Member of the Supervisory Board

Organisatie

Edukans believes in a world where every child and young person learns with confidence, grows, and develops the skills needed to help build a just and sustainable society. The world is facing major challenges. The next generation is more important than ever in addressing them, and education remains the most powerful driver of change and progress. That is why we work on quality education in East Africa. We do this in partnership with teachers, educational institutions and governments. Together, we create and test solutions that work in practice and can be implemented at scale. We drive sustainable change by improving learning outcomes and strengthening education systems, enabling children and young people to develop the skills they need for both work and life.

We are seeking a member of the Supervisory Board who, over the coming year, will progress into the role of Chair and help guide our development from a traditional NGO into a modern education expertise organisation – locally rooted and globally connected.

Taken

Member of the Supervisory Board

With progression to Chair

We are building a values-driven and knowledge-led organisation in which locally independent entities increasingly take responsibility for developing and promoting our educational approach. We are looking for a Supervisory Board member who can help stimulate and deepen this transition, while further strengthening our growth as a global organisation and enhancing our international positioning.

The Supervisory Board works closely with local Boards and governance structures to ensure that Edukans remains firmly rooted in the regions where we operate while expanding its impact globally. The Supervisory Board is committed to diversity in gender, cultural background, age, experience and perspective.

As the term of office of our current Chair comes to an end in June 2027, an opportunity has arisen for a new Chair. The successful candidate will initially join the Supervisory Board as a member before assuming the Chair position.

As Chair, you will provide leadership to the Supervisory Board and foster an open, transparent and collaborative environment in which each member can contribute fully. You will also serve as a trusted sounding board to the Managing Director, listening attentively, providing constructive challenge and encouraging reflection without assuming executive responsibilities.

We are looking for a connecting and inspiring individual with a strong understanding of governance, strategy and social impact—someone who is motivated by supporting Edukans through a period of growth and transformation.

General Responsibilities and Powers of the Supervisory Board

• Providing overall supervision of the Managing Director’s policies and the general affairs of the organisation and its affiliated entities.
• Ensuring the effective functioning of the Managing Director.
• Approving strategic and other significant decisions made by the Managing Director.
• Acting as an adviser, sounding board and critical friend to the Managing Director.

The Supervisory Board meets five times per year. The Board has an Audit Committee, a Quality and Safeguarding Committee, and a Remuneration Committee (chaired by the Chair of the Supervisory Board). The Board conducts an annual evaluation of its own performance.

The Chair of the Supervisory Board meets with the Managing Director every three to four weeks and, together with another member of the Remuneration Committee, conducts the annual performance review of the Managing Director.

Functie-eisen en profiel

We are seeking a candidate who recognises themselves in the following profile:

• Experience within international non-profit organisations and an affinity with education.
• A strong connection to the mission of Edukans and the international education and development sector.
• A confident, independent and constructive sparring partner for the Managing Director.
• An active and relevant network, which can be leveraged to create opportunities, partnerships and visibility.
• The ability to interpret social, geopolitical and educational developments and translate them into strategic choices.
• A collaborative leader who fosters dialogue and cooperation in an accessible, respectful and inspiring manner.
• Experience of, or affinity with, international organisational development.
• Demonstrable experience as a Chair and/or Board member, preferably in an international context, with a strong understanding of good governance principles and relevant sector codes, including those of Goede Doelen Nederland and the CBF.
• Strategic insight, political sensitivity and sound independent judgement.
• Experience of leadership in culturally diverse organisations and the ability to address organisational culture and leadership dynamics while promoting inclusive and equitable collaboration.
• Alignment with the Edukans values of integrity, quality, inclusivity and collaboration.
• Willingness and ability to represent Edukans externally when required.
• Experience navigating complex international stakeholder environments, including partners, donors, governments and local communities.
• Preferably has roots in the regions where Edukans operates and is currently resident in the Netherlands.

Ons aanbod

What We Offer

• A Meaningful Role: A supervisory role in which you directly contribute to the development of an international education organisation with significant social impact.
• Contribution to a Major Transition: The opportunity to play a key role in Edukans’ transition towards becoming a global organisation, including the development of the regional hub in Kenya and collaboration with local Boards.
• Professional Collaboration: The chance to work alongside a committed and experienced Supervisory Board and a professional, internationally oriented team.
• An Inspiring Environment: An environment in which you contribute to the sustainable improvement of educational opportunities worldwide.

Informeren en solliciteren

Interested?

If you recognise yourself in this profile and believe you would be a strong fit, we would love to hear from you. Please send your CV and motivation letter (in English) to sollicitaties@edukans.nl, quoting ‘Member of the Supervisory Board’ in the subject line.

We aim to hold interviews in early September.

If you have any questions about Edukans, the role or the recruitment process, please email sollicitaties@edukans.nl, and we will be pleased to contact you.

Edukans expects all employees and representatives to act with integrity and to respect the rights and interests of others. Reference checks form part of the recruitment process. Upon appointment, you will be required to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) and sign our Code of Conduct.