Chair and two members of the Supervisory Board

About the National Slavery Museum

The Netherlands is on the cusp of a significant milestone in its cultural and social history: the establishment of the National Slavery Museum (NSM). Prior to its opening in 2030, the museum will organize temporary exhibitions and continue the participatory process already underway. With a mission to tell the full story of the Netherlands’ history of slavery, the museum aims to contribute to an inclusive, just, and equitable society. Although the history of transatlantic slavery is the starting point for the National Slavery Museum, the broader history of slavery in the Netherlands is part of the museum’s narrative.

The museum, which will be operated by an independent foundation, will serve a wide range of purposes: it will house a physical and digital collection, offer educational programs, and organize exhibitions. The museum will also include a knowledge center where visitors can conduct family and genealogical research. The National Slavery Museum will be a meeting place where history and current social issues converge. Personal stories and diverse perspectives are central to the narrative the museum tells, spanning five periods. In this way, the museum aims to inform, inspire, and engage visitors by offering a multi-layered experience that incorporates diverse perspectives and regions. More information about the mission and establishment of the NSM can be found in the museum’s business plan,“Tell the Whole Story.”

Goals through 2030

The National Slavery Museum is being built on Java Island in Amsterdam. The building, which will cover approximately 9,000 square meters, is scheduled for completion in 2030. Between 2025 and 2030, the foundation will focus on establishing and organizing the museum’s operations and on the construction of the museum.

Key tasks during this period include:

• Organizational structure and development: therecruitment of approximately 50–70 employees, including specialists in the fields of education, research, collection management, museum programming, and operations.
• Programming:developing temporary exhibitions and activities leading up to the opening.
• Participation:expanding the participatory process with communities, heritage organizations, and grassroots initiatives to ensure broad support.
• Fundraising:strengthening our financial foundation through fundraising and collaboration with public and private partners.
• Digital foundation:establishing a digital collection and knowledge center as the foundation for the physical museum.
• Knowledge Center:establishing a (museum-based) knowledge center where visitors can research their ancestral and family history, which contributes to the museum’s narrative and is integrated into the existing network of knowledge institutions.
• Construction and interior design: collaboratingwith architects and the municipality to build and furnish the museum.

Part of this involves putting together a management team with three main responsibilities:

• Artistic and Curatorial: exhibitions, educational programs, collection management, and research.
• Business: financial management, fundraising, and operations.
• Communication & Relations: stakeholder management, external communication, and community engagement.

Role of the Supervisory Board

The National Slavery Museum (NSM) will be established as a foundation. The strategy, operations, and day-to-day management are the responsibility of a single-member board, consisting of the executive director, who is being recruited concurrently. The Supervisory Board (RvT) fulfills three key roles: overseeing the direction and policy, advising the board, and acting as the employer of the executive director. The Supervisory Board performs these roles in a professional and independent manner, in compliance with the law, the Cultural Governance Code, the foundation’s articles of incorporation, other regulations, and relevant codes of conduct. In doing so, the Supervisory Board ensures that the board acts in accordance with the foundation’s objectives and long-term program. The Board of Trustees also ensures the maintenance of a good relationship with the City of Amsterdam and the national government. The Board of Trustees demonstrates visible commitment to the foundation and its social objectives, both internally and externally. In addition to appointing and dismissing the executive director and the external auditor, the Board of Trustees ensures strategic, engaged, and expert oversight. The size of the Board of Trustees is determined in such a way that the board can fulfill its duties effectively and responsibly, with the board consisting of a minimum of three and a maximum of nine members. One of the members serves as chair.

Composition of the Supervisory Board

The composition of the Supervisory Board reflects, as much as possible, the communities in the European Netherlands and the places with which the Netherlands shares a history of slavery. The board also strives for appropriate diversity in terms of expertise, experience, competencies, personal qualities, sex or gender identity, age, nationality, and (cultural) background. This diversity is essential to doing justice to the NSM’s mission and to strengthening broad public support. Board members do not receive remuneration for their position, but their involvement is recognized as an important contribution to society.

The following areas of expertise must be represented on the Board of Trustees:

• Expertise in the areas of governance, corporate governance culture, and oversight;
• Business and financial expertise;
• Experience with HR issues and organizational development;
• Scientific expertise in the field of the history of slavery;
• A strong network of engaged grassroots organizations in the European Netherlands, the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, Suriname, the Indian Ocean region, the Indonesian archipelago, South Africa, and all other countries with which the Netherlands shares a history of slavery;
• Museum experience and expertise;
• Knowledge of the funding landscape within the cultural sector;
• Experience working with municipal and/or national government agencies and government agencies in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom;
• Knowledge of (digital) communication methods and strategies;
• A network in the social and political sectors and a network in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom and Suriname.

