Chair of the Supervisory Board

About MeerWaarde

MeerWaarde is a social services organization in Haarlemmermeer that aims to prevent people from having to rely on more intensive or long-term assistance. MeerWaarde helps people develop and strengthen their own resilience. At the same time, it encourages people to get involved in the community and facilitates initiatives to that end. In this way, MeerWaarde contributes to a social environment that provides support to people who need it (for a while). 

In MeerWaarde’s vision, the resident takes center stage. This is a resident who is capable of contributing to their own well-being within the social environment in which they are active, and who can also draw support from that environment. By connecting, engaging, and encouraging residents, MeerWaarde empowers them to increase their self-reliance and mutual support. MeerWaarde strengthens social networks by encouraging residents to be socially active. MeerWaarde collaborates intensively within the local social sector. 

MeerWaarde is active in a wide range of social work fields: child welfare, youth work, elder care, (youth) social work, neighborhood mediation, social counseling, social brokerage, volunteer coordination, and corporate social responsibility. The organization has about 100 staff members and approximately 350 volunteers. 

MeerWaarde’s core values are commitment, reliability, curiosity, accessibility, courage, and professionalism. Its budget is just under €7 million. MeerWaarde operates under a Supervisory Board model. The organization is led by an executive director who bears ultimate statutory responsibility and reports to the Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board has five members. As of January 1, 2025, a vacancy will arise on the Supervisory Board due to the expiration of the chairperson’s term of office. 

About the Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board oversees the CEO in line with recent developments in corporate governance. The board also acts as the CEO’s employer, reviews decision-making, and provides both solicited and unsolicited advice to the CEO. The board serves as a sounding board and, if required by the articles of incorporation, approves decisions. Both internally and externally, the board fulfills an ambassadorial role, providing accountability to the outside world. A good board can adapt and strike a balance between distance and proximity, oversight and sounding boards, personal involvement and administrative detachment, and can combine firmness with accessibility. The chair of this supervisory board receives a compensation of €5,500 per year (members €4,000 per year). 

The board meets 5 to 6 times a year. In addition, the audit, compensation, and quality committees are active. A good board consists of members who complement one another, both in terms of expertise and style; they interact with one another in a constructively critical manner and are eager to contribute collectively. 

The Supervisory Board’s core values are aligned with the organization’s core values and with the board’s responsibilities and authorities:

• Committed to MeerWaarde’s social mission
• Accessible, Visible, and Approachable
• Independent: The Supervisory Board maintains its independence and remains impartial toward all parties
• Trust: The Supervisory Board acts on the basis of trust in the organization’s management and governance
• Collegial: The Supervisory Board as a whole is responsible for fulfilling its supervisory roles. Decisions are made collectively and may be prepared by committees (such as the Compensation Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Quality Committee).
• Transparent: The Supervisory Board is transparent in its words, writing, and actions 

The areas subject to the Board of Trustees’ oversight include:

• Development, implementation, and evaluation of the strategy
• Organizational Performance
• Work environment and the quality of representative consultation
• Performance of the director
• Key external developments
• Relationships with key stakeholders and external reputation
• Duties prescribed by the articles of incorporation 

The chairperson's profile includes:

• A clear vision of supervision, an awareness of one’s role, and the ability to reflect on one’s own actions as a supervisor.
• Inclusive leadership that enables the Board of Trustees to function as a cohesive team in which all members contribute equally.
• Extensive knowledge of—and an affinity for—the social and/or healthcare sector, and the ability to speak authoritatively on these topics.
• A relevant network and a willingness to utilize it;
• Sufficient availability to effectively fulfill the role of chair. 

Required skills and competencies:

• Demonstrable experience in leadership roles at nonprofit organizations, preferably in the fields of healthcare or social services.
• A thorough understanding of governance principles, ethical standards, and regulations applicable to nonprofit organizations.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to understand complex issues and identify appropriate strategies.
• A proactive and results-oriented approach, with a strong focus on creating a positive impact and added value for the community.
• Integrity, ethical leadership, and a strong commitment to MeerWaarde’s mission and values.
• Relevant supervisory experience and the ability to apply that experience in the role of board chair. In addition, a certain degree of “firmness” is desirable in the chair.
• Familiarity with MeerWaarde’s area of operation is a plus. 

Interested?

MeerWaarde is working with the executive search firm Colourful People to fill this position. For more information about the role or the application process, please contact Jantien Plooij, a partner at Colourful People (06-17703534 or j.plooij@colourfulpeople.nl).

You can express your interest by uploading a cover letter and resume (in PDF format) by August 19, 2024, via the application button. Once your application has been successfully uploaded, you will receive a confirmation email. Didn’t receive it? Please contact Jantien Plooij. Confidential treatment of your information is, of course, guaranteed. 

Schedule

The interviews will be held on October 3 at the MeerWaarde office in Hoofddorp. The new chairperson is scheduled to take office on January 1, 2025. 

Recruitment agencies are asked to refrain from contacting us regarding this job opening.