Member Board of Supervisors / Business Operations profile

Introduction

Oxfam Novib is part of a global movement of people with the shared mission for a just and sustainable world. We stand in solidarity with courageous activists demanding radical change: from tackling injustice in trade and tax systems, and demanding ambitious and fair climate policies, to championing equal rights for all. Oxfam Novib brings people, businesses and governments together and challenges them to realize change. All over the world and in the Netherlands.

Oxfam Novib is a foundation registered in The Netherlands with a strong constituency of Dutch supporters and nearly 70 years of experience in international cooperation. We are part of the Oxfam confederation that is active in 90 countries to bring a strong and united voice to the world stage. Together with our colleagues, partners and local communities, we work on systemic change and concrete results for people. 

We are committed to Oxfam Novib’s core values of empowerment, accountability, inclusiveness, courage, solidarity and equality. We walk the talk on our feminist principles, values, vision and responsibilities, and report transparently on these matters.

Oxfam Novib is currently looking for one new member of its Board of Supervisors who shares our vision of a just and sustainable world and speaking truth to power. 

Member Board of Supervisors (incl. membership of Finance Committee)
 

For the vacancy, we are looking particularly for experience and expertise in:  Business Operations (with a finance and/or organizational development background)

Your role as supervisor
As a member of the Board of Supervisors, you have the mandate to assess and oversee the work of the Board of Directors, delivering their management responsibility -independently and thoroughly- through the strategic, planning and implementation stages. Your role is to approve plans related to core policy areas and strategic decisions, to supervise implementation and evaluation of these plans and ensure that strategic decisions are aligned with Oxfam Novib vision, and as always based on a sound analysis of risks. Moreover, as the formal employer of all four directors, you have the collective responsibility to appoint and monitor the functioning and integrity of the directors. Lastly, the Board of Supervisors also acts as an advisor and sounding board to the Board of Directors. 

The way of working of the Board of Supervisors

The BoS consists of seven members, who: 

• strive for diversity in their membership of backgrounds, skills and competences,
• work in a collegial spirit, while taking an independent and constructive attitude towards each other and the Board of Directors,
• have no direct interest in or any relations with the Oxfam Novib foundation,
• display unity: with each member speaking on behalf of the Board of Supervisors to external stakeholders as one voice,
• meets 6-7 times a year as a team. The newly recruited member will become a member of the Board of Supervisors’ Finance Committee, which entails an additional 4-5 meetings per year.

Who are we looking for? 

Preferable qualities of the new member of BoS are the following. You   

• fully endorse Oxfam Novib’s mission, values and feminist principles, and are excited to contribute, challenge and strengthen Oxfam Novib’s course;
• follow developments in the field of international cooperation and activism and you have a vision and knowledge of global relations; or is willing to follow developments and support Oxfam's activism
• have experience with Business Operations of an (international) organization, for example with Finance, Organizational Development, HR, IT, Accounting & Audit, or other business operations, preferably in a professional and international environment. Excluded are employees of financial institutions like banks, insurers, pension funds due to the www.eerlijkegeldwijzer.nl
• are able to conduct an open dialogue with the Board of Directors as a sparring partner, and you can question them critically but constructively;
• understand the flexible and dynamic context in which international NGOs operate and can tailor your supervisory approach accordingly;
• have feminist leadership qualities and general managerial experience;
• have a broad social and professional network and you are well connected to current societal development;
• have working proficiency in English;
• are available for this task for approximately 2-3 half days per month;

Equality is the common thread in our work and projects, both internally and externally. Our aim is to create an environment where everyone not only feels welcome, but where diversity is embraced and celebrated. Let's strive together to build a team that offers a rich variety of perspectives, enabling us to achieve an inclusive and inspiring work environment. The Board of Supervisors champions these values and therefore warmly invites people from all backgrounds to apply. If you recognize yourself in the profile, but do not meet all criteria, the Board of Supervisors still encourages you to apply.

Recruitment and appointment
Members of the Board of Supervisors are recruited through a public procedure and appointed for a three-year term, with the option of up to two reappointments of three years each. 

The procedure

Oxfam Novib is supported in this search by executive search firm Colourful People. Interested candidates are invited to apply online by 17 May 2026 by uploading a CV and motivation letter (both in PDF format) via www.colourfulpeople.nl or by contacting us directly. For further information or a confidential conversation, please reach out to René Burgler-Roga, LL.M., Senior Partner at Colourful People, via r.burgler@colourfulpeople.nl or +31 (0)6 28 57 54 36.

Following receipt of your application, Colourful People will contact you to arrange an in-depth pre-selection interview. First-round interviews with the selection committee at the Oxfam Novib office in The Hague are scheduled for Tuesday 2 June (afternoon). A limited number of candidates will be invited for a second round of interviews later in June.

A reference check, screening and VOG (Certificate of Conduct) application will form part of the procedure. We aim to complete the process in June 2026, with the intention to proceed to appointment during the Supervisory Board meeting of 10 July 2026.