The attachment below contains the general profile outlining the required qualifications for all members of the Supervisory Board.

We are seeking a unifying chairperson and two members for the Board of Trustees of this unique museum: one member with a business background and one member with an academic background.

The National Slavery Museum Foundation will be established in the first quarter of 2025. In addition to recruiting an executive director, we are seeking members for the Board of Trustees. Initially, we are looking for a chairperson and two members.

Profile of the Chair of the Supervisory Board

The chairperson plays a coordinating and unifying role within the Board of Trustees. In addition, the chairperson serves as an important sounding board for the executive director. In addition to the general qualities expected of all Board of Trustees members, the chairperson possesses:

• Excellent leadership skills and experience in leading meetings and decision-making processes, as well as in team building and boardroom dynamics.
• The ability to foster a culture of integrity, inclusivity, and social safety within the Board of Trustees, in which all members feel heard and valued.
• A keen eye for governance and the culture of the governance code, as well as extensive experience in oversight.
• Experience with being an employer and the role of the compensation committee.
• The availability and flexibility to fulfill the role in a hands-on manner, including representing the Board of Trustees to the outside world.
• A well-established network within relevant social, cultural, and political spheres.

The chair plays a key role in steering the organization’s strategic direction and in collaborating with the CEO. In addition, the chair oversees the annual evaluation of the Board of Trustees and serves as the figurehead of the oversight process.

Member with a business administration background (chair of the audit committee)

This member brings in-depth knowledge and experience in the areas of finance, risk management, and organizational development. Specific qualities include:

• Expertise in financial policy, budget management, and sustainable business operations gained through a strategic executive role (CFO). You know how to align strategic direction with available resources.
• Expertise in risk management and internal control.
• Experience analyzing and evaluating financial statements, financial reports, and auditors’ reports.
• An understanding of how foundations, fundraising organizations, and (semi-)public organizations operate.
• Experience working with external auditors and internal audit functions.

This member plays a key role on the Audit Committee and oversees efforts to strengthen the NSM’s financial and organizational foundation. The member supports the Board of Trustees and the Executive Director on matters related to the budget, financial statements, and financial accountability. In addition, this member provides strategic advice on risk management and serves as the Board of Trustees’ point of contact for the external auditor.

Member with a research-oriented profile

This member is a subject matter expert on the NSM and has a strong network within the relevant communities. Specific qualities include:

• Scientific expertise and knowledge of the history of slavery and its social impact.
• A broad network of grassroots organizations, heritage communities, and academic circles.
• The ability to represent diverse perspectives and help build broad support for the museum.
• An understanding of the museum’s social and historical context and a vision for engaging with the public.

This member plays a key role on the Quality Committee, oversees the NSM’s core mission, and ensures that the museum makes a meaningful contribution to education and awareness in society.

What we offer

A unique opportunity to play a crucial role in establishing an institution with significant social and cultural impact that contributes to an inclusive society. The appointment is for a term of 4 years, with the intention of extending it—by mutual agreement—for a second term of 4 years.

Procedure

The National Slavery Museum is being represented in these proceedings by Melek Usta and René Burgler of Colourful People.

For more information, please contact us by scheduling a call yourself via"Schedule a Call with Melek Usta | Colourful People: National Slavery Museum" or with René Burgler via"Schedule a Call with René Burgler | Colourful People: 10-Minute Call."

Are you interested? Please submit your cover letter and resume via the Colourful People website.The deadline for applicationsis January 8, 2025. Interviews with the Advisory Board will take place onFebruary 3 and 5, 2025, until 9:30 p.m.

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APPENDIX: GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD

• Board members contribute critically and independently to the decision-making process within the board, while ensuring that the organization’s social objectives and continuity are upheld. They have no conflicts of interest or undesirable conflicts of interest in this regard.
• They have experience with supervisory duties and knowledge of governance, preferably in the cultural sector.
• Board members have a broad perspective, a deep understanding of social dynamics, and access to a relevant network.
• They have the capacity—including in terms of available time—to adequately monitor the board’s policies and the general state of affairs within the NSM and to provide the board with advice, even in complex situations such as inappropriate behavior, discrimination, or racism.
• Board members actively participate in meetings and prepare thoroughly.
• They are willing to participate in orientation, education, or training programs and are open to ongoing professional development.
• In the absence of the board, they may take measures to ensure the leadership of the NSM.