Australian Psychology Accreditation Council CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Information for Candidates
CONTENTS 2 Message from the Chair 3 The Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) 4 APAC s Mission 5 Board of Directors 6 Organisational structure 7 The position in context 8 Key responsibilities 10 Selection criteria 11 The appointment process and how to apply
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR The Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) was formed in 2005 in order to set national standards for the education of psychologists and to provide accreditation for the programs of study offered by institutions across Australia which meet these standards. In 2014, APAC underwent a significant restructure in which both its membership and Board were expanded. Working in concert with its key stakeholders, the Australian Psychological Society, the Psychology Board of Australia and the Heads of Departments and Schools of Psychology Association, APAC is currently actively developing a set of new standards for the accreditation of institutions and the assessment of offshore qualifications. This is a critical project with a far reaching impact for the profession, for education providers, and for the greater society. We are seeking a dynamic and energetic Chief Executive Officer to manage the operations of APAC, to ensure the successful completion and implementation of these standards, and to support the board in the future development of the organisation. We are facing an exciting and important period in the history of APAC, and we look forward to welcoming you to our dedicated team. John Dunn Chair Chief Executive Officer // The Australian Psychological Accreditation Council 2
THE AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ACCREDITATION COUNCIL (APAC) The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council Limited (APAC) is an independent quality and standards organisation, appointed as an external accreditation entity under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009. APAC is a not-for-profit Company Limited by Guarantee and is governed by an independent board of twelve Directors. APAC accredits more than 420 programs of study across 40 higher education providers including courses in Malaysia and Singapore, and maintains an accreditation archive containing records dating as far back as 1971. APAC has over 30 certified expert assessors on its register who contribute to APAC s program of assessments and advisory work. APAC provides accreditation assessor training as well as advice on quality improvement and other aspects of higher education and training to a range of organisations including governments. APAC has strong links with other national and international accreditation agencies, and with higher education quality networks. APAC was formed in 2005 primarily for the purpose of setting national standards for the education and training of psychologists and to accredit programs of study which meet those standards. In 2008, under arrangements set down in the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council assigned to APAC the accreditation functions for the psychology profession under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for the Health Professions. In May 2014 APAC was re-assigned the accreditation function by the Psychology Board of Australia until June 2018. Chief Executive Officer // The Australian Psychological Accreditation Council 3
APAC S MISSION: APAC s mission is to protect the public by conducting accreditation activities that ensure graduates of accredited programs receive a high quality education and are well equipped to employ their psychological knowledge and skills in the community. This includes, where relevant, being sufficiently qualified and competent to meet the registration requirements of the Psychology Board of Australia. APAC s activities include: Developing standards for the education and training of psychologists for approval by the Psychology Board of Australia Assessing higher education providers and the programs of study they offer to determine whether they meet the approved accreditation standards Monitoring accredited education providers and their Programs of Study to ensure they continue to meet the Approved Accreditation Standards Assessing accrediting and examining authorities in other countries to determine if graduates of the authorities examinations or accredited programs of study have the knowledge, skills and professional attributes necessary to practise the profession in Australia Supporting higher education providers in developing and maintaining high quality programs of education and training in psychology Advising and consulting a range of stakeholders including the Psychology Board of Australia, governments, education providers and professional bodies on matters of education and training relevant to the psychology profession and discipline Chief Executive Officer // The Australian Psychological Accreditation Council 4
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Under APAC s Constitution, nominations for appointment to the APAC Board come from three nominating bodies: four Directors are nominated by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), four Directors are nominated by the Australian Psychological Society (APS), and four Directors are nominated by the Heads of Departments and Schools of Psychology Association (HODSPA). The current APAC Board of Directors are: Professor John Dunn (Chair) Associate Professor Lesley Bretherton Professor Simon Crowe Ms Ann Doolette Adjunct Professor Geoffrey George Associate Professor Caroline Hunt (Deputy Chair) Professor Mary Katsikitis Professor Lyn Littlefield Associate Professor Shirley Morrissey Professor Nancy Pachana Ms Clare Thompson Professor Trevor Waring (Deputy Chair) Chief Executive Officer // The Australian Psychological Accreditation Council 5
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE Supporting the Board of Directors, the APAC administration is made up of a small but dedicated team of professionals. In addition to this team, the work of APAC is supported by a group of dedicated and highly skilled volunteers who provide expertise during the assessment process. APAC Board of Directors Chief Executive Officer (1.0 EFT) Manager Accreditation Services (1.0 EFT) Financial Officer (0.4 EFT) Administrative Assistant (1.0 EFT) Administrative Assistant (1.0 EFT) Chief Executive Officer // The Australian Psychological Accreditation Council 6
