Independant chair position available

Position Description 

Independent Chair 

Effective Date 

October 2024 

Organisational Context 

Established in 2020, the Industry Genomics Network Alliance (InGeNA) was initially an informal alliance between a broad group of industry organisations, formed to: 

  • Bring a shared perspective on critically important areas underpinning the future of genomics and the promise of personalised health. 
  • Be a single voice for Australian industry partners contributing to the rapidly developing field of genomics.  
  • Provide a shared vision for Australia’s leadership in the adoption of genomics. 

InGeNA Limited was formed in late 2023 to formalise the alliance and take InGeNA to the next level of maturity. InGeNA believes that:  

  • Genomics has the potential to be a game changer for personalised healthcare.  
  • Widespread genomics adoption, including in prediction and prevention, will lead to a better quality of life for all Australians and a more sustainable health system.  
  • Every Australian should have access to the emerging benefits of personalised and precision health and wellbeing. 

InGeNA Purpose statement:  

Making personalised healthcare accessible to all Australians by harnessing the collective skills and expertise of industry to accelerate the adoption of genomics.  

To deliver on our purpose InGeNA recognises that industry is just one player within the wider health and wellbeing system. We are committed to working collaboratively with government, consumers, healthcare providers, academia and other groups and will focus our efforts on three strategic levers to deliver the outcomes we want to see. 

  • Influence: Advocate for policy changes to drive genomics adoption and access. 
  • Delivery: Contribute to the advancement of personalised healthcare through the promotion of genomics. 
  • Innovation: Facilitate industry’s role in helping create the healthcare system of tomorrow. 

Position Purpose  

The Independent Chair is accountable to the board for the performance of their role and representing the board in its accountability to Members including at, and between, member meetings, and providing leadership to, and working with, the CEO in representing the public face of InGeNA to its partners, broader stakeholders and the community. 

The Chair is responsible for: 

  • Leadership of the board, including facilitating the effective functioning of the board, efficient and timely information flow and meeting frequency to ensure that the board is appropriately informed of the operational and financial performance, opportunities and challenges of InGeNA, compliance and of any developments that may have a material impact on it. 
  • Providing strategic and governance leadership to the CEO and board to support growing and sustaining InGeNA’s membership and profile; identifying, planning and managing deliverables. 
  • Engaging with key stakeholders to ensure that InGeNA’s reputation and impact continues to grow.  
  • Seeking to ensure that communications with stakeholders, regulators and the public are timely, accurate and relevant. 
  • Managing the performance the board including 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 management. 
  • Liaising with and counselling, as appropriate, board members.  
  • Accountabilities and other duties as defined in the InGeNA constitution or as agreed by the Board. 

Key Contacts  

External  

  • Stakeholders from relevant peak bodies, partner organisations and state/federal government.  

Internal  

  • InGeNA Board Directors and Board Committee Members. 
  • InGeNA Members. 
  • Outsourced providers where relevant for board activities. 

Appointment 

The Independent Chair is appointed by the InGeNA Limited Board in accordance with the InGeNA Constitution.  

Role Criteria

Mandatory: 

  • Eligible to be a director in accordance with Australian regulatory requirements including Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ASIC and ACNC requirements. 
  • Independent, with no current employment arrangement with any current or potential Member organisations. This is does not preclude candidates with previous employment arrangements with Member organisations where there is no ongoing actual, potential or perceived conflict. 

Essential: 

  • Demonstrated Board experience, preferably in a member organisation. 
  • Demonstrated corporate governance experience and knowledge, including financial skills and experience. 
  • Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) membership. 
  • Deep understanding of the whole Australian health system and where genomics does and could impact, along with the challenges and potential barriers to adoption. 
  • Strong advocacy and government relations experience. 
  • Excellent verbal and written skills, with both strong attention to detail and the ability to convey information and advice succinctly.  
  • Strong interpersonal, influencing and communication skills and the ability to build collaborative relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including Government, partners Members and potential members. 

Desirable: 

  • Experience in working with government, Federal and State, and providing guidance on policy settings.  
  • Tertiary qualifications and management experience in health, medical science and/or biology or related fields. 
  • Experience in the commercialisation of health products or technology nationally and/or globally. 
  • Previous experience in working for or leading not-for-profit organisations.  
  • Knowledge of and experience of alternate revenue sourcing and capital raising.