Simavi is looking for a

Member of the supervisory board
chairperson of the audit committee

Too much, too little or too dirty water. Globally, women and girls are hit hardest by climate change and the lack of safe drinking water and toilets. For a quarter of the world's population, access to water, toilets and hygiene is still far from a given, especially as climate change increases the problem. Especially for girls and women.

Simavi is an independent international non-profit organization that works with partners in 10 countries in Africa and Asia on programmes that support local solutions so women and girls can enjoy their human rights to water, a toilet and equal treatment.

We focus on three pillars to change that permanently: Water and a toilet for all; Local climate solutions; More equality for women. We apply three lenses to our broad WATER and WOMEN framing: equality, climate and power and we believe we can create the most impact through our programmes, advocacy and campaigns.

Shifting the Power is our ambition and we believe this includes localization of aid, devolving resources and decision-making to partners in the South and giving voice to women and girls.

Simavi is an ambitious development organization in transformation with headquarters in Amsterdam, and with representation in most countries where we work. The organization is characterized by an agile, non-hierarchical, and open workstyle with teams working together. Dieneke van der Wijk, the managing director, leads the organization of approximately 50 employees globally and with various partners in the countries where Simavi is active across Africa and Asia.

The role
The Supervisory Board is looking for a new, dedicated member with strong affinity with Simavi’s mission and strategy, and more specifically with a vast experience in finance and risk assessment. A person who embraces shared global leadership and is available to assist the managing director and the finance director in Simavi’s mission: to fight for equality and overcome barriers for women and girls to claim their human rights to water and sanitation.

Preferably, we are looking for a candidate with experience in finance and risk in an international environment. The new member will be chairperson of the audit committee, which (amongst others) reviews the annual accounts, budgets and the financial strategy of the organization.

About you
Our next Supervisory Board member will have the following competencies and experiences:

Financial knowledge and experience

• Affinity with Simavi’s objectives, its WASH-focus areas (equality, climate and power) and the human rights-based approach and shift the power ambition.
• Experience with Dutch financial regulations and reporting requirements for ANBI organizations
• Experience in organizational transformation from a financial perspective
• Broad societal interest and preferably access to a relevant network that can contribute to the objectives of Simavi;
• Environmental awareness - understands the culture and specifics of Simavi and the charities sector

Strategic vision and governance

• Ability to move from vision to strategy to implementation.
• Understands situational supervision and switches wisely and flexibly between the role of supervisor, employer and sounding board of the Managing Director and Finance director.
• Experience as a (Supervisory) Board member
• Ability to understand and critically evaluate the strategic and/or financial matters presented by the Managing Director and Finance Director (while keeping an adequate balance between involvement and distance).

Leadership style

• Attention to and understanding of inclusiveness/diversity.
• Empathic, listens carefully, respects everyone’s opinion.
• Is socially competent and has a connecting and collegial work style.
• Acts independently and with integrity and can separate the role as a board member from personal priorities and interests.
• Commitment and adequate availability of time in executing the position;

Terms and conditions
The remuneration of members of the Supervisory Board is limited to an expense allowance. Supervisory Board members are appointed for fixed-term periods of four years. A person may be appointed to the Supervisory Board for a maximum of two four-year terms.

Closing date: Friday 8 December, 2023