Job Description

About the Organisation

The Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (DYHS) was established in 1974 and is the largest Aboriginal community-controlled health service provider in Western Australia, providing care to over 20,000 Aboriginal patients across four clinics in East Perth, Mirrabooka, Maddington and Midland. Our staff enable the delivery of culturally responsive primary health services, focusing on prevention, early intervention, comprehensive care and care coordination including chronic disease management.

About the Position

The Company Secretary is the Board’s principal governance adviser, ensuring DYHS meets its legal, regulatory and ethical obligations while supporting culturally secure decision-making that advances the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal community. The role provides independent, professional guidance to the Board and its committees, facilitates the flow of timely and accurate information, and promotes leading practice governance consistent with the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act), Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the ACNC Act 2012, relevant Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander legislation, the DYHS Constitution and Board Charter. This is a Permanent Full-time / Part-time role with flexibility on the FTE.

Key Responsibilities

Board Governance & Compliance:

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of statutory and regulatory requirements; ensure lodgements with ORIC, ACNC and WA regulators are accurate and on time.
• Monitor changes to legislation and advise the Board of implications.
• Oversee the DYHS Constitution, Board Charter, committee terms of reference and governance policies, recommending amendments as required.
• Ensure compliance with the CATSI Act, including maintaining accurate registers (e.g. membership, conflicts of interest), timely reporting of secretarial appointments, and assisting Directors in fulfilling obligations under the Rule Book.

Board & Committee Administration:

• In consultation with the Chair, set annual Board and committee calendars aligned to organisational priorities and cultural events.
• Prepare agendas in collaboration with the CEO and Chair; coordinate accurate, concise and culturally respectful papers.
• Attend all Board and committee meetings; record high-quality minutes reflecting robust discussion and clear resolutions.
• Track and report on action items, ensuring accountability and timely closure.

Advisory Support:

• Provide independent advice to Directors on fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest, director induction, and continuous professional development.
• Support the Chair in evaluating Board performance, succession and skills matrices, with a focus on Aboriginal leadership pathways.

Risk, Assurance & Integrity:

• Maintain risk registers, compliance calendars and assurance plans.
• Coordinate external audit processes and facilitate regulator or insurer information requests.
• Champion an organisational culture of integrity, confidentiality and respectful conduct.

Stakeholder & Cultural Engagement:

• Foster respectful relationships with our Elders, community and partner organisations, ensuring governance processes honour cultural protocols.
• Liaise with funding bodies, legal advisers and insurers on governance matters.
• Represent DYHS at governance forums (AICD, Governance Institute, ORIC, ACNC).

Continuous Improvement:

• Benchmark DYHS governance against sector best practice; propose initiatives to strengthen transparency and effectiveness.
• Lead post-meeting reviews and lessons-learned exercises.

Selection Criteria

1. Qualifications:

• Must be appropriately qualified, including experience in a similar role, corporate secretarial qualifications, and demonstrated understanding of the Corporation’s Rule Book and the CATSI Act.
• Sound knowledge of the CATSI Act and experience applying its governance and compliance provisions in an Aboriginal-controlled entity.

2. Experience and Abilities:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience as a Company Secretary or senior governance professional in a complex, mission-driven organisation.
• Demonstrated understanding of Aboriginal community-controlled health services, cultural safety and the socio-political landscape affecting Aboriginal peoples in WA.
• Proven track record advising Boards on Corporations Act/ACNC compliance, risk management and strategic governance.

3. Skills and Attributes:

• Exceptional written communication and minute-taking accuracy.
• High emotional intelligence, diplomacy and cultural humility.
• Ability to synthesise complex information, anticipate risk and propose practical solutions.
• Unquestionable integrity and commitment to confidentiality.
• Organised, self-directed and able to meet tight deadlines.

4. Other Requirements:

• Flexibility to attend after-hours Board and committee meetings.
• National Police Clearance.
• Willingness to travel to clinics and community forums.
• Must be at least 18 years of age and provide written consent to be appointed as Secretary, as required under the CATSI Act and the DYHS Rule Book.
• Works independently of Management to uphold governance standards and act in the interests of the Board.

If applicants approach and/or seek to lobby DYHS Board Members, they will be disqualified from being eligible to apply for roles at DYHS.

Desirable

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

A copy of the Position Description can be obtained by contacting People Services Team by emailing to work@dyhs.org.au

How to Apply:

Please apply through SEEK, applications must include:

Current Resume including current contact details and Cover letter addressing the selection criteria (2 pages maximum) outlining your suitability for the role.

Please note that if the add is up, the role is still open, and we welcome your interest. The advertisement will be removed when we are no longer accepting applications.

Due to the high number of applications, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service Aboriginal Corporation is an equal opportunity institution, providing educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, colour, gender, age, or disability.

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service reserves the right to contact the current or most recent employer and evaluate past employment records of applicants selected for interview.

The organisation reserves the right to re-advertise the position or to delay final selection if it is deemed that applicants for the position do not constitute an adequate applicant pool.

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service Aboriginal Corporation is committed to a smoke free environment across all buildings, grounds and vehicles.