Member of the Supervisory Board

Profile characteristics:

With your knowledge of elementary education, you have a keen understanding of developments in the education sector. You can leverage this (political and administrative) insight as a supervisor to help position De Schoolschrijver as a newcomer in the market for innovative teaching methods. You have an extensive national network and experience in government or the media. With your strategic insight and entrepreneurial spirit, you will contribute to De Schoolschrijver’s mission to help as many students as possible—regardless of background or origin—develop strong language skills by creating impactful products. This innovative approach is what sets De Schoolschrijver apart and is therefore key to its market positioning. As a sparring partner, you are sharp and ask the right questions to sufficiently challenge the Executive Director. Candidates with a bicultural background are expressly encouraged to apply. In short, are you the energetic candidate with the courage to embark on this adventure with De Schoolschrijver?

Required skills:

• actively and critically, in a constructive manner
• independent
• collaborative and a team player
• firm and convincing
• open and engaged
• good communication skills
• approachable

The Board of Supervisors

The Supervisory Board is the highest supervisory, monitoring, and advisory body of De Schoolschrijver. The Supervisory Board provides oversight in a supportive yet critical manner and fulfills its role as an employer. The board of De Schoolschrijver is accountable to the
Executive Director. The Supervisory Board meets at least four times a year for a meeting prepared by the chair and the Executive Director. In addition, a strategy session is held to prepare for the annual goals set by the board.
The Supervisory Board consists of at least 3 and no more than 5 individuals. Members are appointed for a term of 3 years; a retiring member may be reappointed once. A rotation schedule is followed.
Together, the members possess a relevant network and specific expertise and knowledge that contribute to the organization as a whole, in the areas of: politics/administration, elementary education, the humanities and literature education, educational publishing, ICT developments in education, entrepreneurship/commerce, (new) media, sponsorship and fundraising, research, legal affairs, finance, HRM, and business operations.

General requirements for all members of the supervisory board are as follows:

• are able to contribute critically and independently to the decision-making process within the supervisory board and have no conflict of interest in doing so;
• have a broad interest in social issues and a demonstrable affinity with the organization’s mission, vision, and objectives;
• have a broad and relevant network, and are willing to utilize this network for the benefit of the foundation;
• are able, including in terms of available time, to oversee the board’s policies, monitor the general course of business within the foundation, and advise the executive director.

The organization

The Schoolschrijver Foundation is an enterprising nonprofit organization that has been dedicated since 2010 to helping every child in the Netherlands become proficient in language. Strong reading and writing skills are essential for success in school and later in life. De Schoolschrijver’s approach is based on the belief that reading and creative writing—the power of stories—brings about a fundamental change in a child’s relationship to the world. Through language comprehension and linguistic expression, children can
develop personally, build strong relationships, and improve their opportunities in school and in society.

To achieve this mission, De Schoolschrijver develops digital and hybrid programs for all elementary schools (De Schoolschrijver Month, the Academy, and a Reading & Writing Curriculum). In addition, there is a half-school-year program—
—specifically designed for schools with a high percentage of children with low language proficiency.

The School Writer wants to:

• to expose as many elementary school children as possible to the richness of language and literature and expand their vocabulary;
• using creativity to make language education more fun, smarter, and better;
• children learn to trust their own talents and creativity;
• teachers are learning a new approach that will help them give their students an even better start.

Interested?

The Schoolschrijver Foundation is being assisted in this process by the executive search firm Colourful People. You can apply by uploading your resume and cover letter (both in PDF format) no later than May 24, 2023, via www.colourfulpeople.nl. If you have any questions about this position, please contact Hatice Türkmen, senior partner at Colourful People, at 06 46 08 13 32. The interviews at De Schoolschrijver are scheduled for May 26, 2023.