Who are we looking for?

 A decisive leader with strong understanding or lived experience of displacement and forced migration.

A person with insight into the changing operating, ethical and policy context for international NGO’s, particularly localisation and the shifting donor landscape.

A leader with the ability to drive transformational change through collaboration with the Board and staff, as well as international civil society coalitions, refugee advocates, and Australian partners.

A person with an ethical commitment to work towards the transfer of power to those most affected by displacement and forced migration.

A person with an imaginative business mindset, with the capacity to envision and deliver new modes of operation and collaboration that build on Act for Peace’s strengths and the latent talent and expertise of people affected by displacement.

Commitment to the underlying values and principles of Act for Peace and the National Council of Churches of Australia, with a vision to promote deeper direct engagement from churches and constituents in solidarity and concern.

Context

 Act for Peace has embarked on an ambitious, Board-initiated process to envision a new mode of operation that equips the organisation to both fulfil our vision and purpose and sets a foundation for ongoing financial sustainability. A change process is already well underway to restore the budget to balance for FY25 and protect the organisation’s significant reserves. An interim CEO is in place to support this process until March 2024. The Board has an “open mind” to future new ways of working and modes of operation and aims to have implemented fundamental changes in the operating context by December 2025.

Key Objectives to December 2025

 Provide a visionary, purpose-driven and creative voice to the consultation process with the Board, staff and stakeholders as together we envision a new future (March – Dec 24).

1. Provide sound advice to the Board on the changing policy and operating context, and emerging financial and operational risks.
2. Provide leadership and support to staff throughout the process, including fostering the collaborative, collegial team culture and re-positioning the CEO role into the new model.
3. Work closely with the Chief of Operations to manage the ongoing operations of AfP that meets the interests and obligations of the organisation, supporters, institutional donors, and partner organisations.
4. Support the transition of the organisation to a new business model as approved by the Board (Jan- Dec 25).

 Safeguarding Requirements and Responsibilities

 Act for Peace takes the prevention of fraud, sexual misconduct and harassment, and the protection of children seriously.

• Employment is conditional upon the outcome of an Australian Police Background check, as well as an equivalent police background check for any country in which the applicant has lived for more than 12 months during the last five years and for each country of citizenship.   A Working with Children Check is also required.
• Strict adherence to our Code of Conduct, Child Safeguarding Policy, Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) Policy and the Privacy Policy is mandatory.

Selection Process

Act for Peace is calling for Expressions of Interest in this role by 13th November 2023.

We recognise that people affected by displacement and forced migration may have experienced significant disruption to their education and work life. We welcome applications from people who can articulate a clarity of purpose around the Act for Peace vision, can demonstrate the ability to lead transformational change, and can represent the organisation’s values with conviction.

Expressions of Interest should include either a cover letter or short recorded video outlining why you are a strong candidate, along with a CV of relevant experience for the role.

Please send your Expressions of Interest to Margot Gallagher at [email protected]

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a preliminary discussion prior to a formal interview process with the Board recruitment panel.