THE POSITION IN CONTEXT The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) reports directly to the APAC Board and works with the Board to achieve APAC s objects and to implement the Board s directives, strategies and policies. The CEO supports the Board in fulfilling its governance and compliance functions, acts as the public officer and company secretary of APAC and is responsible for ensuring that the Board s operation is efficient and effective. The CEO is responsible for implementing APAC s services to the highest standard and for providing leadership of APAC s operational functions and staff. The CEO builds and maintains strong and viable working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders and supports the Board in its interactions with these stakeholders. Chief Executive Officer // The Australian Psychological Accreditation Council 7
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Governance and Board Support Ensure that Board agendas, minutes and meeting schedules are prepared in consultation with the Chair and provide timely, accurate and well justified written reports to the Board to support the implementation of APAC s objects and strategic plans, meet its corporate, legislative and financial responsibilities. Ensure the Board s documentation is maintained as confidential and retrievable records and to archival standard. 2. Compliance and Risk Management Ensure APAC has appropriate policies, procedures and documentation in place to meet all legislative, regulatory, financial and tax obligations and the legislative requirements of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009. Ensure effective mechanisms are in place to enable monitoring of APAC s compliance and reporting requirements and to assess and manage risks to APAC. Ensure APAC complies with occupational health and safety legislation and relevant employment legislation. 3. Strategic Planning and Continuous Improvement Provide high level expert policy and planning advice to the Board to assist it with strategic planning, policy development and standards setting in the context of APAC s objects and contractual responsibilities. Implement APAC s strategic and business plans and provide regular progress reports on achievement. Provide recommendations to the Board on policy, procedures and programs to improve the operation of APAC s services. Chief Executive Officer // The Australian Psychological Accreditation Council 8
4. Financial Management Develop budget proposals for annual budgets and any project budgets for the approval of the Board and provide advice on funding arrangements for contemporary accreditation services. Manage APAC s budget and accounts and provide regular financial reports to the Board. 5. Service Provision Ensure the provision of accreditation services to clients are consistently of the highest standards and delivered in a timely, efficient and cost effective manner and are consistent with contemporary best practice in professional accreditation and quality systems. Ensure the provision of a comprehensive and up-to-date information service for clients that includes the provision of agreed policies and aligns with APAC s objects and strategic directions. Ensure the efficient and cost effective use of external assessors to provide APAC s accreditation services and support the assessors with appropriate contracts and timely and accurate information on APAC s objects and services. 6. Staff Management Ensure APAC employs an appropriate quota of competent staff and contractors to deliver the required services and ensure they have appropriate knowledge of human resources management policies and practices. Ensure effective and mutually beneficial supervision and regular performance reviews of staff. Maintain a motivated, dynamic and psychologically healthy workplace culture that is aligned with APAC s objectives. 7. Stakeholder Engagement, Public Relations, and Promotion and Advocacy Build and maintain co-operative and constructive relationships with all stakeholder groups including the Psychology Board of Australia, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (AHPRA), other Accreditation Councils, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, higher education providers, governments, community and carer groups, and professional bodies. Ensure an effective and strategically focused public profile and engagement plan is in place, implemented and monitored. Chief Executive Officer // The Australian Psychological Accreditation Council 9
SELECTION CRITERIA Demonstrated experience in working effectively with a Board and proven understanding of effective corporate governance. Substantial leadership and/or strategic management experience at a senior level with strong financial management competencies. Outstanding written communication skills in a variety of forms and outstanding skills in influencing others and negotiating persuasively while demonstrating respect for other views. Demonstrated ability to think strategically and show good judgement. Demonstrated ability to cultivate productive working relations with external stakeholders and to effectively manage a small team. Proven ability to build organisational capability and responsiveness, steer and manage change, and deal with uncertainty. A tertiary qualification applicable to the position. Knowledge of the higher education sector, contemporary education for the health professions and professional accreditation is desirable. Chief Executive Officer // The Australian Psychological Accreditation Council 10
THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS AND HOW TO APPLY APAC will be supported in this appointment process by the executive search firm Perrett Laver. Perrett Laver will support the selection committee in the discharge of its duties, both to assist in the assessment of candidates against the requirements for the role and to identify the widest possible field of qualified candidates. Applications should consist of a full curriculum vitae detailing academic and professional qualifications, full employment history, and relevant achievements. CVs should be accompanied by a covering letter describing briefly how candidates meet the criteria outlined in the position specification, why the appointment is of interest and what they believe they can bring to the role. Completed applications should be uploaded at www.perrettlaver.com/candidates quoting reference 1838. The deadline for applications is Friday 30 th January 2015 at 12 noon AEST. As part of this process candidates may be invited to communicate with APAC representatives in person or by video conference. It is expected that final shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview in early March 2015. The appointment will be made subject to satisfactory references and it is intended that the appointee will take up employment as soon as contractual obligations allow. If you have any further questions, please contact Rosie Hutton in the Sydney office at rosie.hutton@perrettlaver.com or +61 (0) 2 8354 4000. Chief Executive Officer // The Australian Psychological Accreditation Council 11