Chair of the General Meeting of Members + 4 members of the Supervisory Board

The Southeast Utrecht Primary Education Partnership (SWV ZOUT)

On August 1, 2014, the Dutch government introduced “appropriate education” with the goal of ensuring that all children are placed in the most suitable educational setting possible. All students must be placed in a school that matches their strengths and abilities. Appropriate education helps every child reach their full potential. Schools therefore provide appropriate education to students with additional educational and support needs.

Partnerships

Regional partnerships have been established to implement the Appropriate Education Act. In an appropriate education partnership, mainstream schools and schools for special (primary) education in a region work together. They agree on what support mainstream schools will provide, which students will be placed in special (primary) education, and how support resources will be allocated. These agreements are set out in the support plan.

ZOUT Primary Education Partnership

SWV ZOUT brings together 30 school boards and 75 schools in the Southeast Utrecht region to provide appropriate education for 17,636 students. SWV ZOUT is committed to more inclusive thinking and action: ideally, students attend a regular elementary school, preferably close to home, regardless of their support needs. If special education or special elementary education can better meet the student’s support needs, then that is the best place for them. We collaborate with secondary schools and the municipalities of Bunnik, De Bilt, Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Wijk bij Duurstede, and Zeist.

Governance

Effective August 1, 2023, SWV ZOUT will adopt a new governance model consisting of an association with a General Members’ Meeting (GMM) in which the 30 school boards are represented. The executive office is managed by the board, which consists of the executive director, and has an independent supervisory board.

The General Meeting

All member boards of the partnership collectively form the General Meeting of Members. The purpose of the General Meeting of Members is to give voice to the involvement of the member participants in the partnership and to help shape the partnership’s policy. To this end, the General Meeting of Members has been granted a number of powers. These include, for example:

• Establishing the foundation’s strategic objectives (vision and mission);
• Adopting the Support Plan (SP), the annual plan, and the (multi-year) budget;
• The adoption or amendment of the articles of incorporation;
• The profile for members of the supervisory board.

The General Assembly also serves as a forum for the mutual exchange of knowledge and information, as well as for discussing future policies within the partnership and the implementation of current policies. The General Assembly will have its own independent chairperson. The chairperson of the General Assembly serves as chairperson of the general meetings held within the association. In doing so, the chairperson ensures that these meetings are conducted in accordance with the proper procedures, as set forth in the law, the articles of incorporation, and/or the applicable bylaws.

The Board of Supervisors

The Supervisory Board consists of four independent members and an independent chairperson. The Supervisory Board is the employer of the executive director and oversees the quality of the partnership and the implementation of the Support Plan. The members of the Supervisory Board advise and assist the executive director. The Supervisory Board approves and oversees the implementation of the strategic direction as described in the Support Plan and periodically discusses the main policy guidelines, as set forth in the Support Plan.

The Managing Director

The Executive Director oversees the day-to-day operations of the association’s administrative office. In addition, he is responsible for preparing and implementing the association’s policies and activities and is authorized to take all necessary actions in that regard.

We are looking for a chairperson for the General Meeting of SWV ZOUT. A more detailed job description can be found here.

In addition, we are seeking four members for the supervisory board. We are looking for four members, including one with a financial background and one with a legal background. The remaining two members may primarily be generalists. All members must possess a strategic approach to work and thinking, as well as a broad interest in social and educational issues. Experience in a supervisory role is preferred for at least two members. The detailed job description can be found here.

Procedure

The PO ZOUT partnership is being assisted in this recruitment process by the executive search firm Colourful People. To apply, please upload your resume and cover letter (both in PDF format) by June 19, 2023, using the application button on this page, specifying the position you are interested in. For questions about this position, please contact Monique Spaansen, senior partner at Colourful People. She can be reached starting June 5 at 06-51526255 or via m.spaansen@colourfulpeople.nl

Interviews with candidates are scheduled for the week of June 19–26.