Chair - Audit, Finance and Risk Committee (AFRC)
Why Join Launch Housing
Launch Housing is an independent Melbourne based community organisation passionately committed to ending homelessness. From providing high quality housing and an innovative range of support, education and employment services, we bring solutions to homelessness under one roof for thousands at risk of, or experiencing the crisis and trauma of homelessness.
With over 400 staff working across 16 locations in metropolitan Melbourne, we combine direct action with advocacy, research and innovation to drive widespread change.Our people are the backbone of our organisation and supporting their wellbeing and professional development is critical to our ability to help our clients and the community.
We value lived experience and diversity in our staff, and provide high-quality training & supervision, wellbeing days, access to an Employee Assistance Program and much much more to ensure your career with us is fulfilling.
Don't just walk past homelessness. Join the solution.
Role Overview
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Committee in an orderly, effective and independent manner, ensuring it functions in accordance with its Terms of Reference and delegated authority.
- Promote a culture of integrity, transparency, informed challenge and sound decisionmaking.
- Ensure the Committee maintains an annual work plan that aligns with Board priorities, regulatory obligations and recognised principles of good governance.
- Ensure the Committee has appropriate skills, information and access to advice to enable it to fulfil its responsibilities.
Financial Oversight and Reporting
- Oversee the Committee's review of financial planning, budgeting and financial performance, ensuring the integrity and clarity of financial information provided to the Board.
- Lead scrutiny of financial reporting processes to ensure they are accurate, timely and support informed Board decisionmaking.
- Ensure the Committee provides appropriate oversight of financial policies, investment performance and delegations.
Audit Oversight and Integrity
- Lead the Committee's oversight of the appointment, reappointment or removal of the external auditor, supporting auditor independence and objectivity.
- Oversee review of the external audit scope, approach and materiality to ensure appropriate assurance over financial and risk matters.
- Ensure significant audit findings, control weaknesses and recommendations are considered by the Committee and addressed by management in a timely manner.
- Facilitate meetings with the external auditor without management present, where appropriate, to support open communication and independence.
Risk Management and Internal Control
- Lead the Committee's oversight of the Risk Management Framework and strategic risk register, ensuring these are reviewed at least annually and remain fit for purpose.
- Ensure the Board receives appropriate assurance regarding the effectiveness of internal controls, particularly in relation to material financial, operational and compliance risks.
- Oversee internal audit arrangements and ensure internal and external assurance activities are coordinated and proportionate to risk.
- Ensure appropriate oversight of insurance arrangements and risk mitigation strategies.
Compliance and Regulatory Oversight
- Ensure the Committee oversees management's systems and processes for compliance with applicable laws, regulations and standards.
- Guide Committee consideration of regulatory findings, reportable incidents, breaches or control failures, and management's responses.
- Support the Board in meeting ACNC Governance Standards relating to accountability, transparency and responsible financial management.
Board Reporting and Relationships
- Report clearly and accurately to the Board on Committee deliberations, key risks, emerging issues and recommendations.
- Work closely with the Company Secretary and CEO to ensure agendas, papers and minutes support effective governance oversight.
- Maintain appropriate and professional relationships with management (including the Chief Commercial Officer) and external advisors while preserving the independence of the Committee.
Remuneration and Appointment
This is an unpaid governance role.
Reasonable, preapproved expenses may be reimbursed in accordance with organisational policy.
The Chair is a Director of Launch Housing Ltd.
The Board appoints the Chair from among the Board Director members of the AFRC.
Time Committments
- Attendance at Board meetings [8 per year]
- In addition, a minimum of four Committee meetings per year, with additional meetings as required.
- Adequate preparation for meetings and engagement with management, auditors and advisors as necessary.
Safety Screening Requirements
Launch Housing has mandatory requirements to undertake thorough safety screening of all staff, including volunteers. Checks are conducted in strict confidence and in accordance with the Launch Housing Privacy Policy and Safety Screening Procedure. Prior to commencing any role, a candidate must:
- Provide two appropriate referees for staff to complete satisfactory reference checks.
- Hold a current Volunteer Working with Children Check - this can be obtained during recruitment at Launch Housing's cost.
- Have a satisfactory Volunteer Police History Check obtained during recruitment at Launch Housing's cost*.
- Provide certified evidence of qualifications related to the role (if applicable).
*An applicant is not automatically precluded from appointment on the basis of having a disclosable outcome. In the event a disclosable outcome appears on a volunteer police check, a member of the People Experience Team will discuss this with the applicant.
Skills, Experience and Attributes
Seniorlevel experience in finance, audit, risk, governance or a related discipline.
Strong understanding of financial reporting, audit processes, risk management frameworks and internal control systems.
Demonstrated experience chairing boards or committees and facilitating effective governance discussions.
Sound judgement, independence of thought and the ability to constructively challenge management.
Commitment to ethical conduct, accountability and the principles of good governance.
for any questions about the role - please contact us at [email protected].
Launch Housing offers a wide range of career opportunities and employs a diverse range of talent. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons to apply! We acknowledge, respect and celebrate Aboriginal cultures, languages, connections to Country and heritage, customs and practices. We're committed to support Aboriginal peoples to obtain genuine and fulfilling career with us!
Launch Housing is a dog-friendly organisation, which allows dog owners to bring them in some of our sites, please contact the relevant Hiring Manager if you have any questions or concerns prior to your interview.
If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know at [email protected].
Launch Housing is committed to being a child safe organisation and has zero tolerance to child abuse. Our hiring process involves rigorous screening of applicants. All of our people including students, contractors and volunteers must hold a valid Working with Children Check and satisfactory criminal history record check.
Launch Housing is an Equal Opportunity employer and supports accessible working arrangements for all. This includes people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse people, young people, older people, women, and people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex or queer. We acknowledge Lived Experience as a unique expertise and encourage people with a Lived Experience of Homelessness to apply. All applicants must have the right to work in Australia.
