GenWest is seeking applications to fill a number of vacancies on our skills-based, voluntary Board of Directors.

GenWest (formerly Women’s Health West) is the gender equity agency for the western metropolitan region of Melbourne. Since 1988, our programs and services have been designed to redress gender inequity and benefit victim-survivors of family violence in Melbourne’s west. Our mission at GenWest is supporting women and their children to lead safe and healthy lives, and changing the conditions that cause and maintain inequity and injustice. We do this through the provision of family violence services, health promotion activities and advocacy. We serve women, LGBTIQA+ folk, First Nations peoples, people with a disability, migrant and refugee communities, children, young people and older people. We support women in all their diversity to have a greater voice in local leadership and decision-making.

Person Specification

The GenWest Board is deeply committed to better reflecting and representing the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We warmly welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience, including diversity of age, cultural and linguistic background including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, religion, sexuality, ability and life experience.

We are seeking new Board members who can collectively contribute diverse perspectives, experience, knowledge and skills in the following specific areas:

1. Governance: Strategic thinking, leadership and governance and strategic risk management experience, ideally at board level – Non-Executive Director (NED) experience is not a prerequisite
2. Skills and Experience (one or more):

• Clinical and health expertise – Gained in any health and wellbeing environment including: crisis support, emergency response, health education, a local hospital, as a psychologist, counsellor, social or support worker.
• Fundraising – Proven expertise in diversifying funding models and helping organisations raise money from philanthropic, corporate, major donor and social enterprise networks in an executive or board context.
• Financial or accounting expertise – Ideally, CPA (or equivalent) qualified.
• Sector leadership and policy advocacy – Understanding of government policy gained by operating at a senior level within the sector GenWest operates.
• Leading organisational and cultural evolution – Evidence of having led transformation processes in a similar setting.
• Marketing/ Communications / Stakeholder Management – Proven ability to develop strategic communications plans for stakeholders or philanthropic donations that deliver results.
• Legal and regulatory compliance – Evidence of having an understanding of and experience working with organisations operating under similar regulatory and compliance environments as GenWest.

Networks and connections – Ideally high-level contacts with government (State, Federal or Local), philanthropic organisations or the broader health services sector.

Passion & Fit – Evidence of having a knowledge of and commitment to feminist advocacy, equity and inclusion.

Remuneration: These are voluntary appointments. However, financial support for governance training (on agreement) is offered, and most incidental costs are reimbursable.

Please note: Board Directors must work, live or study in the western metropolitan region, to ensure they are able to represent the community we serve.

Enquiries or requests for further information should be directed to David at [email protected] using the subject line: Non-Executive Directors x4 (Voluntary) enquiry via EthicalJobs.