SANE Australia is inviting applications for two Non-Executive Directors.

About SANE Australia

SANE Australia is the leading organisation making a real difference for the five million people affected by complex mental health issues nationally. Australians affected by complex mental health issues – such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, complex trauma, and severe depression and anxiety – experience major barriers in accessing quality, affordable support, and face high levels of stigma and discrimination. SANE is committed to changing this reality through its digital and phone counselling, peer support services, arts programming and services, and advocacy and research programs.

SANE is the first organisation in the world to have received accreditation from the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Healthcare for digital mental health services and programs.

About this opportunity

SANE is a company limited by guarantee, and a registered charity with offices in Melbourne and Sydney. Our mission is to make a real difference in the lives of people and families with complex mental health needs. The Dax Centre is part of SANE group and operates with a mirror board.

SANE respects and champions the individual and collective expertise of people with a lived experience of mental health issues and their families, and communities, and people impacted by suicide.

We recognise their vital contribution at all levels and value the courage of those who share this unique perspective for the purpose of learning and growing together to achieve better outcomes for all.

We are seeking Directors who display integrity, independence and ethics and are collaborative, curious and courageous. Emotional intelligence, commercial judgement and business acumen are highly valued as is being an active contributor with a strong commitment to the SANE vision, mission, purpose, and values.

Essential Criteria

• Board meetings are held during business hours, six times per year.
• Board subcommittees meet three to four times per year and Directors are required to participate in on subcommittee.
• This is a volunteer (unpaid) position.
• Travel and other agreed expenses are covered by SANE Australia in line with SANE’s Travel Policy.
• Knowledge of the responsibilities of a Non-Executive Director, including an understanding of the contemporary governance practices, legal, ethical, fiduciary, and financial responsibilities of Board members.
• Legal expertise – the board’s responsibility involves overseeing compliance with numerous laws as well as understanding the individual director’s legal duties and responsibilities.
• Strategic expertise – the ability to review the strategy through constructive questioning and suggestion and contribute to the effective decision making of the board.
• Accounting and finance – the ability to read and comprehend the company’s accounts, financial material presented to the board.
• Risk Management – experience in managing areas of major risk management to the organisation.

Highly Desirable

We are seeking applications from candidates who meet at least one of the main skills profiles that the Board is looking to strengthen:

1. Candidates who identify as Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander and have expertise and experience in one or more of the following:
   • a leader in a relevant field or sector;
   • expertise in social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention;
   • expertise in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander workforce development;
   • expertise in partnerships and community engagement.
2. Candidates with professional expertise in mental health support or services
3. Medical or clinical expertise including in physical health and wellbeing, psychology, or social work

Other desirable attributes include candidates with attributes / experience in any of the following:

• Public policy and government engagement
• Digital services
• Arts and creative sector

We encourage applications from people with lived experience of mental health issues, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, people from CALD and LGBTQIA+ communities, and people of all ages.

Successful applicants will be required to complete a Police Check and Working With Children Check. As we are a company registered with ASIC, a Director ID will also be required. Other routine compliance requirements will also be required to be completed;

• Consent to Act
• Disclosure of Interests
• Non-Disclosure Agreement

A full induction program is offered to successful candidates. SANE can offer support to successful applicants who are new to a Director role in the form of mentoring, coaching or training in governance.

How to apply

For further information, please contact Lucy Myer, Chair SANE Australia c/o [email protected] using the subject line: Non Executive Directors x2 (Voluntary) enquiry via EthicalJobs.