Organisation : Amnesty International Australia
Location : Australia (Any Action Centre across Australia)
Time required : The AIA Board meets six times a year, with three of those meetings being two hours, usually in the evening, and the other three being one-day long, usually on a Saturday. There may be other ad hoc short meetings to deal with particular issues. The Chair works with the National Director and the Company Secretary to set the agenda. The Chair currently meets weekly with the National Director, is a member of three board subcommittees and is involved in stakeholder engagement with members, donors and rights holders as well as international work. It is estimated that the role requires about one day per week on average, with some parts of the year being busier. There may be some opportunity for greater workload sharing between the Chair and Deputy Chair in order to allow the Chair to manage their time commitments.
Duration of project : 3 years
Skill area : Board & Committee Members
Sector : Humanitarian
Application closing date : 31 Jan, 2025
About the role
The Board of Amnesty International Australia is responsible for the leadership and governance of our organisation. The Board’s main functions are to:
- promote and ensure the effective performance of the organisation
- ensure effective stewardship of AIA’s governance standards: Board Charter, Values and Behaviours Charter, Code of Conduct, and Member Undertaking
- set and evaluate strategic priorities and objectives
- monitor the organisation’s financial, ethical, legal and regulatory performance
- appoint the National Director and hold them accountable for the organisation’s performance
- liaise and provide leadership within the global Amnesty International movement.
The Board is governed by a Board Charter and its powers are detailed in the organisation’s Constitution.
Key responsibilities of the Chair Person include:
- to chair AIA National Board meetings, ensuring that all Directors contribute and consensus is reached on decisions where possible
- develop the National Board agenda in cooperation with the National Director and Company Secretary;
- motivate Directors and lead by example;
- ensure implementation and review of National Board appraisal, training, and succession-planning processes;
- help guide National Board actions with respect to organisational priorities and governance concerns;
- engage with the work of National Board committees as required;
- communicating regularly with the AIA National Director and acting as a link between the National Board and the National Director;
- Chair General Meetings of AIA;
- represent AIA publicly when required;
- communicate with and participate in events with AIA membership, donors and rights holders
- National Director:
- support the National Director;
- undertake their performance management, including conducting annual performance reviews and approving leave;
- approving the appointment of an Acting National Director as required; and
- oversee negotiations for the National Director’s employment;
- International:
- represent AIA in Amnesty International fora;
- participate in the Chairs’ Forum, in consultation with and accounting to the Board;
- lead the Regional Forum delegation; lead the Global Assembly Delegation
The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:
- Passion for and understanding of human rights
- Experience in Board operations as a Board Chair, ideally in a member-based organisation
- Strong practical knowledge of corporate governance principles
- Strong leadership and facilitation skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strategic thinking and the ability to see the “big picture”
- Impartiality and the ability to balance different perspectives
- Emotional intelligence and the ability to build trust and rapport with Board members
- Integrity and demonstrated ethical behaviour
- Resilience and the ability to manage pressure and challenges
- Deep understanding of the organisation’s mission, values, and strategic objectives
- Ability to dedicate time to the role as required
- GAICD or equivalent
About the organisation
Amnesty International is an independent global movement campaigning for the human rights of all people, as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and related conventions and declarations.
As part of this global movement, Amnesty International Australia is committed to campaigning for an end to grave abuses of human rights and to raising awareness that respect for human rights improves people’s lives.
We are one of the largest not-for-profit organisations in the social justice sector in Australia. Our organisation comprises people who work alongside and on behalf of individuals and communities whose rights to justice, freedom, human dignity and equality are threatened, abused or at risk.
We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion. This ensures that we can speak out on human rights abuses wherever they occur, and promote, defend and protect human rights for all.
How to apply
Please submit the following to nominations@amnesty.org.au:
- A cover letter outlining your experience and attributes that you think would be relevant for the role, along with an explanation of why you are interested in this role
- A copy of your current resume.
For further information, please contact Michael Dundon, Chair of the Recruitment Committee, Michael.dundon@amnesty.org.au
Please quote in application: Chair Person - Amnesty International Australia via Pro Bono Australia.
