Member of the Board of Supervisors / Business Operations Profile

Oxfam Novib is a foundation registered in the Netherlands with a strong base of Dutch supporters and nearly 70 years of experience in international cooperation. We are part of the Oxfam confederation, which operates in 90 countries to bring a strong and united voice to the global stage. Together with our colleagues, partners, and local communities, we work toward systemic change and tangible results for people. 

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

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

Member of the Board of Supervisors (including membership on the Finance Committee)

For this position, we are specifically looking for experience and expertise in: Business Operations (with a background in finance and/or organizational development)

Your role as a supervisor w
. As a member of the Board of Supervisors, you are tasked with assessing and overseeing the work of the Board of Directors, ensuring that they fulfill their management responsibilities—independently and thoroughly—throughout the strategic, planning, and implementation phases. Your role is to approve plans related to core policy areas and strategic decisions, to oversee the implementation and evaluation of these plans, and to ensure that strategic decisions align with Oxfam Novib’s vision and, as always, are based on a sound analysis of risks. Furthermore, as the formal employer of all four directors, you share the collective responsibility to appoint them and monitor their performance and integrity. Finally, the Board of Supervisors also serves as an advisor and sounding board to the Board of Directors. 

The Board of Supervisors' working methods

The BoS consists of seven members, who: 

• strive for diversity in their membership in terms of backgrounds, skills, and competencies,
• work in a spirit of collegiality, while maintaining an independent and constructive attitude toward one another and the Board of Directors,
• have no direct interest in or any ties to the Oxfam Novib foundation,
• display unity: with each member speaking on behalf of the Board of Supervisors to external stakeholders as a unified voice,
• meets 6–7 times a year as a team. The newly recruited member will join the Board of Supervisors’ Finance Committee, which entails an additional 4–5 meetings per year.

Who are we looking for?

The following are the preferred qualities for the new member of the Board of Supervisors. You   

• fully endorse Oxfam Novib’s mission, values, and feminist principles, and are excited to contribute to, challenge, and strengthen Oxfam Novib’s work;
• keep up with developments in the field of international cooperation and activism and have a vision and understanding of global relations; or is willing to stay informed about developments and support Oxfam's advocacy efforts
• have experience with business operations at an (international) organization, such as in finance, organizational development, HR, IT, accounting & audit, or other business functions, preferably in a professional and international environment. Employees of financial institutions such as banks, insurance companies, and pension funds are excluded due to the rewww.eerlijkegeldwijzer.nl
• are able to engage in an open dialogue with the Board of Directors as a sounding board, and you can challenge them critically but constructively;
• understand the flexible and dynamic environment in which international NGOs operate and adapt your supervisory approach accordingly;
• possess feminist leadership qualities and general managerial experience;
• have a broad social and professional network and are well-informed about current societal trends;
• have a working proficiency in English;
• are available for this task for approximately 2–3 half-days per month;

Equality is the common thread running through our work and projects, both internally and externally. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone not only feels welcome, but where diversity is embraced and celebrated. Let’s work 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 process and appointed for a three-year term, with the possibility of up to two reappointments of three years each. 

The procedure

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

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

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