Seeking an Independent Member - Finance, Audit and Risk Management (FARM) Sub-committee of the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation

The Aboriginal Carbon Foundation (AbCF) has an opportunity for a person to join our FARM Sub-committee as an Independent Member for a period of two years.

The AbCF was established in 2010 as a registered not-for-profit company limited by guarantee in Australia and is a Corporate Authorised Representative of AFSL No. 298851. The Strategic Plan 2024-29 sets our pathway forward, and we have Offices located in Alice Springs, Cairns, Sydney, and Melbourne.

We operate on the cutting edge of ideas and community-based solutions. We bring together people with fresh ways of working, professional experience, and a desire to achieve outcomes that tackle Indigenous poverty and climate change through a strengths-based approach. With a strong culture of innovation and collaboration, the AbCF supports carbon farming and biodiversity projects and connects communities that supply Australian Carbon Credit Units with organisations seeking to offset their carbon pollution.

Our Vision

Aboriginal Carbon Foundation (AbCF) drives economic independence and community prosperity with First Nations peoples through innovative Indigenous-led restorative landscape and climate change solutions. 

PURPOSE OF THE FARM SUB-COMMITTEE

The FARM Sub-committee will assist the AbCF Board of Directors in fulfilling the Board’s oversight responsibility to the members and other stakeholders relating to the:

• effectiveness of the AbCF’s risk management framework and control;
• integrity of the AbCF’s financial statements;
• effectiveness of the AbCF’s internal control over financial, statutory and grants reporting;
• AbCF’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;
• independent auditor’s qualifications and independence;
• regular review of external audits; and
• performance of the AbCF’s external auditors.

The FARM Sub-committee is also required to:

• maintain free and open communication between itself, the external auditor and management of the AbCF’s; and
• determine that all parties are aware of their responsibilities.

Sub-Committee Membership

The FARM subcommittee constitutes a maximum of six positions. The Board appoints members to the FARM subcommittee. The members of the FARM Committee shall be:

• An AbCF Director with finance, audit and risk management expertise as Chair;
• two other AbCF Board Members; and
• independent member with finance, audit and risk management expertise.

Role of Independent Member

An independent member of the FARM sub-committee is a person who has been appointed following external advertisement and who:

• has skills relevant to a finance, audit and risk committee;
• has not, within the last three years, been employed by the AbCF;
• is not a member of the immediate family of a person who, within the last three years, has been employed as an executive or acting executive by the AbCF. immediate family member has the same meaning as in section 9 of the Corporations Act 2001 (C’th);
• is not a principal of, or consultant to, a professional adviser to the AbCF where that professional adviser has provided significant services to the AbCF in the last three years;
• is not a significant supplier or customer of the AbCF or a related entity or an officer of or otherwise associated directly or indirectly with a significant supplier or customer in the last three years; and
• is free from any interest and any business or other relationship that could, or could reasonably be perceived to, materially interfere with the member’s ability to act in the best interests of the AbCF.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

A nominal meeting stipend is provided for each quarterly meeting ($400 for full day in-person meetings, $200 for half-day Zoom meetings), in addition to travel costs for in-person meetings.

Call 0427 013 318 if you would like to discuss the position.

A position description is attached.