Suicide Prevention Australia is seeking expressions of interest from associate members for the position of Independent Lived Experience Director on the Board.
By reason of the retirement of Independent Director and Deputy Chair, Phillip Cornwell, there will be ONE Independent Director vacancy to be filled at the Board meeting on 23 April 2024, for appointment by the Board. It is expected that the successful applicant will chair a new Lived Experience Advisory Committee.
Applicants must have lived experience of suicide and are required to become an Associate member of Suicide Prevention Australia.
Applicants with lived experience of suicide who represent groups particularly exposed to the risk of suicide, such as First Nations people, LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and rural, regional and remote areas are encouraged to apply.
Applicants will be asked in their application form to demonstrate relevant experience which could contribute to the long-term success of Suicide Prevention Australia.
Due to the nature of the work of the Board, applicants must demonstrate high levels of resilience and must have lived experience leadership skills, including, for example:
- Being active in the suicide prevention sector and in communities impacted by heightened risk of suicide.
- Seeking positive change in terms of recognition of the voice of lived experience.
- Having high-level skills and experience in advocating across a broad range of lived experience, including lived experience of suicide and lived experience of factors impacting suicide.
- Being able to think strategically and contribute at the Board level.
- Promoting a range of lived experience perspectives.
- Having the ability to chair Lived Experience Advisory Committee meetings.
Given the position is as an Independent Director, the Board will need to be satisfied of the applicant’s independence from Suicide Prevention Australia’s organisational membership.
Details of current Directors, a copy of our Constitution and details of the expression of interest process can be found on the Our Board page of the website.
As with all Directors, the Independent Lived Experience Director will have a responsibility to fulfil their duties in the long-term interests of Suicide Prevention Australia as a whole.
The Independent Director position is a voluntary, unpaid role. However, travel expenses incurred during the tenure as Director will be reimbursed. The role involves the following time commitment:
- Participating in six Board meetings annually. It is expected that Directors will participate in every meeting and dedicate reading and preparation time leading up to meetings.
- Leading the Lived Experience Advisory Committee meetings as Chair three times a year, with additional sessions as necessary.
- Attending the National Suicide Prevention Conference.
- Being present at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
- Engaging in regular communications and providing strategic advice regarding Lived Experience initiatives. This involves liaising with fellow Board members, Lived Experience Committee members, and Suicide Prevention Australia staff as required, beyond the scheduled meeting days.
The Independent Director role will be appointed for a term of three years with eligibility for re-appointment for a further three-year period (subject to clause 5.1(h)).
Please complete and submit the Expression of Interest form along with your CV by 5.00pm (AEDT) Sunday 17 December 2023. This material will be treated as confidential.
Details of how to submit the form are provided on the application form.
The Lived Experience Panel will consider expressions of interest and recommend a short list to the Governance Committee for interview with a view to making a recommendation to the Board for its final determination of the successful applicant.
The appointment of the Independent Lived Experience Director is expected to be announced in February 2024.
