Injustice is unacceptable. That’s why VSO is committed to a fair and just world where everyone has equal opportunities. Our changemakers are active in Africa and Asia. These specialists in education, healthcare, and livelihoods stand up against injustices and take action for—and especially with—those who are marginalized. By sharing their knowledge and experience, they make the world more just, village by village. Would you like to use your fundraising knowledge and expertise to help make the world a fairer place?
We are looking for a chair of the Supervisory Board for VSO Netherlands and a Trustee/Director of the VSO Foundation (volunteer role).
VSO is the world’s leading international non-governmental organisation that works through volunteers to create a fair world for everyone. Our work centres on those who are left out by society – those living in extreme poverty, or with disability and illness. Those who face discrimination and violence because of their gender, sexuality, or social status. Those who are at risk from disaster, disease, and conflict. VSO works to understand the complexities of the problems in their communities, from their perspective, we define the issues, opportunities, and solutions that drive sustainable, locally led change. These “primary actors express their knowledge of how to address the problems, take action and stand against injustice, acting as local driving forces that make the world fairer, step by step, village by village. These individuals are the key agents of their own transformation. They ensure that once a project is completed, the change endures. In this way, we aim for lasting change.
Our Volunteering for Development (VfD) method supports primary actors to achieve their rights and bring about lasting change, to create a fair world for everyone. Rooted in addressing the fundamental causes of marginalisation and vulnerability, our three core approaches – social inclusion and gender, social accountability, and resilience – guide our work in education, health, and livelihoods. With most of our volunteers being national, we build blended teams of community, national, and international volunteers, uniting diverse perspectives and experiences to generate insight, innovation and action.
About VSO, the Foundation
Stichting VSO International, the Foundation, was established in September 2023 to bring together one global operating model of VSO under a European registration.
The Board is Chaired by Julia Lalla-Maharajh OBE, and currently comprises four other board members. The Board operates through a schedule of delegation to the Chief Executive Officers, and the two standing Board Committees: Audit and Risk and Governance.
About the Supervisory Board – VSO Netherlands
The Supervisory Board (SB) of VSO Netherlands plays a supervisory role in the development of policies, functioning, and general affairs of the organisation, and acts as a sparring partner for its two Co-Directors. The Supervisory Board can provide both solicited and unsolicited advice on all matters concerning VSO Netherlands and serves as the employer for the two Co-Directors. The Co-Directors have been in position since September 2022, and together they lead all the VSO Netherlands activity.
The chair is the primary contact for the Co-Directors. They chair the meetings aiming for a collaborative approach in our decision-making. The Supervisory Board also holds consultations with the staff representatives (PVT) at least two times in a year.
VSO Netherlands is currently undergoing changes and has three main priorities. These include further developing private fundraising initiatives and partnerships, maintaining cost efficiency, and achieving sharper positioning and greater visibility in the Netherlands to support the VSO profile across the European Union.
Who are we looking for?
VSO Netherlands’ Supervisory Board and the VSO Board are diverse, with members reflecting various backgrounds across the organisation. Difference in expertise, gender, race, and experience. All board members are committed to practising inclusion to fulfil VSO’s mission of bringing people together to address marginalisation and poverty.
Our board members contribute alongside our primary actors, our project delivery teams, (employees, volunteers both at the local and global level), and our partner organisations to generate a fair world for everyone. The trustee role in this is one of governance and leadership.
We are seeking a committed professional to serve as the Chair of the VSO Netherlands Supervisory Board and also as a trustee of the VSO Foundation Board.
We are looking for someone who is resident in the Netherlands, who is fluent in Dutch and English, and is familiar with the Dutch development and non-profit landscape, as well as charity regulations in the Netherlands. The board members of VSO can be found here.
This vacancy has arisen for two reasons: the current chair of VSO Netherlands is stepping down after eight years of service, and the Supervisory Board aims to have the new chair start by November 2024. VSO, the Foundation is established since September 2023, and we are looking to add a Dutch board member. In order to foster close collaboration between the two entities, we want to combine these roles.
We are seeking a candidate who has:
- Experience of board or committee, non-executive membership, preferably as chair or vice chair in the not-for-profit sector.
- Fluency in both Dutch and English and a resident of the Netherlands.
- Experience in working and influencing internationally.
- Social entrepreneurship and strategic thinking capabilities.
- Independence, critical thinking, positivity, and integrity.
- A track record of commitment to promoting inclusion, equality, and diversity.
- Willingness to invest time, energy, and personal network to contribute to the ambitions of VSO and VSO Netherlands.
- Demonstrable experience of building and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders and colleagues to achieve organisational objectives.
- A commitment to VSO’s mission, values and objectives.
- Cultural affinity for the diverse people, places, and communities we serve, aiming to drive lasting change through the transformational power of volunteering for development
How can I express my interest and apply?
If you are interested in this position, you can download the full profile here.
Please email your application letter with CV and any references to trustee.recruitment@vsoint.org with the title VSO Dutch trustee role by 19th September 2024.
All applicants will undergo two Interviews with the selection committee which will take place in September and early October. Please note that all applicants will need to complete a criminal background check and VSO will conduct an open media sweep prior to the interviews.
VSO has zero tolerance of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people. We expect all our employees/volunteers to ensure we are protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm and abide by our safeguarding policy committing to VSO’s vision and values.
