Two members of the Supervisory Board

About the Kidney Foundation

Healthy kidneys for everyone and improving the lives of kidney patients—that’s what we’re working toward. Together with the NVN and its partners, the Dutch Kidney Foundation is committed to making a real difference and refuses to accept the status quo for kidney patients. That’s why we want to act decisively and boldly, and work in a results-oriented manner. The Dutch Kidney Foundation is evolving from a traditional charity that primarily invests funds in scientific research into a social organization that also invests in projects, technology and product development, alliances, community-building, and other initiatives that help prevent, manage, and cure kidney diseases. This is a major shift that impacts the organization, its finances, and its culture. For example, in 2014, the Dutch Kidney Foundation launched an initiative to develop a portable artificial kidney for dialysis patients. These activities have since been incorporated into the international company Nextkidney.

The KOERS strategy of the Dutch Kidney Foundation and the NVN aims to achieve the greatest possible impact by collaborating with other parties within the kidney care network and beyond. We encourage active and sustained engagement among volunteers, donors, and patients. Where necessary, we leverage the expertise and influence of professionals, healthcare providers, scientists, businesses, the media, and the government. The Dutch Kidney Foundation is optimistic and takes a proactive approach. We take the initiative and drive issues forward. The Dutch Kidney Foundation is passionately committed to (potential) kidney patients and their families, and listens to society. As an organization, we are open, accessible, and approachable.

Starting in 2021, the Dutch Kidney Foundation and the NVN will work together, based on a shared vision, to raise awareness of the vital importance of healthy kidneys, the impact of kidney disease, and the urgent need to collaborate with others to develop innovations and solutions. Through our efforts, we are driving the movement toward:

• appropriate support and care for kidney patients;
• preventing (further) kidney damage;
• improving treatment for kidney failure.

The organization

The Dutch Kidney Foundation employs 64 dedicated individuals who ensure that resources are allocated effectively and efficiently to the themes and roles outlined in the KOERS strategy. Working in role-based teams, staff members from the NVN and the Dutch Kidney Foundation collaborate to achieve the goals described in the themes, as well as to carry out the teams’ regular and development activities.

The Dutch Kidney Foundation and the NVN recently established a joint management team consisting of the director (statutory director) and the managers of Operations, Marketing & Communications, and Care & Innovation at the Dutch Kidney Foundation, as well as the director of the NVN. Together, they oversee the activities outlined in the joint annual plan. Together, they ensure that employees are provided with an inspiring (work) environment. This is achieved through a shared ambition and culture, sound personnel policies, the right (ICT) resources, and a good workplace. The management team also promotes an effective and efficient internal organization and adjusts the set course as necessary. Want to learn more about the organization and its direction? Visit the Dutch Kidney Foundation.

Management and Oversight

As a health fund and recognized charity, the Dutch Kidney Foundation is mindful of its social role and the responsibilities that come with it. In addition to its statutory duties, the Board oversees the realization of the ambitions set forth in the KOERS strategy, the annual plan, and the budget. It also monitors the decisions made, the impact and results sought, and the potential risks involved—in other words, the responsible use of acquired financial resources. This also includes oversight of operations, the decisions made, and their impact and results in accordance with applicable governance rules. In doing so, we maintain the necessary space and distance to effectively fulfill our supervisory role.

The director bears full responsibility, both internally and externally, for the day-to-day operations of the Dutch Kidney Foundation and reports to the Supervisory Board. The following values have been defined in the governance and oversight framework: public trust and transparency, trust as a foundation, and the Supervisory Board as a collective.

Cohesion and collaboration within the Board of Trustees are important. This ensures that all Board members remain engaged at all times. The Board of Trustees has two committees: the Compensation Committee and the Audit Committee. For more information on our approach and vision regarding oversight, see Supervisory Board.

The members of the Supervisory Board represent a balanced cross-section of the social context in which the Dutch Kidney Foundation operates and possess expertise in areas relevant to the Foundation. The current Board consists of six members. Due to the expiration of a term and an existing vacancy, we are seeking two new members, one with a social background and one with a legal background.

The Dutch Kidney Foundation aims to build effective relationships with all target groups in society and has observed that it has less of a presence among certain groups (including people from non-Western backgrounds), even though the prevalence of kidney disease in these groups is high and on the rise. For this reason, we strongly encourage candidates from non-Western backgrounds to apply for these positions. At least one of the new members is a woman.

General Qualifications for Members of the Supervisory Board

The general job requirements and qualities of the members of the Supervisory Board:

• share the mission and vision of the Dutch Kidney Foundation;
• are people of integrity, able to navigate conflicting interests, and know how to strike the right balance between engagement and detachment in accordance with applicable governance rules;
• have experience with or an affinity for oversight, and must be able to distinguish between oversight and management. A candidate without oversight experience, but who has a clear understanding of this distinction and an affinity for oversight, must be willing to undergo training in oversight;
• have a relevant network and are willing to leverage it;
• are independent and objective, and have no financial interest in the membership;
• contribute to cohesion and collaboration within the Supervisory Board;
• comply with the codes and guidelines of Goede Doelen Nederland.

Specific characteristics of the social profile

As a member of the Board of Trustees with a social profile, you will contribute your insight and experience in social and/or administrative matters; you understand how society views charitable organizations and are aware of relevant developments in society and/or specifically in the healthcare sector. The specific areas of expertise required are:

• extensive experience in driving social impact and contributing to socioeconomic development;
• extensive experience, preferably in a rural setting, with a social mission;
• knowledge of and experience with political decision-making processes;
• innovative and entrepreneurial skills;
• experience in forming alliances and partnerships with various stakeholders and (larger) organizations.

Specific features of the legal profile

The specific skills required are:

• • Well-versed in legal and administrative matters, with a clear vision of compliance and governance;
• • experience and expertise in legal issues related to the nonprofit sector;
• • the ability to bring an outside perspective;
• • Knowledge and experience in corporate law and intellectual property (IP) matters are preferred.

Scope, expectations, and compensation

The Supervisory Board holds five regular meetings each year. An annual strategy day is organized to address current issues, with participation from the Supervisory Board, the director, the management team, and relevant stakeholders such as the NVN and professionals.
Members do not receive any financial compensation but may submit expense reports for costs incurred.

Procedure

The Supervisory Board of the Dutch Kidney Foundation is working with the executive search firm Colourful People to assist with recruitment and selection. For more information about the Supervisory Board and the open positions, please contact Monique Spaansen, a partner at Colourful People (M.Spaansen@colourfulpeople.nl). You can express your interest by submitting your cover letter and resume via the Colourful People website by August 14. The initial interviews are scheduled for August 16, 18, and 23. Interviews with the selection committee are scheduled for mid-September, with the goal of having the new supervisor start in October.