Independent Director (Finance)
Closing date:
Australian Central Standard Time (ACST)
Type:
Casual
Term:
Non-ongoing/contract
Contract terms
2 years
Location:
Alice Springs
Northern Territory
Job category:
Director
Salary
Sitting fees apply
Employment package
Board meetings are held in person, but there is scope for dialling into meetings remotely.
Access to salary sacrifice.
Central Australia Aboriginal Congress
About Congress
For over 50 years Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress) has provided support and advocacy for Aboriginal people in the struggle for justice and equity. Today, Congress is one of the most experienced Aboriginal primary health care services in the country, a strong political advocate of closing the gap on Aboriginal health disadvantage and a national leader in improving health outcomes for all Aboriginal people.
Visons and values
Our vision (what we aim for)
All Aboriginal people in Central Australia are empowered through their cultural, economic, social and family life to enjoy the best of health.
Our purpose (what we do)
We are an Aboriginal community controlled comprehensive health care service. WE provide culturally responsive clinical and preventive services and program, and act on thee social, cultural, economic and political determinants of health.
Our values (how we act)
- Cultural Integrity
- Accountability
- Self-Determination
- Respect
- Compassion
- Governance
Since 2012, Congress has been an Aboriginal Corporation registered with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations pursuant to the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 20026. The Congress Board is committed to best practice governance to meet its legislative and corporate responsibilities. Community control is a key pillar of Congress’ foundational and strategic work and also reflected in how the board works together harnessing our individual and collective ways of (Indigenous) doing and knowing.
Congress Board of Directors are made up of non-executive directors. Eight (8) are members elected by the community (Member Directors) and up to three (3) are Independent Directors appointed by the Board. Independent Directors are not required to reside in Central Australia.
Job description/overview
The Opportunity
Independent Directors are appointed by the Member Directors of the Board for two (2) year terms. Independent Directors can be re-appointed but must not serve for a continuous period exceeding ten (10) years without a mandatory market approach.
Expectations of CAAC Board Directors (Members and Independent)
The primary duty of Directors is to Congress and its members, now and into the future and include :
- Duty to act in good faith in the best interest of Congress and for a proper purpose
- Duty to act with reasonable care, skill and diligence
- Duty to not misuse information or position
- Duty to disclose and manage conflicts of interest
- Duty to not trade while insolvent
- Duty to managed financial affairs responsibly (as required by statutory duties in relation to financial management, record keeping and reporting)
Commitment of Directors include:
- Participation in Board activities and functions
- Working with the other Directors in a collaborative and supportive manner
- Attending formally constituted Board meetings (up to eight times per year) and the AGM, plus any other directors’ meeting if/when required
- Participating in the meetings of Subcommittees of which they are a member and any other formal Board processes as required, and
- Behaving in a manner that is consistent with governance best practice in an Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation.
Expectations of CAAC Board Independent Director – Finance
The Independent Director – Finance:
- Provides strategic oversight of financial performance, budgets, and long-term forecasts.
- Chair the Finance & Risk and Audit Subcommittee, ensuring robust governance processes.
- Review and interpret financial reports and audit reports, ensuring transparency and accuracy for the Board and stakeholders.
- Oversee risk management frameworks—identifying, assessing, and mitigating organisational risks.
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Support the CEO and General Manager Corporate Services (GMCoS) in developing sustainable funding strategies and investment approaches.
- As a member of the Remuneration and Nominations Subcommittee, supports the board in the performance review, remuneration and nomination of the CEO.
- Contribute to broader Board discussions, bringing a finance and risk lens to strategic decisions.
Key Experience
- Proven senior leadership experience in finance, accounting, or risk management—ideally at Board or C-suite level.
- Board and/or governance experience in medium to large organisations in the health; primary health and/or Aboriginal-controlled sectors.
- Professional experience in identifying strategic, financial and operational and reputational risks and opportunities.
- Professional experience in examining financial reports, monitoring financial compliance and accountability.
- Experience either as a member of an audit committee or working with audit committees.