The Aboriginal Carbon Foundation (AbCF) has an opportunity for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person to join our Board as a Non-Executive Board Member. The aim of this position is to ensure that Indigenous leadership, knowledge systems, and perspectives are embedded at the highest level of decision-making within the AbCF, reinforcing our commitment to Indigenous self-determination, ethical governance, and investment in community-led climate solutions.

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. 

OUR Goals

• Indigenous-led initiatives that draw on ancient cultural lore and cutting-edge technology (carbon farming, nature repair, and climate solutions) are scaled throughout Australia and the Indo-Pacific region.
• Strength-based and self-determining community development leads to increased economic sovereignty.
• Indigenous-led solutions and expertise is advocated and eco-colonial, problems-narratives are exposed and dismantled.
• The AbCF is the go-to Indigenous led organisation for the development and sale of high integrity carbon farming, nature repair and climate change initiatives within Australia, and the Indo-Pacific.
• AbCF is financially secure, with sustainable funding streams that enables steady organisational growth.

OUR VALUES:

• Indigeneity: First Nations’ culture, community and lore are at the forefront of everything we do, our ethos is centred around First Nations’ knowledge, science and technology in the application of taking care of country for future generations. 
• First Nations-led: we listen and engage with communities and Traditional Owners and support self-determined community development initiatives.
• People-centred: by putting people and culture first we create a unique way of working with and alongside First Nations to improve the social and emotional wellbeing for all First Nations people.
• First Nations Justice and equity: we develop new systems that benefit communities and address climate change and challenge unjust structures that oppress the Global South and First Nations people.
• Collaboration: we join forces with like-minded Indigenous organisations and communities, carbon companies, NGOs, conservation groups, universities, industry and governments acknowledging that together we can achieve greater impact.
• Integrity and accountability: we are a lean organisation and are responsive to the needs of communities and traditional owners and act honestly, ethically and are accountable for our actions.

Our Board of Directors brings a range of expertise in several of the following skill areas:

• Indigenous Corporate Governance experience - Indigenous governance recognise what makes our culture unique: our beliefs system, knowledge holders and our laws and rules for our society. Indigenous governance combines cultural governance with corporate governance. AICD director’s qualification would be desirable.
• Aboriginal Cultural knowledge and Land Management – Applications from Rangers are welcomed.
• Research and Development
• Conservation and Land Management
• National and International Trade
• Finance & accounting skills - An Australian Financial Services License would be an advantage.
• Industry knowledge – experience in similar organisations would be useful.
• Being a Not-for-Profit Board, there is an expectation that Board members will assist in stakeholder relationship development and the promotion of funding and investment opportunities.

Being on the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation Board typically requires a minimum commitment of 2-4 hours per quarter:

• Preparing for and attending, in person or virtually, a 2-hour Board meeting per quarter.
• Preparing for and attending, in person or virtually, one 2-hour sub-committee meeting each quarter.
• Preparing for and attending, in person, a one-day retreat once every year.
• Generally promoting the organisation and its goals by attending meetings, forums and workshops representing the Board.
• Engaging in urgent governance matters that may arise from time to time.

A nominal meeting stipend is provided for each meeting ($400 in person full day meetings, $200 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.