Are you a purpose-led leader and advocate at heart?

Looking for an opportunity to bring your experience, energy and drive to a high-impact organisation focused on inclusion, accessibility and equal rights?

Ready to lead a respected national organisation into its next chapter, representing millions of Australians with hearing loss?

If you’re an experienced, future-focused person with good communication skills and an understanding of health issues, particularly hearing health; and the political landscape, we’d love to connect with you.

Deafness Forum Australia is the national peak body representing Australians with hearing challenges and advocating for hearing health and wellbeing as a national priority.

Our mission is to ensure that all Australians with hearing loss live well in the community. We address barriers and advocate for public policy that supports the rights and dignity of people with hearing loss.

We’re looking for an authentic, committed professional to join our established Board and lead the organisation into its next chapter.

About the organisation

The Australian Government recognises Deafness Forum Australia as the national independent citizen representative peak body for all Australians with hearing challenges, ear or balance disorders, and their families and supporters.

Deafness Forum Australia is the trusted, national, independent citizen voice for the whole hearing health and deafness sector.

Our strategic goals are:

• Raise awareness and inclusion: Promote understanding and inclusion for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Prevent hearing loss: Advocate for measures to prevent hearing loss across all age groups.
• Improve identification and management: Enhance the early detection and management of hearing issues.
• Close the gap: Focus on improving ear and hearing health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

About you

• You understand the issues, nuances and stakeholders in the disability community.
• You’re a natural advocate, keen and able to present the organisation and the voice of our members and citizen community.
• You’re politically-savvy and understand the federal government landscape.
• You’re equally comfortable in a local community meeting as you are in Ministerial offices.
• We are particularly interested in applicants who have demonstrated leadership and governance skills through previous board or committee membership.
• People with a background in the disability sector, particularly those with personal experience of hearing health challenges, will be given priority consideration.

About the Chair role

We’re looking forward to working with the new Chair on how they’d like to contribute to our organisation, members and strategic goals.

The Chair’s role will include facilitating effective board communication, enhancing the organisation’s public and stakeholder relations and working with all Board members and the CEO on effective governance and strategic oversight.

Key responsibilities:

• Leadership and governance: Steer the board in setting and maintaining the vision, ethos, and strategic direction of the organisation.
• Meeting management: Organise and lead board meetings, ensuring a productive environment and effective decision-making.
• Stakeholder engagement: Together with the CEO, serve as the key liaison between the Board and other community and government stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and advocacy

About the commitment

• Our Board meets 3-4 times per year
• The next meetings are mid-November (Sydney) and mid-March (Hobart)
• All Board members travel interstate twice a year for in-person Board meetings and member engagement (expenses paid)
• We envisage the Board Chair will attend other events and meetings as required
• Proximity to Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne preferred

Interested?

Great! We're looking forward to connecting with you.

Expressions of interest can be submitted using the Apply Now button on this page.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, please apply asap.

If you have questions, please get in touch with Cynthia Harris - [email protected] using the subject line: Board Chair (Voluntary) - Deafness Forum Australia enquiry via EthicalJobs or call 0432 044 527.

Please note: This email address is for enquiries only, applications are not accepted via email.

Heart Talent is committed to responding to every applicant.