Board Vacancy - DCLS

Darwin Community Legal Service (DCLS) is seeking two new Directors to join their Board.

DCLS provides free and confidential legal advice, advocacy and support. Their work includes civil legal assistance, tenancy advice, disability and aged care advocacy, support for older people experiencing abuse, NDIS appeals and community legal & advocacy education. They also advocate for fairer laws, policies and services.

About the role

The DCLS Board provides governance and strategic oversight of the organisation. Directors work collectively to oversee DCLS’s strategy, performance, finances, risks and compliance. The Board also appoints, supports and monitors the CEO.

Successful candidates will initially be appointed to fill casual vacancies until the DCLS Annual General Meeting in November 2026. They may then nominate for election by DCLS members for a two-year term.

These are voluntary positions. Reasonable expenses incurred while undertaking approved Board duties may be reimbursed in line with DCLS policies.

DCLS are looking for candidates who can contribute experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Governance or not-for-profit leadership

• Finance, audit or risk

• Disability, including lived, caring or professional experience

• Aged care, including lived, caring or professional experience

• Law, government or public policy

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community knowledge

• Strategic planning, technology, cyber security or data governance

• Community services, human rights or social justice

Previous Board experience is welcome but not essential. They are looking for people with sound judgement, integrity and a commitment to DCLS’s purpose.

DCLS values a Board with diverse backgrounds, skills and perspectives. Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, carers and people with connections to communities across the Northern Territory are strongly encouraged to apply..

Meetings and time commitment

The Board meets every two months, generally on the third Monday from 5.00pm to 7.00pm. Meetings are held in person in Darwin, with Microsoft Teams available when needed. Directors must also allow time to read Board papers, consider occasional out-of-session matters and participate in a Board committee or planning session.

How to apply

Please email your covering letter and current resume to ceo@dcls.org.au.

The Board Director Position Description is available on the DCLS website under Join Us, then Employment: www.dcls.org.au/join-us/employment.

Applications close 5.00pm Friday, 14 August 2026.

For a confidential discussion, contact Rachael Bowker, CEO, at ceo@dcls.org.au or (08) 8982 1111.