ACON Board and Committee Members - Expression of Intertest

ACON is Australia’s largest health promotion organisation specialising in community health, inclusion, and HIV responses for people of diverse sexualities and genders. Established in 1985, ACON works to create opportunities for people in our communities to live their healthiest lives.

We are grounded in the belief that diversity is our strength, our differentiator, and at the core of who we are and what we do. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we encourage applications from people living with HIV, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and LGBTQ people from culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse, migrant and refugee backgrounds, and LGBTQ people of colour.

Organisation Description and Purpose:

ACON was formed in 1985 as a community response to the HIV crisis through education, care and action. Over the past 40 years, we have grown to address more of the health and social priorities of our communities. Today, ACON is a respected, community-controlled health organisation supporting all people living with HIV, as well as people of diverse sexualities and genders. We deliver high-quality health campaigns, provide trusted direct services, and build strong, connected communities. Employers and other organisations turn to us for support to become more inclusive, and governments rely on our advice to create the greatest impact for our communities.

Our ambition is to create healthier and more connected communities by measuring our impact, scaling effective programs, and improving quality across all areas of our work.

Achieving this requires a skilled and engaged workforce, sustainable resources, and contemporary systems and infrastructure. It also requires a skilled and engaged board to deliver the highest standard of oversight and governance.

Opportunity Description and Skills and Experience Sought:

ACON is seeking expressions of interest from skilled leaders who want to bring their knowledge, expertise, passion and experience to the governance of Australia's largest community-led HIV and LGBTQ+ health organisation.

We are seeking people who share ACON's values and commitments to our communities with an understanding and interest in governance, particularly in a community health context. We are interested in people who bring diverse perspectives and lived experience and professional skills and experience to our governance, including: 

• Board of Directors: Successful candidates will provide strategic leadership and strong governance to ACON, bringing their skills, perspectives and commitment to ACON’s values. The Board has identified a specific need for candidates with skills and experience in any of the following: marketing, communications and branding; quality; digital technology, innovation and data governance; legal services; fundraising and partnerships; and research.

• Finance, Audit and Risk Committee: Successful applicants will help strengthen Acon’s financial stewardship, risk management and accountability, providing expert advice and oversight. The Committee has identified a specific need for candidates with skills and experience in any of the following (but not limited to): legal services; risk management; technology; accounting; health or human services experience.

• People and Culture Committee: Successful candidates will help shape a workplace culture that reflects ACON’s values and supports our people to thrive. The Committee has identified a specific need for candidates with skills and experience in any of the following (but not limited to): industrial relations, organisational design, and workplace strategy.

Committee positions may be suitable for people with relevant professional backgrounds looking to build governance experience.

At ACON, diversity is a source of strength, and we believe that the unique perspectives, backgrounds and lived experiences of our communities make us stronger. We actively seek candidates from all parts of our communities, locations across NSW and with lived experience in any of the health issues we work on.

 

Time Commitment Required:

The ACON Board meets six to seven times a year, usually each second month. Meetings are typically held on Monday evenings, with one all-day Saturday meeting in June. Most Board members are also members of a subcommittee or working group as required. 

The Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee meets six-seven times a year, usually each second month. Meetings are typically held on Monday evenings.

The People and Culture Committee meets quarterly, typically on a Thursday.

Meetings are held in person, with options for online attendance.

These positions are not remunerated. Reasonable expenses such as significant travel is supported by ACON.

Benefits of Joining the Board:
Joining the ACON Board or one of our Committees is an opportunity to:

• Make a difference by contributing to ACON's mission and helping improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ communities and people living with HIV.
• Stay connected to community and contribute your skills, experience and perspective to an organisation deeply connected to the communities it serves.
• Build meaningful connections with community leaders, partners, advocates and professionals across the LGBTQ+ health and HIV sectors.
• Share and grow your skills through meaningful governance work.
• Work alongside exceptional people, including experienced Board and Committee members and a professional, passionate and expert team of staff and leaders.
• Help shape ACON’s future, contributing to the strategic direction, sustainability and impact of an organisation with a long history of community-led change.

Please see link to ACON's Constitution, Diversity Statement and Impact Strategy available on our website: 

Who We Are - ACONACON – We are New South Wales’ leading HIV and LGBTQ+ health organisation.
 

Application details:

If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply to join our team and help us make a meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve. By joining us, you will be part of a mission to create a healthier and more inclusive community.

Please apply with CV and Cover Letter or LinkedIn or other social media.

We highly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from CALD backgrounds, people with disabilities, and people of all genders to apply.

For more information on the role, please contact Mathew Howard, Company Secretary, mhoward@acon.org.au

If you are ready to apply, please apply via the 'Apply' function at the end of this page.

We look forward to receiving your application.