As the peak body, MHCN works with and for mental health carers in NSW. We represent the voices and lived experience of mental health carers which help us to advocate systemically for mental health reform.

We are currently recruiting to fill a vacancy for an Ordinary Board Member (OBM) on MHCN’s managing Board.

MHCN is an inclusive organisation, but the general experience which we are interested in recruiting to the Board includes:

• Lived experience of supporting people with mental health concerns to use NSW mental health services, and/or;
• Professional experience in other relevant mental health or carer support programs or services.

Specific experience which we are interested in recruiting to the Board includes:

• Professional experience working in the NSW Health Family and Carer Mental Health Program (FCMHP), and/or;
• Legal expertise applied in mental health or community managed organisation governance relevant areas.

While these are our preferred criteria, if you have ever been on a community board before, or have thought about volunteering on one and these areas are of interest to you, please feel free to get in touch.

Expectations

If you are selected as a Board member you will be required to:

• Be familiar with and observe the Constitution, the Board Governance policies and other relevant MHCN policies, procedures, and documents.
• Observe the standards of ethical behaviour set out in the Code of Conduct.
• Disclose conflicts of interest in line with the Governance policies.
• Attend at least 75% of meetings and be prepared to come to Board meetings e.g., reading Board papers prior.
• Exercise competence and diligence in the understanding and oversight of organisational management.
• Exercise competence and diligence in the preparation of the annual audited financial report that is to be disclosed to the public.
• Contribute actively to Board discussions and consideration of decisions, and to commit time to Board work outside of meetings when needed.
• Promote a culture of clear and positive communication, and monitor key culture indicators such as psychological safety, inclusion, belonging, wellbeing and diversity.
• Be a team player, work in a collegial way and stand behind decisions of the Board once they are made.
• Participate in organisational policy reviews and complete agreed tasks and commitments.
• Advise if no longer able to contribute to the level required.

Term and Election

An appointed member of the Board may be selected at any time subject to concurrent membership of the organisation. You may join MHCN at any time through a short member sign up form via Survey Monkey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5CWMVYD

The term of an appointed Board member ends at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) after their appointment. However, appointed Board members will be encouraged to stand for election at that AGM, and if successful, would serve a two-year term in line with other elected members.

Selection Process

• Complete applications will be submitted to existing Board members for review.
• 2-3 Board members will review the applications and create a shortlist based on a matrix determined by the experience criteria listed in the job advertisement above.
• Successful shortlisted candidates will proceed to an interview.
• Interviewees will be sent the interview questions 1 day prior to the interview.
• Interviews will be conducted online via ZOOM or in person and will last 45 minutes - 1 hour.
• All interviewees will be asked the same set of questions, although the panel reserves the right to include set tasks to complete as part of the interview process and/or to ask additional clarifying questions if necessary.
• The panel will rank eligible applicants in order of preference.
• The panel will check references as provided by the selected applicants.
• The successful applicant will be offered the position. If they decline, the position will be offered to the next ranked applicant.
• All unsuccessful applicants will be notified via email as soon as possible after the recruitment process is completed.

MHCN will endeavour to recruit members to the Board that reflect the diversity of the services provided and the community it serves.

Full criminal record checks, referee checks and previous employment checks are required for all Board members.

If you have any questions, please contact MHCN at [email protected] using the subject line: Ordinary Board Member (Voluntary) enquiry via EthicalJobs or 02 9332 0777.

A Recruitment Kit is attached below.