In alignment with our commitment to being a victim-survivor lead organisation, we are looking for someone with a lived experience of domestic, family or sexual violence.

The next stage of our organisational development is recruiting for the Board in a skills-focused way to ensure we have a Board that can take us to the next level, including sourcing core funding to deliver programs in alignment with our vision to enhance the capacity, knowledge and ethical approach for individuals and organisations to address domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) and other forms of gendered violence and abuse.

We are a survivor-led independent organisation dedicated to ending domestic, family, sexual, and gendered violence. Through valuing and embedding lived expertise, we drive systemic change and policy reform, transform societal attitudes, and amplify the voices of lived experience. Our mission is to co-create a society where all individuals live free from violence and abuse. Join us as we build a strong and inclusive community, support survivor advocacy, and work towards a future without violence.

About ICOS

In 2021, a Collective of more than 30 advocates from across Australia came together to address the systemic lack of victim survivor lived expertise being valued and recognised as a vital contribution to the evidence base.

The Collective commenced a campaign to have the voices and insights of lived experience embedded in policy decision making through the establishment of a Victim Survivor Expert Advisory Council for the next The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.

In response to the Collective’s leadership and negotiations with Commonwealth and all state and territory government representatives on the National Federation Reform Council Taskforce on Women’s Safety, the Morrison Government committed $1 million to ensure ongoing engagement with victim-survivors throughout the life of the next National Plan in support of the foundation principle. This investment has been re-committed to by the Albanese Government.

Members of the Independent Collective of Survivors drafted the Survivor Statement that opens the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.

Responsibilities of the Board

The ICOS Board is responsible for the governance, strategic direction, sustainability and reputation of ICOS including:

• Establishing the strategic plan and direction of the organisation.
• Ensuring the legal and financial requirements of the organisation are met.
• Establishing a robust risk management system.
• Writing and reviewing organisational policies and procedures.
• Being accountable for organisational activities and decisions.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation.
• Securing sustainable funding for the organisation.

Requirements of the Board

Board members are required to:

• Attend six bi-monthly Board meetings each year held online after hours.
• Participate in strategic planning or task-specific subcommittees, activities and training where possible.
• Abide by the rules of the Constitution including declaring any potential or actual conflicts of interest.

Selection criteria

1. Lived experience of domestic, family or sexual violence, including child sexual abuse.
2. Demonstrated commitment to the prevention of domestic, family and/or sexual violence.
3. Demonstrated commitment to intersectional feminism and working in a decolonising way.
4. Governance or Board experience.
5. Experience in community organisations, community development, or the not for profit sector.
6. Relevant skills in policy development, fundraising, event management, stakeholder management or communications.
7. (Relevant to the Treasurer role) – qualifications and/or experiences in accounting, book-keeping or financial management.

We are committed to being inclusive

At ICOS, diversity and inclusion are guiding principles; we seek to embed equality and accessibility in everything we do. It is the collective sum of all our diverse individual and collective identities, communities, experiences, and knowledge that enables us to tackle complex social issues together in partnership. We’re committed to working as a diverse team made up of people with experiences and skills from all backgrounds, welcoming and including First Nations peoples, LGBTIQ+, mature-age people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and people with visible and non-visible disabilities, regardless of sex, sexuality or gender identity.

A history of criminalisation is not exclusionary for you applying for this role.

A position description is attached.

All enquiries can be directed by email to [email protected], using the subject line: Board Members (Voluntary) enquiry via EthicalJobs, or by contacting Tess Moodie (Co-founding Director) on 0438 045 986.

More information about ICOS can be found on our website at icos.org.au.