Chair of Finance and Audit Committee
University of Western Australia
Australia

ICRAR Independent Member – Directorship Opportunity Listing (Australian Institute of Company Directors website)

Opportunity expiry date: 6 April 2023

Opportunity name: Independent Member of the Governing Board and Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee, International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research

Remuneration: Independent Board positions are remunerated at $10,000 per annum, with an additional $5,000 per annum allowance for Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee.

Full description:

About ICRAR

The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) was founded in September 2009 with the specific purpose of supporting Australia’s bid to host the world’s largest radio telescope and one of the largest scientific endeavours in history, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). Since its inception, ICRAR has become one of the world’s leading Astronomy research centres.

ICRAR is a joint venture between Curtin University (Curtin) and The University of Western Australia (UWA), with funding support from the State Government of Western Australia. ICRAR has research nodes at both universities, with collaborations among the various programs lead from each node, other research organisations and industry in Australia and internationally.

More information on ICRAR is available at https://www.icrar.org/about/

About the role

ICRAR is seeking an Independent Member for the Governing Board, who will also be appointed Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee. Expertise relevant to this role includes provision of strategic advice and strong experience and qualifications in accounting and/or financial management. A CA / CPA would be highly regarded. Location in or near Perth would be preferred as meetings are preferred face to face.

Appointment

The ICRAR Joint Venture Agreement between Curtin University and The University of Western Australia (UWA) provides for a nine member Board. The Board Members and Chairpersons are appointed for a term of up to three years and can be reappointed for a further term of two years. Independent Members are appointed for their specific expertise relevant to the functions of the Board.

Board appointments are on recommendation of the Board Chair with advice from a nomination committee. Appointments are at the discretion of the Western Australian Minister for Science.

Responsibilities

Board Meetings are held at least quarterly each year or more frequently as required. Finance and Audit Committee Meetings are also held quarterly each year. Board meetings take place in Perth.

The functions of the Board include:

1. to provide overall strategic direction and control of ICRAR, including the formation of policy to be applied in the conduct of the Centre and the overall oversight of the scientific investment;
2. to appoint the Chief Executive Officer and set any applicable key performance indicators;
3. to approve the ICRAR Project Plan and Budget;
4. to approve Activities which are substantially consistent with the ICRAR Project Plan, Budget or Objectives;
5. to consider and, if thought fit, approve technical, progress and financial reports in respect of the Activities and each Research Node including reports submitted by the Chief Executive Officer;
6. to monitor the economic, environmental and social outcomes of ICRAR’s investments in research;
7. to establish a process of peer review of ICRAR’s research performance;
8. to review and monitor the research performance of ICRAR in relation to the Objectives;
9. to review and monitor the financial performance of ICRAR including in respect of actual cash flow and expenditure against budgeted cash flow and expenditure;
10. to approve KPls and monitor performance against KPls;
11. to appoint Committees as required to carry out delegated functions of the Governing Board and to make recommendations to the Governing Board;
12. to report to the State government as required under the Financial Assistance Agreement;
13. to keep under review the progress made in the attainment of the Objectives;
14. to monitor compliance of the Joint Venture Agreement, the Financial Assistance Agreement and the Centre Agent Agreement;
15. to perform such other roles as are needed to pursue the Objectives.

In relation to the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee position, the Terms of Reference for this committee are attached to this advertisement. 

How to apply:

Please apply online via the Apply Now button, and attach a CV, including two professional referees.

For further information about this role, please contact Jacqui Coombes, Acting Chair of the ICRAR Governing Board by email at Jacqui.coombes@amira.global