About the animal law institute (ALI)

ALI is a national non-profit community legal centre that is dedicated to protecting animals and advocating for their interests through the Australian legal system. ALI is also a public company limited by guarantee and a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.

ALI’s vision is to create a just world for animals. The suffering and exploitation of millions of animals is legal in Australia. It happens every day because of cruel, inadequate and inconsistent laws. We fight to change this.

Our mission is to be a voice for animals by:

• using the legal system to challenge the current treatment of animals; and
• providing the public with the tools to replicate our previous successful strategic litigation.

We carry out our mission by:

• providing services through our anti-puppy farm clinic to Victorian clients looking to challenge puppy farm breeders and retailers; preparing information sheets to assist clients pursuing solutions directly; preparing discrete advice on prospects; and representation in legal disputes
• assisting our clients to identify and pursue a consumer law claim challenging unethical companion animal breeding practices that falls within a court’s jurisdiction and thereby has the potential to set a legal precedent
• conducting a strategic litigation opportunity research program that involves roundtable discussions with leading figures in the animal protection movement and research into identified areas of law and industry practice where there is potential to materially advance animal protection through clients’ strategic litigation.

ALI is a predominantly volunteer-run organisation with paid staff and volunteers across Australia.

About the Board of Directors

The current Board of Directors consists of a mix of differing skills and experience with their passion for animal protection in common. ALI’s Board makes strategic decisions to drive the organisation with different Board Members having specific responsibilities and oversight of key tasks or team members. You can find more information about the current Board of Directors here.

ALI is expanding its Board of Directors in order to drive and support ALI to deliver several exciting new strategic projects in the animal protection space. Some of these strategic projects include managing ALI’s Anti-Puppy Farm Clinic legal service and commencing strategic litigation on issues of benefit to the public interest and the animal protection movement.

We are pleased to invite expressions of interest for multiple volunteer Director positions, each for a 1-year term (with a possibility of extension if desired). Applicants who are passionate about animal protection with one or more of the below expertise are encouraged to apply:

• Human Resources and People Management;
• Public Relations and Marketing; or
• Charitable Fundraising and Philanthropy.

Key Responsibilities

General:

• Complying with the legal obligations of directors, as set out in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and other regulatory requirements, as well as ALI’s constitution
• Contributing to and undertaking ethical decision-making and governance to direct the organisation to achieve its Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan
• Upholding ALI’s animal-centric ethics and values
• Preparing for and attending regular management and Board meetings
• Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders including leading animal protection groups in Australia
• Representing ALI in the media
• Undertaking specific tasks as required to support the operation of the Board or the organisation

Role-Specific:

Human Resources and People Management Director:

• Onboarding new paid staff and volunteers (including preparing employment contracts for 3 paid staff)
• Performance managing 3 paid staff
• Ensuring paid staff are remunerated in line with the applicable award rates and that the organisation meets all relevant employer obligations as required
• Establishing, maintaining and overseeing internal policies dealing with recruitment, people management, and other human resources matters

Public Relations and Marketing Director:

• Driving ALI’s marketing strategy and resulting public presence
• Assisting the Principal Lawyers to deliver a media campaign to raise awareness of ALI’s projects and initiatives
• Assisting the Principal Lawyers and/or volunteers to prepare content for ALI’s social media channels (approximately 2 posts per month)

Charitable Fundraising and Philanthropy Director:

• Taking an active role in identifying funding and fundraising opportunities and assisting ALI to pursue these
• Drafting applications for grants and other funding

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

General:

• Previous governance/management/leadership experience and/or qualifications
• An understanding of the non-profit sector and a high-level knowledge of the legislative framework governing animals in Australia and/or important issues in the animal protection sphere
• A strong existing network that can drive opportunities and outcomes for the organisation
• Experience developing long-term strategy and effectively implementing it
• Prior experience as a director or board member is not necessary, but well regarded

Role-Specific:

Human Resources and People Management Director:

• Experience managing people and performance
• Knowledge of relevant employee award rates and related employer obligations (or ability to quickly obtain this knowledge)

Public Relations and Marketing Director:

• Demonstrated skills and experience in developing and delivering effective media campaigns
• Experience drafting social media content for organisations involving sensitive issues

Charitable Fundraising and Philanthropy Director:

• Skills in effective grant/funding application writing
• Demonstrated experience in driving or contributing to a successful fundraising campaign to obtain funding

A position description is attached.