Stichting International Alert is currently looking for dedicated individuals to join its expanding Board of Directors in order to enable the organisation to further benefit from a variety of experience & expertise as it enters a new phase of operations.
Stichting International Alert (hereafter “Alert Europe”) serves as the European headquarters of International Alert – one of the world’s oldest and largest peacebuilding organizations. Established in 2017 as a “stichting” (foundation) in The Hague – the ‘City of Peace & Justice’ – Alert Europe appointed its first Executive Director, Kirsten Meersschaert, in 2021 and now has 8 staff members.
Alert Europe was set up to enable more strategic and systematic engagement with European governments and institutions, including the European Union, in support of the goal of building sustainable and inclusive peace. Alert Europe works with European policy-makers, institutions, funders and civil society in strategic partnership to influence policy and practice in order to better address the root causes of conflict, reduce violence and build sustainable peace. Alert Europe also acts as the interface between Alert’s global family and the European peacebuilding community, monitoring emerging issues and collaborating with key partners to increase engagement and support for conflict sensitivity, conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Alert Europe works in close and direct synchronicity with International Alert UK.
The Alert Europe Board (“Bestuur”) currently consists of three members, including the Chair of the Board, Emine Bozkurt. Alert Europe is seeking to reinforce the composition of its existing board by inviting 1 to 2 individuals with expertise and experience in political affairs and/or fundraising, and an excellent network, within the Dutch national context, other European national contexts, and/or the European Union.
The Board of Alert Europe has overall responsibility of ensuring that the organisation – under the direction of its Executive Director – operates within and in respect of the legal and financial framework as a foundation registered in the Netherlands. As a member of the Alert Europe Board, you would help to ensure compliance and due diligence of Alert Europe’s operations, including as regards GDEI and safeguarding. Knowledge of, and experience in, organisational management – with non-governmental organisations in particular – would therefore be a desirable skillset among prospective new Board members.
Alert Europe Board members will also help inform the future direction of Alert Europe as it continues to expand its presence in the Netherlands, boosts its visibility across Europe, and seeks to establish a dedicated portfolio of action for paving the way towards a new era of peacebuilding. Alert Europe Board members should be prepared to contribute to these strategic reflections, to champion the work of Alert Europe and International Alert as a whole with influential European networks, and to contribute to the collaborative relationship between Alert Europe and Alert UK.
The Alert Europe Board’s discussions and decisions also inform and contribute to the work of the global Board of Trustees of International Alert UK. Alert Europe works in very close cooperation with the global family of International Alert, including the UK headquarters and country offices. The Board of Alert Europe is similarly connected to the global Board of Trustees of International Alert UK, with the Chair of the Board of Alert Europe serving as a member of the global Board of Trustees of International Alert UK.
The Alert Europe Board meets at least twice a year, but no more than four times a year. Board meetings are held virtually, unless otherwise indicated. Board members are not remunerated, however expenses related to in-person attendance of Board meetings, where applicable, can be reimbursed.
Expressions of interest are encouraged from candidates with significant experience and expertise in the Dutch or European/EU political arena. Expertise in policy-influencing and fundraising is particularly welcome.
How to apply
Please submit your application (CV and letter of motivation) to AlertEuropeHQ@international-alert.org. The deadline for all applications is the 28th of October, 2022.
Alert Europe particularly welcomes applications from underrepresented people including women, people from the Global South, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled people, and other historically marginalized people.
While Alert Europe will endeavour to contact all candidates within a reasonable time, this may not always be possible due to limited resources. Therefore, if you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, you can assume that your application has, on this occasion, been unsuccessful.