• Location: New South Wales
• Area of expertise: Health Care and Social Assistance
• Remuneration: Voluntary 

The Organisation

Anowah was founded in 1967 as a school for children with intellectual disability in the Fairfield, Liverpool and Cabramatta LGA’s. In 1977 Anowah established a recreation and leisure centre for school leavers with disability, and during 1979 Anowah established residential accommodation for people with disability.

Anowah Community Living (Anowah) is dedicated to fostering genuine social inclusion for individuals with disabilities. Our mission is to empower them to be active and engaged citizens in Sydney's Third City. We provide supported independent living and related disability services to a small but close-knit client base of up to 30 individuals.

At the core of our history lies a tapestry of personalised support and connections between clients, their families, caregivers, and our dedicated staff.

We are on the cusp of transformative change, embarking on exciting new strategic initiatives that include expanding our disability support services,  and developing a long-term property strategy, among other endeavours. This marks a thrilling juncture to be part of our organisation, where you can make a real impact on the lives of our clients and their families and caregivers while supporting our high-quality and engaged workforce.

Today, as an NDIS registered provider, Anowah offers supported independent living services, support to access the community, centre based activities, capacity building and skills development for people with disability.

The Role

We are seeking to expand our existing board to fill gaps in our skills matrix. We are looking to bring aboard up to 3 or 4 new directors who are committed to promoting inclusivity, advocacy, and positive change within our community. We specifically encourage applications from candidates with a disability or lived experience of disability as well as a diverse skill set and a proven track record in areas such as expanding and diversifying disability services, networking and advocacy in the disability and human services sectors, branding and marketing, or property management and feasibility studies. Additionally, we value applicants who have established networks in various sectors, which we can leverage to further our mission. Ideally, candidates should also be prepared to assume dedicated Board roles, including Chairperson, Deputy Chair, and Secretary.

The executive team is a highly skilled and committed group, so the board’s role is strategic, not operational. The board has skills in accounting, project management, disability services and community programs, with a deep understanding of the sector through lived experience. Like all reputable SIL providers we work in a highly regulated environment and we have successfully navigated changes in government policies and NDIS implementation.

Highly Valued criteria

• Extensive prior involvement in systemic advocacy within the disability sector.
• Commitment to ensuring that the voice of carer advocates is heard in shaping our organisation moving forward.
• Good understanding of the current service system for people with disabilities and ability to articulate issues and challenges in the current environment.
• Good understanding of disability policy and government directions.
• Good understanding of corporate governance.
• Ability to work with a diverse Board in a cooperative and collegiate manner.
• Alignment with Anowah’s purpose and values.
• Demonstrated support for positive organisational culture.
• Experience in property development, management or financing
• Strong Financial acumen

Desirable Criteria

• Parent or family member of a person with a disability.
• Prior involvement on Boards in the Not for Profit sector.
• Strategic thinking and planning from a governance perspective.
• Knowledge of NDIS and related systems and processes.
• Good understanding of risk management and compliance frameworks.
• Good understanding of financial management from a governance perspective.

Commitments

The Board meets every two months via Teams or face to face at our Horsley Park site.  Board members can serve for a maximum of three years and re-apply by rotation. Thereafter, they are free to seek re-nomination for a further term.

People with a lived experience of disability, family members and carers are encouraged to apply.  Before acceptance to the Board, a NDIS Worker Screening Clearance and National Police Clearance, will be required.

Contact: 

For further details please contact our CEO Joanne Kernot on 0410 310 006 or by email on [email protected] or our Chair Steven Lowrie on 0403522332 or [email protected] using the subject line: Non-Executive Directors enquiry via EthicalJobs.