Volunteer Non-Executive Board Director (Finance or NFP Management expert)

Position Type: Volunteer | Start Date: December 2025 or January 2026 | Where: Melbourne

Join the board of Anika Legal, an award-winning not-for-profit legal service that is redefining how free legal assistance and housing support is delivered in Australia.

Founded by Victorian of the Year, Noel Lim, Anika has become one of Australia’s most innovative community legal centres — combining technology, education, and social enterprise to close the justice gap and advance housing justice.

As a Board Director, you’ll play a critical role in guiding Anika’s next stage of growth, helping scale a proven model that doubled the impact of each employed lawyer, delivered free legal assistance to 1300+ renters, and shaped housing policy.

At Anika Legal, we believe everyone deserves a safe and secure home.

Imagine living in a home that made you sick, having to choose between paying rent or eating, or living in constant fear of becoming homeless. That is the reality for most of the 7 million renters in Australia who are denied a safe home.

Anika Legal is a free, non-profit legal service for renters that empowers renters to thrive in safe homes.

Through casework, innovation and systemic advocacy, we support our clients and fight for a fair housing system so that every renter can live in a safe, secure, affordable home that supports their quality of life.

Anika Legal is committed to building a team that is as diverse as the community we serve.

Our team is better with people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences who work together to impactfully create access to justice. We believe in fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace for people of all gender identities, sexual orientations, cultural and linguistic backgrounds and abilities. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people, people who are culturally and linguistically diverse, people who are LGBTQIA+, disabled people and people of mature age to apply.

Learn more about how Anika works and the four reasons people want to work at Anika.

As a Board Director, you will contribute to Anika’s governance, strategy, and impact — ensuring the organisation continues to deliver high-quality legal services while leading systemic change in the access-to-justice and housing sectors.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Attend approximately 8 board meetings per year, ~5 of which will be held in person. If you are not based in Melbourne you must be willing to travel there for board meetings and key events approximately 6 times per year.
  
• Stewarding Anika’s strategic direction by setting long-term goals, guiding innovation, and supporting the CEO and executive team to deliver measurable impact.
  
• Overseeing organisational performance and governance, including outcomes for renters, partnerships, sector influence, and organisational risk management.
  
• Strengthening Anika’s role as a sector leader by shaping strategic initiatives, advocacy priorities, and collaborations that advance systemic reform in housing and justice.
  
• Ensuring strong financial management through regular review of financial reports and approval of significant decisions.
  
• Supporting and mentoring the CEO on strategic, financial, and operational matters.
  
• Acting as an ambassador for Anika, promoting its mission, strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, and leveraging your networks to amplify our impact.

1. Finance and Governance (Treasurer role)

A skilled professional with:

• Significant financial management experience within the not-for-profit sector – this is essential.
• Experience in board-level governance and/or treasurer responsibilities.
• Financial expertise from the for-profit sector is advantageous and will strengthen the board’s overall capability.

This role will provide financial stewardship, ensure rigorous oversight of Anika’s resources, and guide sustainable growth.

2. Not-for-Profit Management

A values-driven leader with:

• Proven experience as a CEO, executive leader, or board director within a not-for-profit organisation.
• A strong understanding of governance, organisational sustainability, and people-centred leadership.

You will help shape strategy, mentor the executive team, and contribute to building a resilient, innovative organisation.

3. Sector Leadership and Systems Change (highly regarded)

We are particularly interested in candidates who bring:

• Expertise in strategic sector leadership, systems change, or innovation across the legal, technology, or social impact sectors.
• Insight into how collaboration, design thinking, or digital tools can transform access to justice at a systems level.

These qualities are highly regarded and will help Anika extend its national impact.

Learn more about Anika's board members here.

Send us your CV and cover letter

To apply for this role, fill out this application form, which will ask you to upload your CV, a cover letter, and answer a few questions about yourself. Do not submit your application by email - these will not be considered.

If you have further queries about the role or are having difficulties completing the application form, contact Noel Lim at [email protected].

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