Supervisory Board Members - Enviu

• Rotterdam, Netherlands

• 5-8 days per year (4 board meetings, 1 strategy day and ad hoc engagement), in person and on line

• Unremunerated but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed

Enviu is looking to appoint two new Supervisory Board members. Are you up for the challenge of changing the economy to take care of people and planet? Are you excited to work with entrepreneurs to build the next generation of companies? Do you want to make a difference with your financial, operational, and governance skills from an oversight and stewardship perspective?

About Enviu

Enviu is a non-profit venture-building studio on a mission to create a better world. Since 2004, we’ve been pioneering innovative, circular solutions that address global environmental and social challenges at their root. Today, with offices in India, Kenya, Indonesia and the Netherlands we have a portfolio of over 20 ventures tackling failures in the food, textiles and waste systems through a global team of  nearly 50 employees.  Together, we show that a better way of doing things is possible.

We believe in an economy that serves people and planet. And in the power of impact-driven entrepreneurship to get us there. Together with partners we start long-term issue-driven and entrepreneurial programs to disrupt and drive broken value chains and industries towards a “new normal.” Building on an ambitious overarching theory of change we determine what business interventions are needed along the value chain to create systems change. We validate new, sustainable business models by creating, replicating, or accelerating ventures. We use what’s already there and add what’s missing. 

The Enviu group is structured around 2 foundations. Stichting Enviu Netherlands, an ANBI which drives programmes and Stichting Enviu Group Foundation which manages ventures. Enviu has a joint Supervisory Board consisting of three to seven non-executive directors who are members of  the supervisory boards of both foundations.   Each foundation has a CEO who together with a joint CFOO form a common Managemnt Team across the whole of Enviu.

To learn more about us please see www.Enviu.org 

About the Board role

Non-executive Supervisory Board Members provide oversight and strategic guidance to Enviu – supervising and advising Enviu’s Management Team. Working closely with the Management Team,  they shape Enviu’s ultimate impact and strategy, ensure regulatory compliance and excercise the highest standards of governance and conduct through four critical areas of activity:

Mission, vision and strategic direction

• Safeguard mission and vision

• Advise, review and, where defined, approve strategic decisions impacting both programmatic and ventures activity

• Advise, review and approve key Enviu policy developments

Leadership, resources and governance

• Selection, evaluation, and supporting of the development of the Management Team

• Provide any expertise and access to networks that would be beneficial for the organization

• Evaluating and improving its own performance and impact

• Demonstrating ambassadorship for Enviu, helping to build its reputation externally

Organization Performance

• Oversee organization and financial performance Oversee financial planning

Risk, Control and compliance

• Oversee risk assessment and management

• Appointment of the external Auditor and monitoring of audit and auditor’s performance

• Support and challenge the Management Team in assurance that Enviu’s internal control environment is fit for purpose

• Approval of yearly financial statements

Terms of Service

Board members are appointed for one term of three years with the possibility of serving a second term. Board members on average can expect a time commitment of five hours a month. The Board schedule at present is to convene 5 times a year with some in person and some online.

Enviu is headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands and board meetings take place either in person or virtually. Given the international scope of its work, Enviu is open-minded to the location of candidates and would consider someone who could only participate remotely.

Enviu is a non-profit with a volunteer board. Board members are not financially remunerated for their service but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

Person specification

Enviu is seeking two new Supervisory Board Members bringing the following skills and experience:

1)      Financial and operational oversight specialist

The role will provide financial and operational oversight and ensure that effective and appropriate financial and operational measures, controls and procedures are in place. In practice this means:

First review of the budgets, internal management accounts, and annual financial statements to the Supervisory Board.

• Ensuring that robust and comprehensive financial policies and controls are in place

• Advising the board on the financial implications of the annual plans. Ensuring that the annual accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by relevant statutory bodies.

• Keeping the Non-Executive Board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities and liaising with the CFOO to develop the financial understanding of the Supervisory Board.

• Individuals with the following knowledge and expertise are encouraged to apply:

• A finance professional, ideally a qualified Chartered or Management Accountant. A knowledge of the rules for a Stichting (Dutch foundation) is an advantage.

• Proven record of financial leadership in business, government or non-profit sector, ideally a combination of two of these

2)      Philanthropy & partnerships leader

The role will provide oversight and guidance based on experience in philanthropy. In practice this means:

• Providing insights in developments in the philanthropy sector

• Monitoring and advising on the fundraising and partnership strategy of Enviu

• Advise on and connection to networks which would be beneficial for the organization

• Demonstrate ambassadorship for Enviu within the philanthropic sector

• Advise and review the strategic direction of Enviu's programmes

Individuals with the following knowledge and expertise are encouraged to apply:

• A leader in the impact sector, in philanthropy and/or non-profit organizations, with experience in working with family foundations and/or corporate foundations.

• Experience in the philanthropic networks in Europe, Africa, Asia, or the US.

For both roles, Enviu is additionally looking for:

• Critical thinkers with the ability to frame issues, solutions and decisions simply and clearly

• Clear communicators with the ability to simplify complex information and for non specialists.

• Creative and strategic thinkers who can exercise good, independent judgement, and work effectively as a board member.

• Supervisory board members who support and challenge senior professionals on the Management Team

• Previous non-executive experience would be an advantage but is not essential.