• This is an identified role: for those who identify as First Nations, Black or a person of colour. 

ABOUT US

We are a powerful grassroots movement for racial justice, led by people of colour (migrant, refugee and people seeking asylum, and non-white people). We seek to abolish racist systems and build more humane worlds for those of us most impacted by them through:

• Community organising that builds the power and leadership of people of colour.
• Training that creates space for people of colour to heal, learn and grow.
• Campaigns that shift narratives, move decision-makers and win policy reforms on issues that matter to us.

We are working towards a world where people of colour can focus on collective care, going slow, political education, racial healing, nuanced and challenging conversations, building and repairing relationships, taking action, joy, growth, rest, reflection, creativity and imagination. A world where we all experience dignity and respect, regardless of our race, gender, religion, caste or class. For us, winning major political outcomes on racial and economic justice goes hand in hand with small personal transformations.

We are looking to appoint a National Director to join the leadership team and work collaboratively with the Board, staff team and volunteers to deliver the organisational goals through the below key areas of responsibility:

Strategy & Organisational Leadership

• Oversee the development and execution of high-impact issue-based campaigns, long-term policy and education campaigns, and agenda setting media moments.
• Finalise the development and execution of the ongoing organisational and political strategy that informs the organisation’s theory of change with significant input from our on the ground staff and experts.
• Oversee the growth of our membership and organising pathways in both depth and breadth.
• Build Democracy in Colour’s public profile by supporting staff to act as spokespeople to the media, decision makers and other organisations.
• Embody stewarded leadership - make decisions that always advance the priorities of our membership.

Planning & Governance

• Work with the Board and staff to implement, evaluate and report on the strategic plan.
• Lead an ethical organisation that conducts itself with integrity and complies with laws and regulations.
• Be responsible for board liaison, risk management and overall governance oversight.

HR Management

• Manage a mixture of senior and early career staff (5 individuals) coach, support work plans, and facilitate professional development
• Recruit staff and contractors where necessary.
• Sustain the impact-focussed, innovative, data-driven, culture where leadership is shared and everyone has significant freedom and real responsibility.
• Provide leadership in maintaining an organisational culture of anti-oppression.

Fundraising & Financial Oversight

• Provide strong financial stewardship and guide the organisation towards financial stability with multiple revenue streams including securing continued untied core funding.
• Run a financially sustainable organisation by diversifying the funding base with a view to increasing untied funding.
• Develop and maintain relationships with major donors, foundations and financial partners.

Skills & Experience

• Strong commitment to racial and economic justice.
• Understands community organising deeply.
• Understands corporate and political campaigning.
• Strong leadership and project management experience.
• Strong fundraiser: has existing philanthropic relationships or willingness to make them quickly.
• Very comfortable with online campaigning tools and remote work systems such as Zoom and Slack.
• Growth mindset: someone who thinks about solutions and that Democracy in Colour are capable of abundance.
• Strong interpersonal skills, willingness to build networks, or existing relationships within the social justice sector.
• Courageous and bold in the fight for racial justice.
• Willing to tackle the status quo.
• Upholds the values of racial justice and seeks to end white supremacy.

Technical Skills

• Systems thinker with excellent analytical skills and experience in campaign strategy.
• Interest and experience in data-driven work backed by a single source of truth CRM.
• Deep understanding of racial justice theory and the politics around race/racism in Australia.
• Experience with creative, effective grassroots and/or digital campaigning.
• Strong organisational and people management skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong skills in networking, diplomacy, negotiation and conflict mediation.

To be successful in this National Director role you will have a deep passion for racial justice and a world where the inherent worth and dignity of everyone is recognised. You will be resilient, and solutions focused with the ability to deal with uncertainty and complexity. You will have an open mind and a passion for developing leadership in others. You will also have a commitment to diversity, equity and anti-oppression.

• Salary: SCHADS Award Level 8: $120.331.12-125.066.24 + Super. Salary is based on relevant skills and experience. Pay rates may differ slightly depending on the SCHADS Award pay rates in your state.
• Location: Any capital city. Our current staff work remotely from Sydney, Newcastle, Perth, and Melbourne.
• Commencement: Negotiable start date around June 2024.
• This is an identified role: for those who identify as First Nations, Black or a person of colour. People from a diverse range of genders, cultures, abilities and experiences are actively encouraged to apply. We strongly encourage applications from People with Disabilities, women, trans and gender diverse people, and queer people of colour.

WHY WORK WITH US:

Democracy in Colour offers 15 days of Special Leave in addition to the National Employment Standards (20 days), flexible work arrangements (work from home, flexible hours), and the opportunity to work in a team entirely made up of people of colour.

ACCESSIBILITY 

If you meet most but not all of the skills and attributes, we still encourage you to apply. We are committed to removing barriers to people applying so please let us know if there’s something we can do to make it possible for you to apply.

MORE ABOUT WORKING AT DEMOCRACY IN COLOUR

We are currently working on the following major projects:

• A national campaign around Migration with Dignity.
• Working with communities of colour in Western Sydney to win climate justice policies that serve their needs and deliver access to clean energy for all households.
• Fighting hate speech in the media through our Hate is Not News campaign.
• Running our People of Colour Placement programs which creates jobs for people of colour across the social justice sector.
• Launching our People of Colour mid-senior level Placement Program to ensure that those most affected by climate change are the ones leading the fight.

We work collectively with other grassroots organisations on rapid response campaigns related to critical and urgent issues. We have been part of the following major wins for communities of colour:

• Ending the India Travel Ban: successfully campaigned to overturn the cruel and unusual ban on Indian Australians returning home to Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Held the NSW Berejiklian Government to account for its criminalisation of communities of colour in Western Sydney during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Forced the Australian Labor Party into a public reckoning on race during the 2022 federal election by campaigning for local community representation in the federal Western Sydney seats of Fowler and Parramatta.
• Ensured Income assistance for over 1 million Temporary Visa Holders who were neglected by the Morrison Government during the COVID-19 pandemic. We won this campaign as part of a coalition of national organisations.
• Ended right-wing extremist Sam Newman’s contract with Channel 9 before he started a new job as the host of The Footy Show.
• Cancelled Pauline Hanson’s regular slot on Channel 9’s Today Show .
• Successfully intervened in politically driven racialised narratives on “African gangs” during the 2018 Victorian election through a place-based community organising campaign. 
• Amplified the voices of LGBTIQ+ People of Colour during the 2017 Marriage Equality Survey. 

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT DEMOCRACY IN COLOUR

• We do our best to foster a collaborative, caring and equitable work environment that applies a strong racial justice, gender justice, and social equity lens to everything we do. This means: 
• Flexible work:  you can work remotely, choose flexible work hours, and structure your day in a way that centres work-life balance. 
• 15 days special leave - in addition to the National Employment Standards you can take paid leave each year for: Gender Affirmation, Cultural needs, Mental Health and Wellbeing and more. Leave is pro rata for part time staff. We recognise that racial justice work can be challenging and that people of colour, particular queer and trans people of colour have unique needs. This also includes 1 Rostered Day Off (RDO) per month for full time staff. 
• Being part of an organisational culture that cares more about impact achieved than hours worked. 
• Joining a team that cares deeply about having fun and celebrating successes. 
• Having autonomy and ownership over your work. 
• All remuneration and conditions at Democracy in Colour are covered by the SCHADS Award.