The Role

The Board of ARC Justice is seeking new Board Directors to ensure the Board has diverse skills and experience to lead implementation of Strategy 2024 – 2029, and enable best-practice Board succession.

As a member of the Board, you will share responsibility and decision making with other Board Directors for the overall governance of the organisation.

About ARC Justice

Advocacy and Rights Centre Limited (trading as ARC Justice) is a public company limited by guarantee.

We are an independent, not-for-profit human rights and social justice organisation which promotes equality before the law for people in rural and regional Victoria. Our vision is an inclusive community built on a foundation of human rights and equality before the law.

Our programs deliver accessible legal services, tenancy advocacy and social support to those in our community in greatest need. We deliver community education and advocate for systemic change that enhances the rights of rural and regional Victorians. We recognise that housing and legal issues do not occur in isolation, and we work with partners to ensure a whole of person approach to our work.

With offices in Bendigo and Shepparton, our services cover 13 local government areas across central and northern Victoria.

More information can be found on our website (www.arcjustice.org.au).

Skills and Experience

Please note that this is a voluntary position, with the organisation providing support for training and qualifications through appropriate programs such as those provided by the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

The successful candidates will need to demonstrate a mix of the following skills and experience:

Essential:

We consider the following skills to be essential for all Directors:

• Ability to monitor the organisational performance and evaluate the achievement of strategic and business plans and budget outcomes.
• Ability to ensure the organisation has an appropriate risk management framework, manages its risks appropriately and in line with board expectations, and remains compliant with all relevant legislation, external standards and policies.
• Participate in strategic planning and bring critical thinking to all board matters.
• Willingness to uphold our Values and comply with our Code of Conduct and policies.
• High level interpersonal skills and a constructive, collaborative approach.

Preferred:

We maintain a comprehensive Board Skills Matrix, which enables us to ensure the collective skills and experience are such that the Board can meet all its obligations. We are actively seeking additional board members with the following skills and will give priority to these candidates:

• Experience in funding diversification and expanding philanthropic and social impact networks.
• Enhancing First Nations allyship, continuing ARC Justice’s commitment to anti-racism and cultural humility. Applications from First Nations people are particularly encouraged.
• Experience in Climate Justice, including connection with organisations and government bodies enhancing regional climate adaptation measures, preparation for and response to climate disasters.
• Familiarity with and/or a connection to the geographic areas and community groups in which the organisation operates.
• Experience with technology, cybersecurity, AI and data governance.
• Experienced in legal practice, particularly in the social justice fields.

We foster a work environment that is inclusive and diverse, and we encourage and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds.

Time Requirements

This role requires the following time commitments:

• Attend bimonthly Board meeting. These are held online, generally on the second Tuesday of every second month, from 5.00 – 7.00pm. Board meeting papers are distributed approximately one week in advance and are taken as read at the meeting.
• Attending an annual strategic planning workshop. These are in-person events held in a part of our regional catchment and ARC Justice directly organises or fully reimburses travel and accommodation costs for these events.
• Requirement to participate in at least one Board Committee.

To apply for the role, please click 'Apply Now' to submit a copy of your CV and a cover letter no later than 5.00pm on the closing date, highlighting how you best meet our preferred skills and experience.

Interviews will be scheduled in July and August 2026.

If you would like more information about this role, please contact Board Chair Erin Turner at [email protected] using the subject line: Board Non-Executive Directors (Voluntary) - Bendigo / Shepparton enquiry via EthicalJobs to make a time to talk. For more information on practical matters, please contact CEO Damian Stock on 0404 034 069.

A position description is attached.