The Scouts Australia NSW Board of Directors invites suitable candidates to apply for one of three (3) Non-Executive Director roles. To provide an appropriate mix of skills across the Board membership, candidates with the appropriate experience and skills are being sought for the following positions in 2024: Governance/Experienced Chair, Finance and Commerce, Organisational Transformation.

About Us

As part of a worldwide organisation, Scouts NSW engages and inspires young Australians to develop confidence, resilience and leadership.

The mission of Scouting is to contribute to the education of young people, through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Law, to help build a better world where people are self-fulfilling as individuals and play a constructive role in society.

The Candidate

Candidates must be aged 18 years or older and be eligible to apply for a current Working With Children Check. Board Members are required to sign a Director’s letter that recognises their commitment to the values and ideals of Scouting, including the Scout Promise and Law. Directors are also required to abide by the Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics for Adults in Scouting.

Competencies, Duties and Obligations

As a Director you will be expected to:

• Deeply understand your legal duties and responsibilities under the Corporations Act 2001 and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012
• Be accountable for your performance and conduct as a member of the Board
• Actively support the strategic direction and priorities of the Chief Commissioner, Chief Executive and Scouts NSW.

All Directors must possess the Director core competencies and capabilities.

Core Competencies for all Directors:

• Knowledge of a Director’s responsibilities – includes an understanding of the role as well as the legal, ethical, fiduciary and financial responsibilities involved and ability to separate, where necessary, the role of Director and employee
• Strategic expertise – the ability to differentiate between operational and strategic matters, to review the strategy constructively and openly, 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, financial reporting requirements and possess some understanding of corporate finance
• Legal – understanding of how the Board’s responsibility involves overseeing compliance with numerous laws as well as understanding the individual Director’s legal duties and responsibilities
• Risk management – experience in managing areas of major risk to the company
• Industry and company knowledge – experience at the company, in the industry and any other experience relevant to the Board’s composition
• Managing people and achieving change – experience in current management thinking on engagement and strategic vision.

Core Capabilities for all Directors:

• Integrity – fulfilling a Director’s duties and responsibilities, acting ethically, appropriate independence, putting the organisation’s interests before personal interests. An Executive Director needs to be mindful of conflicts of interest and act accordingly
• Collegiality – in most instances, an Executive Director will have detailed knowledge of the company and its issues, and greater access to information. The ability to reasonably share this insight with the Board, and to raise matters for discussion, is an important aspect of this role
• Collaborative yet curious and courageous – a Director must be able to function as an effective team member but must also have the curiosity to ask questions, and the courage to persist in robust discussion with management and fellow Board members where required
• Emotional intelligence – as well as self-awareness and self-management, a Director needs to demonstrate empathy manifested through strong interpersonal skills. A Director must work well in a group, listen well, be tactful and yet be able to communicate a cogent and candid viewpoint
• Commercial judgment and instinct – a Director needs to demonstrate good business instinct and acumen and be able to assimilate and synthesise complex information
• Meaningful engagement – a Director needs to be an active contributor with genuine interest in the company and its business.

The Non-Executive Director Positions

Non-Executive Directors provide important expertise and an independent perspective to Scouts NSW. Nominees must meet both the core competencies and capabilities of all Directors, as well as the specific essential requirements outlined for each skill area identified for each Non-Executive Director role.

Nominations for Non-Executive Directors close at 5pm on Friday, 17 May 2024. Nominations received after this time will not be considered.