Join our board!

Non-Executive Director (voluntary)

About the Tenants' Union

The Tenants’ Union of NSW is a respected, dynamic and strong advocate for all renters in NSW. It provides high quality legal advice, assistance, training and information to tenants, tenant advocates, and community workers. Through litigation, high-quality, accurate and accessible resources, a policy reform agenda and public advocacy media action the Tenants' Union works for housing justice to ensure renters, particularly those in need, have homes that are safe, secure, affordable and sustainable.

The Tenants' Union of NSW is the main resourcing body for Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services (TAASs) and a community legal centre specialising in NSW residential renting tenancies law.

The Tenants' Union is an independent, secular not-for-profit membership-based co-operative under the Co-operatives (Adoption of National Law) Act 2012 (NSW). You can read our Rules (Constitution) here. You can also read our Governance Policy here.

The Tenants' Union works to promote the interests of: Aboriginal tenants; boarders, lodgers and other marginal tenants; private rental tenants; public and community housing tenants; and land lease community residents as well as private sector tenants.

About the Opportunity

The Tenants’ Union is seeking Non-Executive Directors to join the Board as two vacancies will arise at our AGM alongside renominating existing board members. The candidates will display integrity, independence and ethics, and be collaborative, curious and courageous. Emotional intelligence, a passion for social justice and financial acumen are highly valued as is being an active contributor with a strong commitment to the Tenants' Union vision, mission, purpose, and values.

The Tenants' Union Board is a skills-mix board. The selection criteria below set out the areas of expertise we wish to attract.

Role Requirements

• Board meetings are held during business hours, six times per year, often remotely.
• The Board also conducts one full-day face-to-face retreat each year for training and strategic planning.
• Board subcommittees meet quarterly across the year.
• Open to applicants across NSW, although travel to Sydney will be expected a few times a year.
• This is a volunteer (unpaid) position, however training, travel and other agreed expenses, relevant to Board duties, are covered by the Tenants' Union.

Essential Selection Criteria

The Tenants' Union requires Non-Executive Directors who:

• are passionate about social justice and are committed to working for a future where all renters have the home they want..
• have knowledge, skills, personal qualities, and commitment that will add value to the Tenants' Union Board.
• are available to devote sufficient time to the role: this includes, but is not limited to, attending meetings of the Board, actively participating in Board discussions, joining one of the Board sub-committees and actively participating in its work, and other contributions to the work of the Board that may arise from time to time.
• have skills and experience in one or more of the following (essential):
  • Employment law
  • Fundraising/Grants management
  • Financial management
  • Risk management
  • Technology
• The following skills and expertise are strongly desirable and will be well regarded:
  • previous Board experience in the not-for-profit sector
  • lived experience, advocacy, research or professional expertise in tenancy rights
  • research expertise and credentials in a relevant field
  • experience in Marketing, event management and fundraising
  • expertise in Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing.
• A percentage of the membership and Board must be tenants, so being a tenant will be well-regarded. Non-tenants with a commitment to the Tenants' Union mission are welcome to apply but we cannot accept applications from landlords or real estate agents.

We are committed to serving NSW’s diverse renting communities and encourage nominations from applicants with a range of backgrounds. This includes applicants of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.

How to apply

• Applications should include responses to the Selection Criteria and a recent CV.
• As we are a members-based co-operative, all Board members are to be members of the Tenants' Union. Applicants for the Board who are not already members will also need to apply to become a member of the Tenants' Union. Please complete the membership form online or in PDF and enclose it with your application.  
• Applications should be directed to Julia Davis, Tenants' Union Board at recruitment@tenants.org.au and will close on Monday 19th September 2022. For further information please email Julia: juliadavis6@gmail.com  

Selection process

Applications will be considered by the Tenants' Union Nominations Sub-Committee which will make recommendations for formal endorsement by the Board. Those applicants that have been endorsed by the Board will be nominated for election to the Board by the Tenants' Union membership at our next AGM in November 2022. Depending on the number of applicants and other nominations, this may be a contested election. Any Tenants' Union member can be nominated for a Board position at an AGM, however only those members that have applied through this process will have their nominations considered and endorsed by the sitting Board.