Board Director

People seeking asylum and their families need support, advocacy and hope now more than ever – many have been caught in a broken system for 8-10 years.  The Asylum Seeker Centre is one of the few organisations whose purpose is to provide direct day-to-day assistance to people seeking asylum and their families.

The Asylum Seekers Centre is currently seeking expressions of interest from people interested in filling two casual vacancies on our Board. Those appointed will hold office until the next AGM in late 2024 when they may stand for election for a three year term.

All Board members serve in a voluntary capacity and are expected to attend 6 scheduled meetings a year and extraordinary meetings as required. (These are held either at our Centre in Newtown, Sydney or by Zoom.) Depending on their willingness and availability, individuals may also be asked to join sub-committees, take on specific governance-related tasks or provide support on key projects. Directors are encouraged to get to know and be involved with the ASC through: 

• attending ASC events.
• spending time at the ASC.
• interacting with volunteers, clients and staff from the ASC.
• utilising their networks to expand ASC advocates.

All Board Members are required to understand good governance practice and the legal and fiduciary duties of directors. While not a requirement, prior board experience or senior managerial roles in the not-for-profit sector would be beneficial.

The Board regularly reviews its own composition to ensure we have the full range of skills and experience required to effectively govern our small but complex organisation. At this point in time, we are keen to add people with experience in: 

• Australia’s refugee communities and broader issues surrounding people displaced around the world by terrorism, conflict and war.
• Fundraising.
• Policy advocacy.
• Attracting and maintaining a strong volunteer base.

People with knowledge in these areas, as well as people with direct refugee or asylum seeker experience, are particularly encouraged to apply.

Role and Responsibilities of the Asylum Seeker Centre Board

The role of the board is to set the ASC’s strategic directions, annual budgets , key organisational policies and the elements that define the values,  culture and the ways things are done at the ASC. Whilst the Board delegates authority to the CEO to implement its decisions within parameters it sets and reviews from time to time, the board’s role is to support the CEO and their Executive team in delivering ASC’s mission, purpose, values and culture.

The key responsibilities of the Board are to:

• Ensure the organisation acts in accordance with its purpose and objectives
• Appoint and determine the terms of employment for the CEO, set their delegations and limits of authority, and then support and monitor their performance
• Approve the strategic plan, and monitor its implementation and progress
• Oversee the financial sustainability and solvency of the organisation including through: approving the annual budget; monitoring quarterly and annual financial accounts; approving any significant budget adjustments that fall outside the CEO’s delegations; approving major acquisitions and broad investment strategies; establishing the ‘reserves’ policy; and ensuring adequate insurance policies and independent annual audits
• Work with the CEO to determine and monitor the organisation culture: i.e. the shared values, expectations, norms and how things get done in ASC. The board is responsible for living the ASC culture and modelling/setting the standards from the top down.
• With input and advice from the CEO, set and adjust as necessary other key organisational policies and strategies in areas such as occupational health and safety, human resources and fundraising 
• Determine the organisation’s ‘risk appetite’, monitor serious risks and ensure adequate management and mitigation measures are taken
• Assist in establishing and maintaining significant organisational relationships and partnerships, in conjunction with the CEO and other senior staff
• Ensure the organisation has systems and processes that meet all legal and regulatory requirements
• Authorise any legal action or defense undertaken by the Centre.