Two Members for the Supervisory Board

The organization

The Center for Religious and Philosophical Education (CvV) facilitates the provision of religious and philosophical education in public elementary schools and cooperative schools. The content of this education is the responsibility of seven separate denominations: Buddhist, Hindu, Humanist, Islamic, Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant. The CvV is regarded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (OCW) as the entity that annually receives the institutional subsidy of approximately €16 million for religious and philosophical education and thereby facilitates religious or philosophical education. This facilitation focuses primarily on carrying out a number of joint tasks and ensuring adequate support and operational management for the various denominations. The CvV maintains contact with the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science. Over the past year, significant attention has been devoted to building connections with the relevant denominations to support one another in education and organizational matters (source: 2023 annual report).

Vocational education

Parents of students at public elementary schools and cooperative schools have a legal right (under Articles 50, 51, and 192 of the Public Education Act) to request that the school provide religious or philosophical instruction for their children. These classes offer parents Buddhist, Hindu, Humanist, Islamic, Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant instruction. These classes help students develop their own philosophical identity. The subject teachers teach from their own philosophical background and introduce students to the richness of that culture, tradition, and way of life. In these classes, students develop their own perspective on life. In doing so, students learn to adopt an open attitude toward other worldviews and thus to be open to others. Each year, approximately 50,000 children in public elementary schools in the Netherlands receive this religious education.

Structure and working methods

The primary responsibility of the Supervisory Board is to oversee the policies of the Executive Director and the general affairs of the foundation. In addition, the Supervisory Board acts as an advisor to the Executive Director, both on its own initiative and upon request. This advice may be proactive, focusing on future developments, or reflective, focusing on decisions that have already been made. In carrying out these tasks, the members of the Supervisory Board always act in the best interests of the foundation. They carefully weigh the interests of all stakeholders, both internal and external, and ensure a balanced representation of these interests. The Supervisory Board strives for open and engaged collaboration with stakeholders, incorporating their perspectives into decision-making and strategic choices. This approach contributes to a transparent and effective fulfillment of the supervisory role.

The foundation employs an executive director. The supervisory board serves as the employer and the internal supervisory body. This executive director receives advice and input from a directors’ council. This council includes representatives of the seven denominations involved in religious education at public elementary schools. When determining or amending the allocation formula used to distribute the subsidy from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW), the denominations give their approval through the directors’ council. The directors’ council has a right to advise on other matters. Once a year, there is an organized meeting between the supervisory board, the directors’ council, and representatives of the seven denominations.

Composition of the Board of Supervisors

• The supervisory board consists of 3 to 5 members
• In forming the supervisory board, the goal is to ensure diversity
• In forming the Supervisory Board, consideration is given to the various duties and powers of the Supervisory Board as set forth in the articles of incorporation. Within the Supervisory Board, the following areas of focus are identified: Finance, Operations and Services, Education and Philosophy, Compensation, Human Resources and Collective Bargaining Agreements, and Relations with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
• When filling a vacancy on the supervisory board, consideration is given not only to the candidates’ specific expertise, but also to their contribution to the ideological diversity of the board’s composition.

General Profile of an Internal Auditor

The internal auditor:

• endorses the mission of the CvV Foundation
• has an affinity for education in philosophy of life and religious education
• has strategic and policy-oriented insight based on a vision
• has the ability to provide guidance and serve as a sounding board, engage in dialogue, and inspire
• has a bird's-eye view
• is independent, acts with integrity, and has no vested interests in the organization
• has extensive social experience and insight into social relationships and developments
• understands the unique role of vocational education within the public education system;
• can operate independently within a complex political, administrative, and social landscape
• has an understanding of the perspectives of other stakeholders (society, politics, academic and industry organizations) and their interests
• has strong communication skills to serve as a unifying force within the team of supervisors, the executive director, the secretary, and the representatives of the denominations
• is sensitive to organizational dynamics and has a good understanding of interpersonal relationships
• has a network in education and politics that is relevant to the CvV
• understands the ways in which a professional organization can be managed
• has sufficient availability and dedication to adequately fulfill the role of a member of the supervisory board

Specific requirements for members

Profile: Finance, Operations, and Services

• has knowledge of business strategy, operations, and service delivery
• has a good understanding of and clear views on business operations and service delivery
• has knowledge of cash flows and financing issues in education and for grant recipients
• has an understanding of the organization's risk factors
• can interpret financial reports and budgets
• is familiar with relevant financial networks
• is a member of the Finance Audit Committee

Profile: Education and Philosophy of Life

• has access to relevant (academic) educational networks
• has an overview of the philosophical landscape
• has demonstrable experience at the strategic level in primary public education
• has in-depth knowledge of and experience with philosophical traditions
• follows research and innovation in the field of philosophy of life and citizenship

Remuneration

The compensation for members of the supervisory board has been determined with due regard to the specific context of vocational education.

Information

You can request an information package from the executive secretary at e.voets@vormingsonderwijs.nl. For questions regarding the content, please contact the chair of the Supervisory Board, Willem Baumfalk, at w.baumfalk@svok.nl. More information is also available on our website: www.vormingsonderwijs.nl.

Apply

Are you interested? Please send your cover letter and resume by May 15, 2025, to Board Secretary Elsbeth Voets at e.voets@vormingsonderwijs.nl. An initial selection will be made based on the documents submitted. Selected candidates will be invited for an interview on the afternoon of Thursday, May 22, 2025.