About the organisation

Muscular Dystrophy Australia (MDA) was founded in 1984 and is the national peak body for those living with neuromuscular disease (NMD) across Australia. Our Mission is to provide practical support and hope to both the muscular dystrophy and other related neuromuscular disease communities. We are often the first point of call when someone receives their diagnosis. We provide a safe place for families and those living with NMD to turn to for advice, practical support, and a friendly ear.

MDA represents the needs of more than 40,000 people living with one of 40 different types of NMD, which affect muscle strength. The support and services we provide use evidence-based and consumer-informed approaches to optimise the lived experience of NMD.

Our team’s key strength is our expertise in all forms of neuromuscular disease. Over the years we have built up a rich database of referral information and well-established support groups. We have an experienced operational executive team across operations, fundraising, marketing and client services and delivery.

The MDA funded research aims to stem disease progression and support innovative research projects. Together, we are a powerful force for people living with NMD.

With lived experience at the core of everything we do, MDA is working to deliver a brighter future to people living with NMD.

Is MND NMD?

Motor Nerone Disease (MND) is a type of NMD. What a difference one letter will make to 40,000 Australians, including children when funding is prioritised across all NMD research.

The way we work at MDA

We are rebuilding. Our culture is poised as high performance with capacity/resource ratios in balance, we lean-in and are agile, respectful, compassionate and caring. As a team we are productive and quiet with the right balance of professionalism.

The MDA culture fosters a collaborative approach that is respectful and iterative, building upon ideas, thoughts and expertise to seek input to reach consensus. MDA leads with values embedded into our CARED model.

COURAGE – ADVOCACY – RESPECT – EXCELLENCE - DYNAMIC

These values are an integral part of our Board culture, brand and positioning, and inform our decisions and behaviours in our dealings within the organisation, and externally with all our stakeholders.

Board member positions available

Following a combined 30-year tenure, three of our valued Board members are retiring and we are seeking suitable Board placements to match our new strategy across:

• Treasurer
• Governance and Risk
• Lived experience
• Disability/services
• Allied health/clinician/research
• Education – children, teens and young adults
• Pyscho/social/mental health
• NMD research and including immunotherapy and inflammation
• Legal
• Marketing and Communications
• Digital transformation
• NDIS
• Fundraising
• Community engagement

Behavioural duties and requirements of the role

• Contribute to and assist in the development of the organisations long-term strategies and transformation for growth and scale.
• Ensure the highest level of integrity is always maintained.
• Comply with all MDA Board policies and procedures including confidentiality, workplace health and safety and accessibility requirements.
• Considerate of the needs of all MDA stakeholders across the business: Board members, CEO, clients, suppliers, staff, etc.
• Embrace change and understand the risk appetite of an innovative and future-forward organisation to achieve mission.
• AICD/GAICD or equivalent trained and/or extensive experience