Governance Officer

• Position: Full time
• Location: Canberra or Brisbane
• Job Type: 12 months non-ongoing (with the possibility of extension)

**Please review ‘Before Applying’ section for information to include in your cover letter**

Who are we?

The Healing Foundation is a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that partners with communities to address the ongoing trauma caused by actions like the forced removal of children from their families.

We work with communities to create a place of safety, providing an environment for Stolen Generations survivors and their families to speak for themselves, tell their own stories, and be in charge of their own healing.

We promote trauma-aware, healing-informed practice to help government, policymakers, and workforces understand their role in intergenerational healing.

By addressing unresolved trauma in First Nations communities – trauma that was caused by colonisation and actions like the forced removal of children – we are walking alongside communities on the path to healing.

We are governed by a First Nations Board and Executive and guided in our work by our Stolen Generations and Youth Reference Groups.

Our work honours our First Nations ancestors who inspire strong spirit, strong culture and strong people in all future generations.

About the role

Adherence to THF general risk principles:

• Do no harm
• Prevent harm by others

Reporting to the Governance Manager, the Governance Officer will:

• Provide Secretariat support for various governance bodies and working groups across THF
• Coordinate and prepare agendas, papers, minutes, calendars and meeting outcomes
• Contribute to the development of meeting materials
• Facilitating and presenting at meetings
• Proactively support and work with internal stakeholders to ensure timely and quality preparation of meeting materials
• Coordinate face-to-face meetings and activities including booking meeting venues, accommodation, travel, and catering
• Maintain business registers including conflict of interest registers and contact lists
• Support reporting to the ACNC and ASIC, including annual reporting
• Support the coordination and delivery of Governance trainings, Board evaluations, strategy sessions, committee membership, recruitment, induction and retirements
• Ensure effective records management
• Champion best practice across all Governance functions
• Contribute to Budget preparation, development and tracking
• Ensure KPI's and deadlines are achieved and exceeded
• Serve as back up for the Governance Manager
• Other related duties as required

About you

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Strong understanding or commitment to the First Nations sector. Demonstrated knowledge, advocacy and prior engagement with First Nations people, and the understanding of, and commitment to, working in a culturally sound and strengths-based way
• General understanding of Governance and Compliance
• 1+ year working with Boards and Executives

To ensure the safety of those most vulnerable in the community, you must be able to obtain a valid WWVP check, and provide evidence you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

What we can offer you

• Professional support, training and development to improve career opportunities after successfully completing probation
• Salary packaging benefits
• Access to employee support and wellbeing programs
• Flexible working arrangements and locations.

To submit your application, click Apply Now.

The Healing Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer and we encourage and prioritise applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We are committed to ensuring all individuals are treated with dignity, regardless of cultural background, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or spiritual beliefs.

If you have any questions about the role, please email hr@healingfoundation.org.au, using the subject line: Governance Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.