• Position title: Board Director
• Reporting to: Chair of the Board
• Hours: Variable
• Location: Work is undertaken by the director at their home/workplace using their equipment including computer, printer, internet, etc.
• Position type: Voluntary, ongoing

Overview of East Timor Hearts Fund

East Timor Hearts Fund is Australia's only medical NGO dedicated to providing life-saving heart surgery in Australia for young people from Timor-Leste (East Timor), as well as heart-health education and prevention activities.

East Timor Hearts Fund’s activities include visiting volunteer cardiologists supporting the Hospital Nacional Guido Valares cardiac clinic to conduct heart screening and patient reviews; bringing patients to Australia for life-saving heart surgery; a preventative penicillin program; and supporting capacity building for the new cardiac centre in Timor-Leste.

The organisation’s work program is underpinned by a three-year strategic plan. More information is on the website at www.easttimorheartsfund.org.au/what-we-do/.

East Timor Hearts Fund was established informally in September 2010 and incorporated as a company limited by guarantee in August 2012. It is registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission and has tax endorsements from the Australian Tax Office, including DGR.

In addition to the CEO, East Timor Hearts Fund has a small operational team based in Australia and Timor-Leste, which is supported by a large team of volunteers.

East Timor Hearts Fund is supported by partners including The Heart Foundation and leading Australian health organisations including St John of God Hospital Geelong, Eastern Heart Clinic, and Prince of Wales Private Hospital in New South Wales. In Timor-Leste, the organisation operates under a formal MoU with the Ministry for Health and delivers services in partnership with local NGO Maluk Timor.

Board director responsibilities

All board directors are expected to fulfil the following general duties:

• Attend bi-monthly board meetings, committee meetings, and other important meetings where needed.
• Contribute skills through board committees where appropriate and through active involvement in board projects or assignments where needed.
• Participate in strategic planning processes.
• Make an active effort to stay informed about the board/organisation, to be fully prepared for meetings and to review and comment on minutes and reports.
• Actively get to know other board members and build collegiate working relationships that contribute to robust decision-making and good outcomes for the organisation.
• Actively participate in board evaluation and planning exercises.
• Participate in board induction and gain awareness of the organisation and its activities, including a self-funded trip to Timor-Leste.
• Participate in fundraising activities and events and use networks to secure financial and pro-bono support for the organisation.

Skills and attributes

Directors require the following skills and attributes:

• Demonstrated experience in senior leadership / strategic roles
• Commercial acumen operating in mission-based organisations
• Board experience and formal governance training with a recognised body
• Proficiency with MS Office suite and cloud-based storage systems such as Dropbox and Google Drive
• Self-motivation and willingness to take responsibility for tasks and self-direct work
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Good organisational and time-management skills
• Ability to maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Other skills and qualifications as informed by the Board skills matrix
• Knowledge of Timor-Leste and/or a developing country context (desirable)

For more information or to apply for this role contact David at [email protected] using the subject line: Board Director and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.