Board Vacancy
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 can play a pivotal role in its future direction.
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
We are looking to recruit up to two new volunteer Board members with a track record of community leadership to join us. Board members may join for a term of up to three years, with an option to extend for a further three years. The role carries the expectations of a NFP Board Director in providing strategic direction, oversight, and working with the CEO to implement the organisation’s strategic objectives. The Board is keen to hear from people who can bring depth of experience in any of the following areas:
- Business / strategic planning (essential)
- Family violence, homelessness or the human services sector (essential)
- Stakeholder management and engagement – human services sector-specific (essential)
- Board governance or Board committees (preferred)
- Risk and compliance – human services sector-specific (highly regarded)
- Legal / regulatory – human services sector-specific (highly regarded).
We welcome applications from people with sound judgement and integrity who share our vision for people escaping family violence to live safe and free. We welcome women with lived experience of family violence and/or refuge. We value diversity of thought and experience and believe that our inclusive and collaborative culture contributes to our success. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and are committed to supporting, encouraging and ensuring our people and service users are safe and celebrated. We recognise intersectionality and celebrate the diverse identities.
The Refuge Victoria Board meets in the evenings on the fourth Monday of alternate months (at least six times per year), with meetings held face to face in eastern Melbourne). Board members are expected to serve on Board sub committees, which meet virtually every second month or as required, and take part in ad hoc working groups from time to time.
How to Apply
To express your interest, please submit your CV to governance@refugevictoria.org.au by 2 April 2024.
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
- LGBTIQ+
- 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.