About the organisation

The Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education has, for the last 26 years,  challenged popular beliefs and dominant cultural values, asked the difficult questions, and looked at life from the standpoint of the minority, the victim, the outcast and the stranger. As a community of many faith backgrounds and none, our work is built on Catholic Social Teaching principles and Gospel values as we strive for a world in which:

• The needs of the poor take priority over the wants of the rich;
• The freedom of the dominated takes priority over the liberty of the powerful; and;
• The participation of marginalised groups - and of the marginalised earth itself - takes priority over the preservation of an order which excludes them.

Our primary focuses are:

• First Nations people in Australia and overseas;
• Refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia and internationally;
• Environmental justice with a focus in the Pacific

We are a community made up of a core of the equivalent of six skilled and experienced full time staff, a team of up to twenty passionate volunteers, and a strongly connected network of partners.  The Centre is based in Sydney, with some staff also working out of Brisbane, Darwin and the mid north coast of NSW.  We want to help enable people to change the world through education that begins with awareness-raising and ultimately inspires advocacy and social action. Our work is inspired by the work of Edmund Rice, a 19th Century Irishman who devoted his life and resources to addressing injustice in his own country, and whose work continues today through the international activities of the Christian Brothers and affiliated agencies.

The Centre is a ministry of Edmund Rice Community Services (ERCS) , the corporate body which includes a range of different ministries. The Director is a senior leader within ERCS, and will report to the ERCS CEO. She/he/they will be supported by an active and experienced Advisory Council.

About the role

The Director of the Edmund Rice Centre is responsible for its leadership and management. She/he/they will:

• Demonstrate and nurture a powerful commitment to the values of the Centre (grounded in Catholic Social Justice principles) and its work among staff, volunteers and partners
• Maintain a strong public profile and an influential voice for the Centre as it addresses matters in its priority agenda
• Build and maintain networks in national and international circles
• Build capacity in, and support, staff and volunteer members of the community
• Ensure the ongoing viability of the Centre as it builds on existing resources and moves towards financial self-sustainability
• Ensure the effective and efficient management of the Centre
• Be an active contributor to the evolution of Edmund Rice Community Services as a senior member of the organisation.

The position will be based in the Centre’s new offices in Balmain (Sydney). As an organisation with national and international areas of endeavour, there will be a requirement for travel.

This appointment will commence in January 2023, and will be a five year full time contract subject to yearly reviews and with the opportunity for renewal. The salary package will be in the range of $ 150,000 -$175,000 inclusive of super, salary packaging & car/car allowance.

How to apply

To obtain a detailed position description please email the Advisory Council Chair, Michael Bezzina at [email protected].  More detail about the Centre and its activities can be found at  https://www.erc.org.au. For a confidential conversation about the role, contact Michael Bezzina on 0417266934.

The application should consist of a covering letter indicating your motivation for applying and how you meet position requirements as well as an up to date resume.   Applications close on August 26th and should be marked confidential and sent by email to [email protected].

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Role: Director: Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education

Reports to: CEO Edmund Rice Community Services

Contract: 5 years renewable

Salary range $150,000-$175,000

Commencement: January 2023

Location: Sydney

Position requirements

Personal attributes:

The successful applicant will be a person: 

• Of courage, humility, integrity and authenticity
• With an understanding of, and commitment to, Catholic Social Teaching principles and Gospel values
• Who has demonstrated a commitment to working passionately for change with the first, the last and the least
• Who builds strong and caring community around core values of compassion and respect
• Who is relationship-driven and leads collaboratively and by example
• Of insight, with a strong strategic sense while still being responsive to emergent issues
• Who can communicate powerfully both orally and in writing
• Who is familiar with current issues in areas of the Centre’s focus, both nationally and internationally.

 Experience

 The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate successful experience in:

 Advocacy, action and/or education in the  fields of human rights, justice and/or community development.

• Engaging in genuine partnerships with marginalised groups such as First Nations people in Australia and overseas, refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia and internationally, and/or Pacific peoples affected by climate change
• Building networks of influence with politicians and other decision-makers in addressing issues of justice or community development
• Engaging with media
• Attracting and engaging skilled and committed staff and volunteers.
• Leading teams or organisations with responsibility for staff, budget, facilities and organisational culture
• Developing, leading and implementing sustainable fundraising strategy/ies.

 Desirable attributes

• An existing professional network within field/s related to the Centre’s work.
• Direct lived experience of the Edmund Rice Centre’s focus (First Nations justice, refugee justice, climate justice)
• Experience working in a faith-based organisation.