Job Title: Director (Legal)
Location: Australia (flexible, remote and face to face meetings)
Reports to: Board of Directors
Term: Initial two-year appointment, with potential for renewal

About ATSA

Assistive Technology Suppliers Australia (ATSA) is the leading not-for-profit industry body supporting businesses that provide assistive technology solutions across Australia. Established in 2000, ATSA is dedicated to enhancing accessibility and quality of life for individuals with disabilities by promoting equitable access to assistive technology within Australia. As a registered charity, ATSA’s work focuses on advancing health, social, and public welfare ensuring people with disability and older people live fully inclusive lives through the provision of appropriate AT for their individual needs.

By 2030, we envision a world where all Australians have access to the assistive technology necessary for full societal participation.

Values

ATSA is guided by values of equity, integrity, independence, and excellence. The Legal Director is expected to embody these values, ensuring ATSA’s compliance, ethical standards, and commitment to equitable access for Australians in need of assistive technology.

Benefits

• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the assistive technology sector in Australia.
• Collaborate with a purpose driven team dedicated to social impact and improving the lives of those who use assistive technology.
• Flexibility to work remotely and contribute to ATSA’s mission within a dynamic, supportive environment.
• Reimbursement: Any personal expenses incurred for travel or related duties in fulfilling the role will be reimbursed.

Position Overview

ATSA is seeking a Director with legal expertise to join our Board and provide strategic guidance on legal and regulatory matters. This is a volunteer, unpaid position with an initial two-year appointment, where the Legal Director will use their knowledge and experience to support ATSA’s purpose, particularly in areas of compliance, risk management and advocacy. The Legal Director will play a vital role in providing guidance on regulatory changes affecting the assistive technology industry and ensuring ATSA operates within all relevant legal frameworks while advancing its 2024-2027 strategic goals, and advising when formal legal advice should be sought.

Key Responsibilities

• Legal Guidance and Compliance: Provide guidance on compliance issues, ensuring ATSA’s activities adhere to relevant laws and regulations, including those related to not-for-profit governance, charity status, and assistive technology industry standards within Australia.
• Risk Management: Identify potential legal and regulatory risks, advising the Board on risk mitigation strategies to safeguard ATSA’s interests and maintain its reputation as an ethical, trusted industry body.
• Advocacy and Policy Leadership: Support ATSA’s advocacy efforts by offering insights on legislative and regulatory developments impacting the assistive technology sector in Australia.
• Governance Support: Ensure that ATSA’s governance practices align with best practices in not-for-profit and corporate governance, supporting the organisation’s values of equity, integrity, independence, and excellence.
• Member Engagement and Trust Building: Promote ATSA’s Code of Practice as an ethical standard in the sector. Assist in addressing legal and regulatory questions from members, enhancing ATSA’s role as a trusted resource and advocate for member businesses.
• Strategic Legal Planning: Contribute to the development of ATSA’s strategic plan with a focus on legal and regulatory frameworks that affect ATSA’s operations, events (such as the ATSA Independent Living Expo), and educational initiatives within Australia.

Meeting Commitment

The ATSA Board meets every two months, with a mix of remote and in-person meetings:

• Three to four remote meetings via Zoom, each lasting approximately 1.5 hours.
• Three in-person full-day meetings held at various locations – currently usually Sydney, to address more in-depth strategic planning and governance matters.

Qualifications and Skills

• Legal Qualifications: Law degree with current or prior admission to practice law in Australia.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in legal practice, with expertise in areas such as corporate law, not-for-profit governance, regulatory compliance, or advocacy. Experience in the healthcare, assistive technology, or disability sectors is advantageous.
• Sector Understanding: Exposure to the disability sector or lived experience within the disability community is highly valued, providing valuable perspective and insight into ATSA’s mission.
• Strategic Vision: Ability to contribute to ATSA’s strategic plan, especially in areas related to legal and regulatory frameworks, policy leadership, and risk management.
• Advocacy Expertise: Strong understanding of legislative processes and experience in advocacy or policy development, ideally with government or regulatory bodies within Australia.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into actionable insights for the Board and ATSA’s stakeholders.
• Collaborative Approach: A team-oriented professional who can work collaboratively with other Directors and ATSA members to advance the organisation’s purpose and strategic goals.
• Ethical Leadership: Strong alignment with ATSA’s values of equity, integrity, independence, and excellence, and commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Important Information

Note: This is an appointed, volunteer position with no financial compensation except expense reimbursement, for an initial two-year term. The Legal Director role is part of a committed Board that supports ATSA’s objectives and activities as a registered not-for-profit organisation and charity within Australia.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV to serena.ovens@atsa.org.au, outlining their legal and board experience, alignment with ATSA’s vision and any relevant experience or connection to the aged or disability community.

Further information can be sought by contacting:

Serena Ovens, ATSA CEO on 0411 327 877