Independent Director (Honorary, No Salary)

About the role

A federally owned, not-for-profit technology funding organisation is seeking Independent Directors to join its Board. Appointments are made by the Federal Government on the recommendation of a nominations committee. The role is non-executive, guides strategy and oversees how public research and innovation funds are deployed in the national ICT sector, and does not involve day-to-day management.

Key responsibilities

• Review and guide corporate strategy
• Approve the multi-year business plan, annual budget and operating procedures
• Set risk policy and targets, and monitor performance, major expenditure and investments
• Safeguard integrity of financial reporting, audit and internal controls
• Oversee governance, conflicts of interest and transparent appointments
• Plan succession for senior management and align executive pay with objectives
• Support commercialisation of funded research and oversee stakeholder disclosure
• Serve on Board committees, including Audit
• Advise the Government on the organisation's policy framework

Required profile

• Qualification in telecommunication engineering, ICT, electrical engineering, corporate finance, management, law or economics
• At least seven years of active experience in operations, business, research, academia or advisory work in those fields
• Proven record in strategic planning, corporate governance and organisational leadership
• Eligible to act as a company director and meets the fit-and-proper criteria under state-owned enterprise law
• Currently serves on no more than five state-owned enterprise boards, including this one
• Available to give the time the role requires
• Segment requirements: telecom licensee representative nominated by the industry segment; scientific and academic candidate affiliated with a recognised university in telecom, IT or business management with at least 16 years of education; corporate management executive in a senior role in a multinational or national company with strong international exposure

Terms of appointment

• Three-year term, no more than two consecutive terms on the same board
• Board meetings at least quarterly plus committee work
• Meeting fees and essential travel and lodging only; mandatory director training within six months of appointment
• No profit or asset distribution to directors

Candidates apply by email with an updated CV, a short profile, the segment applied under, current directorships, known interests and confirmation of availability.