Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Chair of the NDRP Board Nomination Form and Process

Who will be in the NDRP Board?

The NDRP Board will have 11 Director positions.

The Board will consist of:

• the Chair, who must be a person with disability
• Up to 8 Independent Directors, including 3 nominated by Disability Representative Organisations (DROs), and
• Up to 2 Commonwealth, State or Territory Directors.

Four of these 11 positions are filled. This includes two government-appointed directors and two Independent Directors continuing from the NDRP Working Party (for a two year period).

The positions that are available are:

• the Chair as (identified through Australia’s Disability Strategy Advisory Council) and appointed by a Commonwealth Minister, and
• 6 Independent Directors, 3 identified through Disability Representative Organisations and 3 identified by the NDRP Nominations Committee, appointed by the board.

All director appointments are subject to the board representation and nomination requirements.

How long is the term of service?

Up to 3 years. The Board may approve shorter terms of appointment on a case-by-case basis.

Who approves the position?

The Chair and Commonwealth, State and Territory Directors are appointed by the relevant Minister responsible for the Commonwealth Disability portfolio (the Minister).

The Independent Directors are appointed by the board, based on recommendations from the Nominations Committee. Up to 3 Independent Directors will be recommended to the nominations committee by Disability Representative Organisations.

Can a person serve more than one term?

The Chair may serve additional terms. To serve an additional term, they must be renominated and reappointed by the Minister or Board.

Can a director or the Chair resign once appointed?

A director or the Chair can resign from their position. They will be required to notify the secretary that they wish to cease being a member of the board and a member of the company.

What is a director identification number?

A director identification number (director ID) is needed for a person to be a director of a company (including the Chair), registered Australian body, registered foreign company or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation. Go to Director identification number | Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) for further information.

If the nominee does not have a director ID, they will need to apply for it as soon possible after being appointed to the NDRP Board. They can apply for a director ID with the Australian Business Registry Services. Go to Apply for your director ID | Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) for further information.

Where can I find more information on the NDRP Board and its processes?

Refer to the NDRP Constitution located at National Disability Research Partnership | Australia (ndrp.org.au) or searchable at Charity Register | ACNC.

What are the responsibilities of the NDRP Chair of the Board?

In consultation with the CEO/company secretary:

• Setting the agenda for the matters to be considered by the board
  • Ensuring information provided to the board is relevant, accurate, timely and sufficient to keep the board appropriately informed of the performance, finances, affairs, opportunities and challenges of the organisation, and of any developments that may have a material impact on the organisation or its performance
  • Ensuring that communications with stakeholders, regulators and the public are timely, accurate and relevant.
• Ensuring that the Board as a whole has the opportunity to maintain adequate understanding of the organisation’s financial position, strategic performance, operations and affairs generally
• Facilitating open and constructive communications amongst board members and encouraging their contribution to board deliberations
• Overseeing and facilitating board, committee, board member and CEO evaluation reviews and succession planning
• Liaising and interfacing with the CEO as the primary contact between the Board and staff and
• Liaising with and counselling, as appropriate, board members.

What type of person will make a good Chair for the NDRP?

The Chair must be a person with disability, and it would be good to have as many of the following experiences and skills:

• As a senior leader or a chair or board member of a charity or company.
• Leadership experience that includes an understanding of the disability community.
• Experience or understanding of disability research.
• Experience or understanding of government disability policy and programs across all levels of government.
• A well-established network across disability research, disability services, disability advocates, and government.
• Willingness to undertake director training through the Australian Institute of Company Directors, where required.

The Chair must not be employed by a Commonwealth, State or Territory government.

How many hours would the NDRP Chair need to work each week?

• The Chair needs to be able to dedicate enough time to lead the NDRP Board.
• We estimate this will be 5-6 hours per week, but more hours may be needed initially or during busy periods).

How long will the EOI process take?

The process is expected to take around 3 months:

• The EOI will open for applications in April and close four weeks later.
• Candidates will be assessed by the Panel and shortlisted by the ADS Advisory Council.
• The Panel will run interviews with the shortlisted candidates in May.
• The Panel will provide their merit list of up to three candidates to the Advisory Council Secretariat by late May for endorsement by the whole Advisory Council.

I don’t wish to nominate myself but I have someone in mind who I think is best. Can I suggest this person to be the NDRP Chair?

You can send the EOI to a person you think may be suitable, but that person must apply like everyone else.

A person should not be nominated without their consent.

Can members of the Advisory Council apply to be the NDRP Chair?

Yes, the Advisory Council members can apply, but then they cannot be involved in the EOI process or in the decision of whom the Advisory Council will put forward.

Will the NDRP Chair be paid?

Yes, the Chair will be paid for their time. This will be $24,000 per year.

The Remuneration is based on likely 10 or 11 meetings per year plus additional work.