Job description
Are you a values-driven leader ready to grow the national movement of justice reinvestment and help drive transformational change for First Nations communities? Are you passionate about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination and community-led change?
Join Justice Reinvestment Network Australia (JRNA) as a Co-Executive Director and help lead the national community-controlled peak body for justice reinvestment focused on returning power and resources to First Nations communities to lead their own holistic justice solutions.
This is a unique opportunity to share CEO-level leadership in a collaborative model, working alongside communities, government and sector partners to drive systemic reform and generational change.
ABOUT YOUR ORGANISATION
Justice Reinvestment Network Australia (JRNA) is the Aboriginal community-controlled national peak body for justice reinvestment, with a 100% First Nations Board and membership drawn from grassroots communities leading justice reinvestment.
JRNA’s vision is for self-determining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with the resources, power, and decision-making at the grassroots level, led by the grassroots people, to create healing, restoration, well-being, and collective strength, as true justice our way.
Through collaboration, innovation and inclusion, JRNA aims to create accountability, healing and transformation, leading to safer, healthier and vibrant communities for all.
JRNA was formed with community control because we know what has always been known by our communities: community voice, self-determination and community responsibility are at the heart of leading and solving justice challenges. The collective power in our communities across the country working together, building connections and sharing knowledge is our way, as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and the pathway to a better future.
JRNA recognises that we must hold governments, the mainstream and ourselves accountable, in keeping with what is true justice reinvestment. To do this, we seek to work in strong partnerships, which respect and centre our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing. In reclaiming and centring our way, we will together achieve better outcomes for our communities.
You can read more about JRNA on our website: https://justicereinvestment.net.au/
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Co-Executive Director is jointly responsible for the strategic, operational and cultural leadership of JRNA. This role shares CEO-level accountability and authority, working in partnership with the Board and the Co-Executive to lead the organisation in achieving its vision, strategy and impact. The Co-Executive Director will operate under a new shared leadership model, with both Co- Executive positions holding joint accountability for organisational performance, sustainability and outcomes.
While core roles and responsibilities are shared, the specific portfolio responsibilities of each Co-Executive will be determined based on each individual’s strengths, skills and experience, and will be finalised following recruitment. The role requires a highly collaborative leadership approach, strong alignment with JRNA’s values, and a commitment to shared decision-making, accountability and community-led practice.
Key responsibilities and roles include:
Strategic leadership
* Co-lead the development, implementation and monitoring of JRNA’s strategic and operational plans, and ensure alignment of organisational activities with the principles of justice reinvestment, community priorities and JRNA’s strategic objectives.
Co-leadership
* Work in genuine partnership with the Co-Executive, sharing decision-making, accountability and leadership responsibilities.
* Hold joint accountability for organisational performance, outcomes, compliance and financial sustainability, exercising delegated authority from the Board in line with approved delegations.
* Maintain clear and agreed delineation of responsibilities, and effective mechanisms for joint decision-making and dispute resolution.
Shared leadership and Board engagement
* Support and maintain strong relationships and engagement with the Board, including providing high quality reporting, expert advice and governance compliance.
Change management
* Co-Lead and support organisational growth, including managing potential restructuring, scaling of the organisation, and change management processes with staff.
Financial management and sustainability
* Oversee organisational financial management including budgeting, forecasting and reporting.
* Ensure appropriate financial delegation, controls and accountability mechanisms are in place.
* Ensure financial sustainability and accountability, including meeting all reporting, audit and funding compliance obligations.
* Co-Lead development and implementation of a funding and donor strategy that considers long-term sustainability, grant acquisition, partnerships and diversification of revenue.
People and culture
* Provide high-level organisational leadership to staff, fostering a supportive, inclusive, connected and high-performing organisational culture.
* Support staff development, performance and wellbeing.
* Ensure clarity of roles, responsibilities and accountability across the organisation.
* Promote and embed culturally safe, trauma-informed community-controlled practices, including principles of First Nations data sovereignty and self-determination.
Operational and risk management
* Ensure effective organisational systems, processes and governance frameworks.
* Oversee risk management, compliance and organisational integrity.
* Ensure compliance with all funding agreements, regulatory requirements and contractual obligations.
Community and stakeholder partnerships
* Build and maintain strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, leaders and organisations advancing justice reinvestment.
* Co-lead capacity and capability building support with justice reinvestment communities;
* Build and maintain strategic partnerships with other stakeholders including government, peak bodies, other non-for-profit and community-controlled organisations, academic institutions, corporates, and philanthropy organisations to advance justice reinvestment.
* Policy, advocacy, and building the movement of justice reinvestment
* Provide leadership on policy reform, systems change, and advocacy aligned with justice reinvestment.
* Influence government, funders and stakeholders to build support for justice reinvestment and evidence-based, community-controlled holistic justice and healing approaches.
* Contribute to public discourse and thought leadership on justice reinvestment and holistic justice; and work with government, community and sector partners to drive transformational change.
Research and evidence building leadership
* Oversee community-controlled research, evaluation and learning activities to build evidence around justice reinvestment and drive advocacy, policy and systems reform.
ABOUT YOU
JRNA is looking for a passionate and dynamic leader with a strong commitment to respecting and centring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing in all aspects of our work to drive progress in justice reinvestment nationally.
Skills, knowledge and experience sought include:
* Demonstrated senior leadership experience, ideally within the Aboriginal Community-Controlled, advocacy, and justice sectors.
* Strong understanding of justice reinvestment, community-controlled holistic justice responses, and systems reform.
* Proven ability to build trusted and reciprocal relationships with with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people.
* Demonstrated skills in stakeholder engagement, advocacy and strategic partnership development, including the ability to build productive working relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, government, non-government, philanthropic and corporate partners.
* Strong financial and risk management skills, including the ability to oversee budgets and funding arrangements.
* Highly developed communication, leadership and interpersonal skills, with a strong ability to provide management, supervision and support to a team of primarily Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff.
* Demonstrated experience driving complex and evidence-informed systemic, legislative and/or policy reform.
* Ability to work collaboratively in a shared leadership model.
* Proven ability to lead strategic change within a new or rapidly evolving organisation, including a high-level of operational knowledge.
* Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative, sound judgement and decision-making in complex environments, including a strong ability to manage competing priorities.
* Experience working with and reporting to a Board, including governance and accountability requirements.
* Demonstrated commitment to, and understanding of, First Nations self-determination and community-controlled approaches.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
next steps
To submit your application, please click 'Apply Now' by the closing date.
A position description is attached.