Despite advances in what we know about the causes and prevention of family violence, the incidence of reported family violence is on the increase. Family violence prevention and response is a complex and evolving space, but one thing remains unchanged: families escaping family violence need refuge and support. That’s where Refuge Victoria comes in, and now you have the opportunity to play a pivotal role in its future direction as our next Board Chair.

About Us

Refuge Victoria is one of the largest specialist providers of family violence refuge accommodation in Victoria. We support and empower people at serious risk due to family violence on their journeys to safety and freedom. From our beginnings in 1976 when we opened our first refuge to help women and children in our community, we have seen growth and transformation. We now operate three core and cluster facilities, 15 standalone refuge accommodation properties, and have nomination rights to 35 transitional homes, supporting, enabling, and empowering over 500 people each year. 

We provide refuge and crisis accommodation, risk assessment and management, and case management support to help equip our clients with the skills and confidence to reconnect safely back into the community. Our staff have expertise in working with diverse family groupings including LGBTIQ+ led families, families without permanent residency, with a member who has a disability, and sibling groups escaping violence.  

The Opportunity

Are you a values-driven leader with a strong background in NFP governance? Do you possess exceptional business instinct and acumen and a track record of turning strategy into action? If so, we invite you to apply to lead Refuge Victoria as our next Board Chair.

We are looking for an individual with a strong NFP governance background, passion for social justice, exceptional business acumen and a proven track record in strategy development and execution. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team leader, an effective communicator and committed to Refuge Victoria’s vision, mission, and values.

Our current Chair's term concludes in early 2024. As the new Board Chair, your leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future direction of the organisation, to ensure its agility and sustainability. This volunteer role offers a unique opportunity to make a profound impact on the lives of those affected by family violence.

About you – Board Chair - Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience serving at an executive level on a NFP Board.
• Significant knowledge of the Family Violence sector in Victoria.
• Knowledge of the delivery of human services or health promotion responding to women and children experiencing family violence or experience in a relevant field.

Desirable

• A formal governance or social science qualification or equivalent qualification in a relevant field, e.g., GAICD, Bachelor degree in Social Work, Social Science, Policy, Accounting, Finance, Law, Human Resources, etc.
• Lived experience of family violence as a victim/survivor.
• Previous Chair experience.
• An understanding of relevant theories and practice frameworks that relate to family violence, therapeutic interventions, case management and support services.

Key Attributes

• Strategic thinking and ability to drive consensus.
• Experience with Board and best practice corporate governance.
• Collaborative leadership facilitator.
• Strong business instinct and acumen.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build, maintain and manage high level relationships with an organisation’s stakeholders, including executive management, members, founders, donors, and community/corporate partners.

Commitment

• Board: minimum 3-year term, with the option to extend for a further 3-year term.
• Chair: minimum 1-year term, with an option to re-nominate for up to two further terms before the position must be vacated for at least one year.
• Total time commitment: approximately 6 hours per month.
• Strategy and planning day – one day a year, or as required.
• Representation of Refuge Victoria’s Board at events and key stakeholder meetings from time to time.
• Availability to attend at least 6 Board meetings annually, held on the fourth Monday of every second month, with meetings held face to face in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
• Capacity to serve on Board sub committees, which meet virtually on alternate months or as required, and take part in ad hoc working groups from time to time.

next steps:

To express your interest, please submit your application via the Apply now link.

Refuge Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners and custodians of the lands and waters on which we live and work.

Refuge Victoria strives to be an inclusive, safe and responsive organisation that promotes diversity and actively supports inclusion for people and communities identifying as, but not limited to:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
• LGBTQI+
• People with disabilities
• People from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds
• People of all ages
• People with caring responsibilities
• People with diverse religious beliefs or affiliations.