Board Member, WaterAid Australia, Two Positions (voluntary)

Expressions of Interest

Board Member, WaterAid Australia

Two Positions (voluntary)

WaterAid Australia is seeking expressions of interest to fill two Non-Executive Director positions on our Board. We are looking for one Director with expertise in decolonising development and one Director with expertise in climate change. In recruiting for both vacancies, we are looking to fill one of the positions with a candidate who also has strong knowledge of gender and development.

Over the last four years, WaterAid Australia has undertaken a strategic process to reflect on how power is experienced within the organisation. In 2020, we collaborated with an external agency on a whole of staff (WaterAid Cambodia, PNG, Timor-Leste and Australia) and Board process to review the quality of our ways of working together. Identifying many strengths, it also highlighted areas for improvement. Among other things, this led to the Country Directors of Cambodia, PNG and Timor-Leste joining key governance processes (Board meetings, recruitment of Board Directors and Board Chair, etc.), and three new Board members being recruited with a diversity lens. At the end of 2021, the Board established a Diversity Working Group to unpack and go beyond the term and define what it means within the WaterAid context. The 18-month process was supported by two external advisors with backgrounds in power, diversity and governance. Over the last 12 months, the Board has reviewed and updated its governance manual from a diversity lens and is in the process of finalising a new skills matrix with clear diversity criteria.

This current recruitment process continues the Board’s commitment to diversity. WaterAid Australia is committed to having a Board with a diversity of experience, backgrounds and personal attributes including race, age, gender identity, sexual orientation and disability. We welcome applications from women, from First Nation’s people, from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from people with disabilities. We strongly encourage applicants who have lived experience of the issues WaterAid Australia work on.

Who we are

WaterAid is an international not-for-profit organisation. Our vision is a world where everyone everywhere has access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. Our mission is to transform lives through sustainable and safe water, sanitation and hygiene. 

Everything we do is shaped by six values: 

Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Innovation, and Integrity

These values define our culture and unite us across the many countries in which we work. They are at the very heart of WaterAid – who we are, what we do and how we do it. 

WaterAid International

WaterAid Australia is a member of the WaterAid International Federation, which is made up of the following self-governing member organisations: Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Sweden, the UK and US. Members share the same values, ambition, passion, culture and standards. To have the greatest impact, we share the same global strategy, which is available at: https://www.wateraid.org/our-global-strategy 

Each member organisation mobilises support in its home country, engaging individuals, companies and institutions to raise funds and influence policies to support our mission. To make change happen on a global scale, members collaborate on regional and global advocacy and campaigns to influence governments, companies and international institutions. 

Australia, India, the UK and US manage programs in over 20 countries on behalf of the global WaterAid network. 

WaterAid Australia and the Board of Directors

WaterAid Australia has an office in Melbourne and manages country programs in Timor-Leste, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea. Our Senior Executive team includes the Country Directors from the three programs.

WaterAid Australia’s Board has ten Directors, made up of:

• Three Directors from the Australian water industry

• Three Directors with experience in aid and development

• Four Directors with specific skills in key strategy and governance areas

Please see our website for further information:

• information on WaterAid Australia can be found at: https://www.wateraid.org/au/ 
• information on WaterAid Australia’s current Board, Chief Executive and Senior Executive team can be found at: https://www.wateraid.org/au/who-we-are 
• WaterAid Australia’s annual reports and financial statements can be found at: https://www.wateraid.org/au/our-annual-reports 

Requirements of Directors

WaterAid holds quarterly Board Meetings. We intend that one is held in person (in Melbourne or a program country) and three are held virtually. 

In addition to Board meetings, Directors are required to serve on and attend the quarterly meetings of one or two of the Board’s Committees (Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee, Programs and Advocacy Committee and Governance and Nominations Committee). 

Directors are expected to commit time to study papers, preparing for and attending meetings, following up on specific tasks with other Directors and liaising with the Chief Executive or other staff at the Chair’s or Chief Executive’s request. Directors are also expected to be active advocates of WaterAid’s work.

In total, this commitment is likely to take 10 to 15 days per year. Board and Committee meetings are held on Thursdays (the schedule of meetings for 2024-2025 is available upon request). 

Remuneration

Board members work on a pro-bono basis and are not entitled to any remuneration for their role as Director.  However, WaterAid Australia will meet or reimburse Directors for any reasonable travel and accommodation expenses incurred as part of that Director performing their duties on behalf of the organisation.

Vacancies on the Board

As stated above, we are looking for one Director with a background in decolonising development, and one Director with a background in climate change. We are hoping that one of the new Board members also brings a strong knowledge of gender and development. 

The term of the appointment for both positions is three years, from August 2024, with the possibility of renewal for a further three years.

While welcome, previous board experience is not essential.

Selection criteria

General selection criteria for both positions:

Candidates must bring the following:

• a commitment to WaterAid’s vision, mission and values

• demonstrated commitment to gender equality

• demonstrated capability to collaborate and embrace diversity of thought, identity and experience

• a good understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of Directors in Australia and clarity on the difference between governance and management functions

• experience of high-level strategy development and effective implementation

• relevant networks, with the ability to engage with contacts and/or fulfil an ambassadorial role for the benefit of WaterAid

• an understanding of the context in which WaterAid works and the challenges of working appropriately and sustainably with partner organisations in our country programs

• the ability and willingness to devote the necessary time to the role of Director

Application process

Applications should be addressed to Ms Denisha Anbu, Chair of the Board’s Governance and Nominations Committee, at [email protected] by 5pm (AET) on Friday
10 May 2024.

In your application, please clearly state the role for which you are applying.

Applications must include:

• The completed application form and response to the attached selection criteria of no more than three pages

• a CV of no more than four pages.

The Governance and Nominations Committee will review applications and interview shortlisted candidates before making recommendations to the Board.  Unsuccessful candidates will be notified they have not been shortlisted.

All applications will be treated confidentially and for shortlisted candidates, permission will be sought before contacting referees.

Child Safeguarding and Code of Conduct

WaterAid is a child-safe organisation. We recognise that we must meet community expectations and the trust placed in our personnel to maintain the highest standards of conduct with children. Therefore, all roles within WaterAid are required to comply with our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

WaterAid is committed to protection from sexual exploitation and abuse in everything we do. The values and standards we uphold are highlighted in our Global Code of Conduct available at www.wateraid.org/uk/publications/global-code-of-conduct. All roles within WaterAid are required to comply with our Global Code of Conduct.

Successful candidates will also be asked to undergo police and other integrity checks.

Contact details

For further information, please contact Ms Nerida Heyward, Executive Assistant, WaterAid Australia, on +0429 513 217.