• Classification: Above the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award. This position is an executive management position negotiated by contract with the Board. Salary above the SCHADS Award will be negotiated with the successful candidate based on level of skills and experience and preferred hours.
• Location: Flexible/Remote working from home.
• Time commitment: Negotiable (between 20-38 hour week) depending on the successful candidates preference, fixed term until 30 September 2026
• Probation period: Six months.
• Reports to: Co-chairs of the Justice Reinvestment Network Australia Board. The role also involves regular liaison with other Directors as is necessary.
• Position begins: As soon as practicable after recruitment is finalised.

ABOUT YOUR ORGANISATION

JRNA was established in 2015 as an informal coalition of communities, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, allied entities, and advocates in justice reinvestment. This collective was founded on mutual exchange, communal resilience, and knowledge sharing.

In 2024, in response to the rapid growth and need in the justice reinvestment sector, particularly with the announcement of the Commonwealth funding program, JRNA was incorporated as a community-controlled organisation, with a 100% First Nations Board and membership drawn from grassroots communities leading justice reinvestment. JRNA’s vision is for self-determining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with the resources, power, and decision-making at the grassroots level, led by the grassroots people, to create healing, restoration, well-being, and collective strength, as true justice our way.

You can read more about JRNA on our website: https://justicereinvestment.net.au/.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The National Director will provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and executive management of JRNA, a newly incorporated community-controlled peak body to drive progress in justice reinvestment nationally.

This role is critical in advancing the organisation’s strategic direction, establishing its internal operations, and working with organisation’s members and the Board to deliver outcomes during a period of significant change and growth.

The National Director will drive systemic and transformational change through collaboration with
government, non-government, and community partnerships.

Key responsibilities and roles include:

• Strategic Leadership: Lead the development and advancement of the organisation’s strategic direction and growth to realise its purpose, vision, and long-term goals, and to contribute to building a strong sector and movement for justice reinvestment.
• Operational Management: Oversee the ongoing operations of the organisation, including the implementation of governance structures, financial management, and operational frameworks to ensure effective day-to-day functioning.
• Sector Leadership and Collaboration: Lead shared learning and build collaborative sector-wide activities that drive systemic change and collective action relating to justice reinvestment.
• Strategic Partnerships: Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with government, Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations, and other key stakeholders.
• Public Profile and Advocacy: Establish and promote the organisation’s role as the peak body for justice reinvestment in the Aboriginal Community-Controlled Sector and build awareness and support for First Nations grassroots-led justice reinvestment through advocacy, media engagement, and public representation.
• Systemic Change Leadership: Work with government and sector partners to influence and advocate for policy reform and systemic change.
• Board and Stakeholder Engagement: Provide expert advice to the Board, members, and key stakeholders to lead decision-making on justice reinvestment policy, build trust, drive influence, and advance the organisation’s strategic objectives.
• Fundraising and Donor Relations: Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive organisational fundraising and donations partnership plan to ensure sustainability of JRNA in alignment with the organisation’s strategic priorities and goals.
• Research leadership: Oversee research, evaluation and learning activities to inform advocacy and policy development.

ABOUT YOU

JRNA is looking for a passionate and dynamic leader with a strong commitment to respecting and centring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing in all aspects of our work to drive progress in justice reinvestment nationally.

Skills, knowledge and experience sought include:

• Demonstrated executive leadership experience, ideally within the Aboriginal Community-Controlled, advocacy, and justice sectors.
• Proven ability to lead strategic change within a new or rapidly evolving organisation, including a high-level of operational knowledge.
• Strong ability to develop trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders, including the ability to advance partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, government, non-government, philanthropic and corporate partners.
• Strong financial and risk management skills, including the ability to oversee organisational budgets and resource allocation.
• Exceptional advocacy, public speaking, and media engagement skills.
• Proven ability to develop successful fundraising strategies, including identifying and writing funding applications and managing donor/funder relationships.
• Knowledge of systemic issues and social determinants of contact with the criminal justice system, with demonstrated experience driving complex and evidence-informed systemic, legislative and/or policy reform.
• Demonstrated experience working with First Nations people and communities to advance self-determination and an enduring commitment to advancing First Nations community-led systems change.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

This position will be remotely-based with full time working from home benefits. The Justice Reinvestment Network Australia is open to providing further flexible work conditions for the successful candidate including flexible work hours and the option to work part-time hours that will best suit the candidate.

For further information, please email [email protected] using the subject line: National Director - Flexible Location / Remote enquiry via EthicalJobs, or call Aysha Kerr (Co-Chair of JRNA) on 0466 649 904.

A position description is attached.