Recruiting: WELA Board members (voluntary)

Title: Board Director

Reports to: Chairperson 

Location: Flexible, with a preference for east coast time zones. The WELA team and board works remotely, within AEST hours

Job Type: Voluntary. Approx 2 – 4 hours per week

Applications close: Thursday, 1 June, 2023, 9am AEST

About the Position

Do you want to contribute to protecting and restoring our environment, solving climate change and taking on the patriarchy? 

We are currently seeking three new Board Directors with either strong governance, fundraising or legal experience to support the continued growth and success of WELA. We’re also seeking board directors with a background in social enterprise or financial management. We are committed to creating a diverse and skilled board of women and gender diverse people for our environment and climate action. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join a small, growing and passionate team taking on some big challenges – and doing it with a good sense of fun and personal sustainability.

Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA) is empowering, supporting and funding women’s leadership for our environment and climate action, to transform Australia’s response to our environmental and climate crises.

The Board of Directors role is voluntary, and without remuneration. Travel, accommodation and any other out-of-pocket costs in relation to Board Members’ duties will be reimbursed.

We particularly encourage women and gender diverse people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women of colour, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people living with disabilities and those from working class backgrounds to apply. 

Image description: WELA Board Directors and staff. 

Tasks and Responsibilities

The WELA board provides a core leadership role ensuring that the organisation operates in compliance with our responsibility as a Company Limited by Guarantee and as an ACNC registered organisation with DGR1 status. The board adds value to the organisation by steering, anticipating and providing wisdom and good judgement. We contribute to the vision of WELA, its values, culture and achievements. We’re developing a strong, diverse board that plans succession and increases the skills and abilities of its members.

Board members have an important role to play in setting the strategic direction of the WELA vision.

Board members are responsible for:

1. Governance in line with our constitution and ACNC requirements for our members and our purpose. 
2. Appointing and supporting the Strategic Director to implement WELA’s vision, mission, objectives and organisational strategy.
3. Developing organisational governance policies, and monitoring the performance of WELA against agreed plans and objectives. 
4. Establishing and upholding the culture and values of WELA.
5. Acting as an ambassador for WELA and in the best interests of WELA. 
6. The economic viability of WELA and ensuring its long-term financial security.
7. Ensuring accountability of WELA management, by ensuring necessary reporting procedures and staying abreast of what  WELA is doing.
8. Being aware of and resolving tensions within WELA and being cognisant of the competing demands placed on the WELA team and board.
9. Ensure robust and high-quality governance structures and decision-making, including the recruitment of new board members, managing board committees and meetings, clear minutes and decision making, and meeting WELA’s regulatory obligations.  
10. Attending and active engagement at Board meetings (currently monthly) and Committee meetings, with associated preparation and follow-up
11. Developing and monitoring the organisation’s appetite for risk, and managing and mitigating risk within this.
12. Respecting the limited time board members have in discharging their duties, and focusing efforts on the crucial functions that only board members can discharge.
13. Be fully aware and cognisant of the WELA policies, strategic documents, specific roles and history of the organisation.
14. Convening or serving on a board committee and occasionally taking on other assignments as required.

Professional development opportunities will arise that board members may wish to take part in. The board is developing a policy for board level professional development. Encouraging learning is a great investment in our board and WELA as an organisation.

Key Selection Criteria

 

Essential

– A commitment to the values and culture of WELA

– Passionate about environmental protection and addressing the climate crisis

– Passionate about supporting women’s leadership

– At least three years experience as a board member (or strong legal, governance, fundraising  experience) 

– Passion and demonstrated commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion principles (JEDI)

Desirable – one or more of the following

– Experience working with environmental not for profits or feminist organisations

– Experience in governance of not-for-profit organisations 

– Experience in fundraising – and a willingness to be involved in fundraising and/or engage your networks as donors, partners or champions

– Legal background and knowledge, including Work Health and Safety, employment, insurance and risk management

Board Terms

WELA’s Board Members serve a three-year term before being eligible for re-appointment. The total time commitment is expected to average 2-4 hours per week. Board meetings are held online monthly and committee meetings are held separately. Board members are encouraged to join board sub-committees and participate in annual planning sessions.