurance and quality improvement principles and emerging priorities to be addressed within the organisation. 
• Facilitate engagement with other Toora staff in the participation of quality assurance/improvement activities and processes if/as required 
• Coordinate feedback from stakeholders, staff and clients for evaluation across all Toora programs and prepare reports of quality management purposes for the organisation. 
• Assist in the development, monitoring and compliance management of Toora's risk management plan, in liaison with the Governance Manager and Executive Team
• Provide professional development support to staff in relation to quality assurance/improvement activities 
• Develop and maintain standard templates for standard organisational functions within Toora 
• Participate in induction of new staff in relation to quality assurance practices. 

Administration  

• Understand all areas of computer operations to meet the needs of the job 
• Assist in maintaining appropriate communication, correspondence and records management practices by: 
•  Typing and distribution of agenda, taking minutes for relevant meetings, as directed by the Governance Manager
•  Provide secretariat support to relevant Boards or Committees, including distributing written minutes within one working week of meetings, and 
•  Assist in the ongoing review and management of Toora's SharePoint pages. 

Teamwork, Networking and Liaison 

• Participate in Committee and team meetings, as required. 
• Maintain effective, positive relationships with all relevant stakeholders. 

Professional Practice, Professional Development and Performance Management 

• Engage in professional development activities  
• Attend to regular supervision with the Governance Manager and accept direction. 
• Represent Toora in a professional manner on external committees or working parties. 

Work Health Safety / Quality Improvement Systems 

• Adhere to Toora Women Inc. WHS policies and procedures including self-care policy. 
• Take reasonable care to protect their own health and safety at work and meet all obligations under the WHS Act 2011 
• Work in accordance with relevant sector standards and participate in Toora Quality Improvement Systems including auditing, surveys and needs analysis. 

Conditions of employment

• The duties of this position may be adapted to changing organisational requirements as determined by the service planning processes. Any change to the job description will not occur without consultation.
• Some out of hours may be required. 
• Must possess a Working with Vulnerable People registration
• Required to work from any location, within integrated Toora service system.
• Work collaboratively within Toora's service systems.
• Must adhere to the policies and procedures of the organisation.
• Understand and adhere to all Toora policies and procedures.
• Toora Women operates a smoke free workplace in accordance with the Workplace Tobacco Management Policy. 
• Each staff member will have in place, in addition to the above responsibilities, a 12 month individual work plan including key objectives, performance indicators, targets and outcomes. The work plan will include a statement of team values and expected behaviours, and will document individual training, learning and development priorities. Annual performance appraisals will be informed by this work plan. 
• Must work respectfully and collaboratively with other team members. 

Job Functions :

Community development

Job Benefits :

5 weeks annual leave

NFP Salary Packaging

On site free parking

Selling Point :

This is a fantastic 6 month opportunity to join Toora as a Governance Officer, with the possibility of extension

Contact :

Jenna Roberts