Members of the Supervisory Board – CARE Nederland

Are you interested in joining our Supervisory Board and supporting our Leadership Team in realising CARE Nederland’s ambitions and strategic goals? Then we are looking for you!

About CARE Nederland

CARE Nederland is part of CARE International (CI), one of the world’s largest humanitarian and development organisations that’s active in over 120 countries. Our mission is to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice, with a special focus on women and girls. In fiscal year 2024-2025, we reached 6,333,235 people worldwide and received approximately € 60 million in funding. CARE Nederland is headquartered in The Hague and employs approximately 60 staff. Funding comes from both private fundraising and institutional donors, including the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Commission. Within the CARE confederation, CARE Nederland is represented on the CI Supervisory Board by the chair of the Supervisory Board of CARE Nederland.

History

CARE was founded shortly after World War II in the United States by 22 American relief organisations, initially distributing emergency aid packages to war victims in Europe. Over time, CARE shifted focus to developing countries, fighting poverty and promoting a dignified existence. Today, CARE International is a confederation operating through country offices in the Global South. In the Netherlands, the need to bridge emergency relief and structural aid led to the founding of the Disaster Relief Agency (DRA) in 1993, which became CARE Nederland in its current form in 2001.

Governance and Management

CARE Nederland is led by a CEO and senior management team. Following the previous CEO’s move to a role at CARE International, Inge Kauer started as CEO of CARE Nederland per 1 January 2026. The Supervisory Board advises and oversees the CEO. The Supervisory Board has an Audit Committee, a Remuneration Committee, and a Projects Committee.

Current Composition of the Supervisory Board (and Committee Roles)

• Fleur de Nijs — Chair; Remuneration Committee — leaving due to statutory rotation.
• Wietze Smid — Vice-Chair; Remuneration Committee — leaving due to statutory rotation.
• Pauline Derkman — Member; Audit Committee.
• Geerte Hesen — Member; Audit Committee.
• Kwasi Boahene — Member; Projects Committee.
• Arjan Hehenkamp — Member; Projects Committee.

Vacancy for Supervisory Board Chair, and subcommittee vacancies

With the two departures, the role of Chair of the Supervisory Board will become available. In addition, there will be a vacancy in the Remuneration Committee. We are particularly interested in candidates who are willing and able to take up the role as Chair of the Supervisory Board and/or participate in the Remuneration committee.

What we expect from Supervisory Board Members

The tasks of the members of the Supervisory Board can be broadly described as follows:

• Supervising the realisation of the foundation’s objectives, the general financial situation and risk management, as well as the internal and external functioning of the CEO.
• Supervising the realisation of the ambitions and strategic goals as set out in the Strategic Plan 2022–2026 (and beyond), and the alignment between the annual plan cycle and the Strategic Plan.
• Fulfilling the role of employer regarding the CEO, advising the CEO in the performance of his/her role, and thinking along constructively without losing sight of the CEO’s independent position and administrative responsibility.
• Acting as a sounding board for the CEO and Leadership Team on organisational development, partnerships, advocacy, and impact realisation.
• Approving decisions to adopt the budget, annual accounts and annual report, as well as strategic and operational plans.
• Representing and positioning CARE Nederland within relevant organisations and networks in a national and international context.
• As a member of an international confederation, assess impact and pursue oversight regarding developments of the CARE International confederation, including policies, governance and funding changes.

Profile 1: Development Aid & Foreign and Public Affairs

• Demonstrated expertise in international development cooperation, humanitarian aid, or foreign affairs.
• A strong network in the Netherlands and internationally, especially across government, donors, NGOs and policy stakeholders.
• Strategic insight into the Dutch and global development landscape.
• Affinity with CARE Nederland’s mission and values.
• Experience as a board member or supervisor in complex, international or political environments is an advantage.

Profile 2: Digital & Marketing

• Proven background or strong affinity with digital transformation, online communication, and/or marketing.
• Experience with digital innovation, branding, and fundraising in the non-profit or commercial sector.
• Ability to advise on strengthening CARE Nederland’s visibility, digital presence, and fundraising strategies.
• A relevant network in the Netherlands and/or internationally.
• Experience as a board member or supervisor is an advantage.

Chair of the Supervisory Board

The Chair leads the Supervisory Board in his/her role as a critical and supportive partner to the CEO and senior management, monitors organisational integrity and long term value, and represents CARE within the broader CARE International confederation. More specifically, the Chair of the Supervisory Board will:

• Lead and facilitate Supervisory Board meetings and promote constructive, open dialogue.
• Serve as primary counterpart and advisor to the CEO, providing support, challenge, and oversight.
• Oversee CEO appointment, evaluation, and succession planning.
• Safeguard integrity, transparency, compliance, and good governance.
• Guide the Supervisory Board’s focus on long term strategy, mission achievement, and organisational continuity.
• Represent CARE Nederland externally when appropriate and act as a key link to CARE International.
• Promote continuous improvement through annual board self evaluations and ensure a strong, diverse board composition.

General Requirements

What do you bring to the table?

• Ability – including available time – to monitor and stimulate the policy of the CEO and the general course of affairs, and to assist the CEO with advice in preparing and implementing policy.
• Ability to operate independently and critically in relation to other members and the CEO.
• No conflicting interests with those of CARE Nederland.
• An academic working and thinking level.
• Experience as a supervisor in a Supervisory Board or Board of Directors, and as Chair of the Supervisory Board, preferably experience in Chair leadership.
• General managerial qualities and experience in internationally oriented (public/private) organisations.
• Great affinity with the objectives of CARE Nederland.
• The right balance between involvement with CARE Nederland and administrative distance.
• Ability to assess policy and the performance of the CEO.
• Integrity, a sense of responsibility, and an independent attitude.
• Insight into the requirements that quality, efficiency and continuity place on an organisation such as CARE Nederland.
• Ability to form an opinion on matters submitted by the CEO.
• Proficiency in Dutch and English.

CARE maintains a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse and takes all concerns and complaints involving CARE staff and related personnel seriously.

Diversity

CARE Nederland strives for diversity in skills, backgrounds, perspectives, gender, and age within the Supervisory Board.

Term of Appointment

The duration of the appointment for members of the Supervisory Board is four years, with the possibility of reappointment.

Time dedication

The Supervisory Board and Committees meet approximately 4-5 times a year. The Chair of the Supervisory Board in addition has regular interaction with the CARE Nederland CEO, may represent CARE Nederland at certain partner events, attends meetings with the CARE Nederland Works Council (2 times a year), and attends CARE International assemblies (2 times a year).

Remuneration

The role is unremunerated. Reasonable travel and accommodation expenses will be reimbursed.

Application

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application (motivation letter and CV) in English or Dutch by 6 February 2026 and if you have any questions please reach out to Cindy Gaal, Executive Assistant on (gaal@carenederland.org)

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.