Board Director Opportunity - This Life Incorporated

Transform Lives. Shape Policy. Drive Systemic Change. Join the Board of an award-winning international NGO at a pivotal moment of growth and impact.

About This Life

Founded in 2007, This Life is an International NGO registered in Australia, operating from Siem Reap in Cambodia, and a winner of over 30 international awards for innovative community development programming in Cambodia. This Life has gained recognition for innovative, community-driven programming that reduces incarceration rates, prevents family separation, and strengthens education systems. Our evidence-based approaches have influenced national policy.

Working at the intersection of justice reform, child protection, education, and gender equality, This Life operates primarily in Cambodia, supporting children, women, families and communities as they define and implement their own solutions to complex social challenges. Where we operate in Cambodian provinces, we've reduced juvenile recidivism from 60% to under 2%. Our community-led approaches have influenced national policy development in Cambodia, and our award-winning campaigns have reached audiences across the region and globally.

Currently evolving our strategic approach into five integrated strategic pillars, This Life is an active advocate for progressive development practice, and with 90% Cambodian staff, an example of locally led development in action. This Life maintains the highest professional standards through accreditation with the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), registration with the Australian Charities and Not for profit Commission (ACNC), Australian Council For International Development (ACFID) membership, and Governance and Professional Practice (GPP) certification in Cambodia.

Led by an Executive Director whose dedication to juvenile justice reform drives systemic change, and a Deputy Director who has engaged with global leaders, including President Obama, This Life delivers evidence-based programs that achieve measurable impact.

This Life NGO is a child safe organisation and requires all participants, from employees to the Board, to attest and adhere to the organisational position of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, and best practice safeguarding of children and mandatory reporting.

The Opportunity

Join us at a crucial time where you can influence and make an impact as we launch our new Strategic Plan 2025-2030 to scale impact across:

• Position: Board Member
• Term: 2 years (renewable, maximum 3 consecutive terms)
• Commitment: 6-8 hours per month
• Meetings: 6 online board meetings per year
• Status: Voluntary position
• Strategic Cycle: 5 years, beginning January 2026

Join us at a crucial time where you can influence and make an impact as we launch our new Strategic Plan 2025-2030 to scale impact across:

• Justice Reform & Alternatives to Detention - ensuring children and youth in conflict with the law have access to fair, rights-based, non-custodial responses and diversion programs.
• Family & Community Strengthening - reimagining care by reintegrating children from residential care institutions into family and community-based care, preventing unnecessary institutionalisation, and supporting vulnerable families to stay together, access services, and build resilience.
• Safe & Empowered Childhoods - creating safe environments where children thrive through protection, inclusive education, and psychosocial care.
• Youth Opportunity & Participation - enabling local youth to shape their futures through education, vocational training, leadership, and civic engagement.
• Systems Change, Learning & Organisational Excellence - delivering transformative, scalable impact through strategic partnerships and organisational resilience.

Who we are looking for

Committed professionals with a passion for purpose who can accelerate our impact during this transformational strategic cycle. We need leaders with expertise aligned to our strategic pillars. We particularly welcome candidates with expertise in:

• Strategic leadership and Board or governance experience
• Experience in the development or NGO sector
• Resource mobilisation and fundraising experience, and connections
• Justice reform, child protection, and/or human rights
• Financial management and organisational oversight
• Communications, advocacy, and/or policy development
• Gender equality and social inclusion
• International development and community-led approaches
• Research, evaluation and evidence-based programming
• Direct experience in Cambodia, Asia or the Pacific is valuable

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Guide the Executive Team to implement the 2025-2030 strategic framework
• Financial Stewardship: Ensure sustainable funding models and sound fiscal management
• Resource Mobilisation & Fundraising: Leverage networks and expertise to support fundraising strategies and cultivate donor relationships and revenue
• Policy Influence: Champion This Life's sector leadership and evidence-based advocacy
• Risk & Governance: Maintain excellence in risk management, compliance and good governance practice while enabling innovation and growth
• Network Expansion: Open doors and build strategic partnerships that amplify our impact

Our Commitment to Inclusion

This Life is committed to equal opportunity and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. We actively encourage applications from women, LGBTQI+ individuals, people with disabilities, people of Cambodian heritage and candidates from diverse ethnic, cultural, and professional backgrounds.

How to Apply

To apply, click 'Apply now' to select the relevant position and click 'Apply' to be redirected to our online recruitment system.

Application Process

Only applications received via our online recruitment system, OrangeHRM, can be accepted.

• Select the Board of Directors position
• Complete all information and answer mandatory questions ONLINE in one sitting (you cannot save and return later)
• Upload your CV and cover letter as one combined document, addressing:
  • Your alignment with This Life's mission and values
  • Relevant experience and expertise for Board governance
• Scroll to the end of the form and click Submit
• Confirm you see "Application Successfully Submitted" in the top right corner

Important Application Notes

• All questions marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory
• Applications missing required information cannot be accepted
• Late applications cannot be accepted after the closing date
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews

Upon Selection: As This Life works directly with children and vulnerable groups, successful candidates will complete mandatory safeguarding requirements:

• Two professional references
• Completed nomination form
• Working With Children Check
• National Police Check
• Consent for background check with Namescan.io
• Policy acknowledgements (Child Protection, PSEAH, Code of Conduct)

Selection Timeline

• Board review: November 2025
• Interviews: Early December 2025
• Appointments: January 2026 AGM

Questions?

Contact: [email protected] / [email protected] using the subject line: Board Director (Voluntary) - Remote / Work from Home enquiry via EthicalJobs.

This Life is a child safe organisation with zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

Learn more: thislife.ngo

We look forward to receiving your application :)