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- Expressions of Interest – WaterAid Australia Board Member
- Applications Form – WaterAid Australia Board Member
WaterAid Australia is seeking expressions of interest to fill two Non-Executive Director positions on our Board. We are looking for one Director with a background in development, ideally with a personal connection or professional experience with Timor-Leste or Cambodia. We are also looking for one Director with experience in philanthropy to fill a skills based vacancy.
Over the last three years WaterAid Australia has undertaken a strategic process to reflect on how power is experienced within the organisation. This process identified many strengths including our strong collaborative leadership practice. The process also led to a wholistic review of the Board from a diversity perspective, which has driven Board composition decisions over the last three years. We are proud to have an exceptional Board, with members with a diversity of personal and professional experience overseeing our governance and strategic direction.
The Board is approaching the current Director recruitment process through this lens. WaterAid Australia is committed to having a balanced Board in terms of gender and with a diversity of experience, backgrounds and personal attributes including race, age, gender identity and sexual orientation and disability. We welcome applications from women, from First Nation’s people, from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from people with disabilities. We strongly encourage applicants who have lived experience of the issues WaterAid Australia work on.
Who we are
WaterAid is an international not-for-profit organisation. Our vision is a world where everyone everywhere has access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. Our mission is to transform lives through sustainable and safe water, sanitation and hygiene.
Everything we do is shaped by six values: Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Innovation, and Integrity
These values define our culture and unite us across the many countries in which we work. They are at the very heart of WaterAid – who we are, what we do and how we do it.
WaterAid International
WaterAid Australia is a member of the WaterAid International federation, which is made up of the following self-governing national member organisations: Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Sweden, the UK and US. Members share the same values, ambition, passion, culture and standards. Australia, India, the UK and US manage programs in over 20 countries on behalf of the global WaterAid network. To have the greatest impact, we share the same global strategy, which is available at: https://www.wateraid.org/our-global-strategy
Each member organisation mobilises support in its home country, engaging individuals, companies and institutions to raise funds and influence policies to support our mission. To make change happen on a global scale, members collaborate on regional and global advocacy and campaigns to influence governments, companies and international institutions.
WaterAid Australia and the Board of Directors
WaterAid Australia has an office in Melbourne and manages country programs in Timor-Leste, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea. Our Senior Executive team includes the Country Directors from the three programs who participate in all Board meetings.
WaterAid Australia’s Board has ten Directors, made up of:
- three Directors from the Australian water industry
- three Directors with experience in development
- four Directors with specific skills in key strategy and governance areas
Please see our website for further information:
- information on WaterAid Australia can be found at: https://www.wateraid.org/au/
- information on WaterAid Australia’s current Board, Chief Executive and Senior Executive team can be found at: https://www.wateraid.org/au/who-we-are
- WaterAid Australia’s annual reports and financial statements can be found at: https://www.wateraid.org/au/our-annual-reports
Requirements of Directors
WaterAid holds quarterly Board Meetings. Our intention is that one is held in person (in Melbourne or a program country) and three are held virtually. In addition to Board meetings, Directors are required to serve on and attend the quarterly meetings of one or two of the Board’s Committees (Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee, Programs and Advocacy Committee and Governance and Nominations Committee).
Directors are expected to commit time to studying papers, preparing for and attending meetings, following up on specific tasks with other Directors and liaising with the Chief Executive or other staff at the Chair’s or Chief Executive’s request. Directors are also expected to be active advocates of WaterAid’s work.
In total, this commitment is likely to take 10 to 15 days per year. Board and Committee meetings are held on Thursdays (the schedule of meetings for 2025-2026 is available upon request).
Remuneration
Board members work on a pro-bono basis and are not entitled to any remuneration for their role as Director. However, WaterAid Australia will meet or reimburse Directors for any reasonable travel and accommodation expenses incurred as part of that Director performing their duties on behalf of the organisation.
Vacancies on the Board
As stated above, we are looking for one Director with a background in development, ideally with a personal connection or professional experience with Timor-Leste or Cambodia, and one with experience in philanthropy.
The term of the appointment for the position is for three years, from August 2025, with the possibility of renewal for a further three years.
Selection criteria
As well as having a background in development or philanthropy, candidates must bring the following:
- a commitment to WaterAid’s vision, mission and values
- demonstrated commitment to gender equality
- demonstrated capability to collaborate and embrace diversity of thought, identity and experience
- a good understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of Directors in Australia and clarity on the difference between governance and management functions
- experience of high-level strategy development and effective implementation
- relevant networks, with the ability to engage with contacts and/or fulfil an ambassadorial role for the benefit of WaterAid
- an understanding of the context in which WaterAid works and the challenges of working appropriately and sustainably with partner organisations in our country programs, and
- the ability and willingness to devote the necessary time to the role of Director
While welcome, previous board experience is not essential.
Application process
Applications should be addressed to Ms Denisha Anbu, Chair of the Board’s Governance and Nominations Committee, at nominations@wateraid.org.au by 5pm (AET) on Friday 16May 2025.
Applications must include:
- completion of the attached application form; and
- a CV of no more than 4 pages.
The Governance and Nominations Committee will review applications and interview shortlisted candidates before making recommendations to the Board. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified they have not been shortlisted. All applications will be treated confidentially and for shortlisted candidates, permission will be sought before contacting referees.
Child Safeguarding and Code of Conduct
WaterAid is a child safe organisation. We recognise that we must meet community expectations and the trust placed in our personnel to maintain the highest standards of conduct with children. Therefore, all roles within WaterAid are required to comply with our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.
WaterAid is committed to protection from sexual exploitation and abuse in everything we do. The values and standards we uphold are highlighted in our Global Code of Conduct available at www.wateraid.org/uk/publications/global-code-of-conduct. All roles within WaterAid are required to comply with our Global Code of Conduct. Successful candidates will also be asked to undergo police and other integrity checks.
Contact details: For further information, please contact Tom Muller, CEO, WaterAid Australia, on tom.muller@wateraid.org.au
