The Board of Great Easter Ranges (GER Ltd.) is seeking to appoint a new Treasurer to the currently vacant role. The position of Treasurer is voluntary but is a substantive one that will require commitment of around one day per fortnight and regular interaction with our CEO and Finance Manager. The role is highly rewarding as it provides an opportunity to tangibly influence the success of one of Australia’s largest conservation endeavours, and is a chance to be part of a vibrant global network of connectivity conservation practitioners. 

About Great Eastern Ranges

The Great Eastern Ranges (GER) initiative was established in 2007 as a direct response to reversing the pervasive impacts of habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation by reconnecting our natural world at the vast scale needed. Today, we are an independent not-for-profit that serves as a backbone organisation for connectivity conservation, bringing people together around a shared vision for nature across 3,600km of eastern Australia. We remain committed to supporting efforts to connect, protect and regenerate our landscapes and natural systems and provide dynamic solutions to our climate, biodiversity and wellbeing challenges.

GER takes a collaborative approach, partnering with over 250 environmental non-profits, Landcare and community groups, government agencies, First Nations organisations and research partners. to support and deliver community-led, science-based projects. These complementary activities, delivered across multiple landscapes from Tasmania to Far North Queensland create positive impacts at the local, regional and continental scale. 

Overview of the role of GER Treasurer

The GER Treasurer is appointed to serve on the Board of GER Ltd. The Board consists of up to nine directors who individually and collectively must a wide range of highly developed political, social, financial, scientific, conservation planning and management skills and experience in order to achieve the company’s mission, financial and legal responsibilities.

Board directors have a deep commitment and passion for connectivity conservation as an effective means for ensuring the adaptation and survival of Australia’s richest assemblage of biodiversity and landscapes found in Australia’s Great Eastern Ranges corridor. Each is appointed by members at the GER Annual General Meeting for a maximum of three consecutive three-year terms.

The Treasurer:

1. Maintains high level oversight of the board’s financial governance. The role is voluntary, taking up around one day per fortnight of dedicated time.
2. Works with the Chief Executive Officer and Manager, Finance and Administration to oversee the maintenance of accounts and preparation of financial reports for the Board and Annual General Meeting.
3. Works with GER’s Public Fund Management Committee to ensure that the Board establishes processes that protect and control what happens to the charity’s donations or surpluses so that these are only used for its charitable purposes.
4. Ensures that the Board has processes in place to protect the charity’s finances and assets, including assisting with annual audits and reporting.

Specific skills and experience

1. Proven experience in the role of Treasurer or as an Accountant or Financial Manager in another organisation.
2. Extensive prior experience in sound financial and business management practices at a high level, from within either government or the private sector.
3. Sound knowledge of business systems, industry standard financial management software packages.
4. Proven experience in preparation and management of budgets and tracking of budgets.
5. Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to, connectivity conservation and the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative.