Job description
Appointment of Independent Board Members
The WaterAid International Board is seeking two independent board members to help strengthen our global governance and help us facilitate urgent systemic change.
About WaterAid International:
WaterAid is a federation that shares a common mission to tackle the WASH crisis. To achieve this we have a shared vision, mission, values and strategy, working together under a common identity to maximise our impact. The federation is governed in adherence to four principles:
- Global interest – Achieving WaterAid’s mission as effectively as possible is fundamental to all we do and global interest is paramount.
- Subsidiarity – WaterAid international will only undertake activities that it can and will deliver more effectively than WaterAid member countries.
- One country, one WaterAid – WaterAid will only have one delivery organisation in each of the regions or countries where services are provided.
- Sustainability – The members of the WaterAid federation will be organisations that are, or are expected to become within a reasonable time-frame, self-sustaining and able to contribute significant resources to the delivery of WaterAid’s strategy.
WaterAid international is made up of an international Board and a small secretariat led by our Global Director, which supports the members by guiding our global strategy, agreeing global priorities, monitoring our global impact and supporting member development. The WaterAid international Secretariat draws on existing staff and resources of our member countries, to remain light touch and allow the organisation to focus on its mission.
Role description
Board members serve the WaterAid mission with their personal conviction and relevant career experience to achieve a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. To be a board member for WaterAid requires a genuine passion for our work, empathy with the organisation’s values and a truly international perspective. Board Members are all volunteers who give their time, energy, and expertise for free to help WaterAid change lives.
The board of WaterAid international includes the board Chairs of each member, plus an additional board member from WaterAid UK. In 2019, WaterAid international appointed its first independent board member, Maureen O’Neil, to become Chair. Ms. O’Neil’s “independence” (in other words, not also representing a member WaterAid) has added huge value.
The board have now agreed to invite two additional independent board members to join the board.
As mentioned, the board at this time would give preference to appointing new members who fulfil the following criteria:
- Executive and governance experience in one or more of these areas: innovative finance, development banks, foundations, complex international businesses, or WASH operations.
- Living in countries where WaterAid runs programmes, or countries with similar needs for clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene; and insight into how these countries change their policy and budget priorities.
- Contribution to creative, cross-sector collaborations.
- Understanding of how international organisations can best support localised decision-making and authority.
The primary responsibilities of independent board members are:
- Provide strategic leadership to the WaterAid federation, to enable the delivery by WaterAid’s members of our mission, in line with our values and our agreed strategy so that WaterAid’s overall impact is greater than the sum of its parts.
- Help monitor and evaluate the progress of the organisation against its strategic objectives.
- Maintain strong relationships and effective working across the Board to ensure WaterAid has a positive global identity, backed up by common standards to which all members operate.
Person specification:
- Commitment to WaterAid’s vision, mission and values and a way of working that demonstrates this. Relational intelligence and commitment to mutual accountability, maximising the benefits of a diverse board team, low-ego need, courage to challenge in constructive ways, and driving conviction to see WaterAid contribute its best to progress SDG 6.
- A strategic, global perspective. A good understanding of the social, economic and political contexts in which WaterAid works and willingness to further develop this understanding. A proven track record of leading large international organisations and enabling cross[1]sector partnerships.
- Ability to promote good governance practices, including understanding and promoting the value of diversity as part of good governance. A good understanding of non-exec and exec roles and able to lead the Board to strike the right balance between support and challenge.
- Ability to connect well with member representatives through active listening and gaining insight into their particular contextual challenges and opportunities.
- An excellent communicator. Sensitive to cultural differences in governance and able to build mutual trust. Not a grand-standing ego nor a wilting flower, able to discern when to speak and how to help others understand a key question or recommendation. Skilled at facilitating conversations that build consensus.
- A good understanding of the opportunities and challenges of working in complex governance structures, such as commercial group structures, networks, or global federations.
Time commitment
- The WaterAid international board currently meets four times a year – three times by videoconference, typically two-hour meetings, and one annual in-person meeting. The in[1]person board meeting usually takes place in June over 2-3 days in London, UK, including a half day board meeting; two half day seminars discussing areas of WaterAid’s global work and its impact, challenges and opportunities; one-to-ones for each board member with the Chair and a board dinner over one evening.
- WaterAid international board members are expected to participate in board working groups between board meetings as needed, and these usually meet virtually.
- The independent board members commit to full attendance at meetings. We will schedule meetings far in advance in consultation with you. Of course life happens and sometimes attendance isn’t possible, but these should be exceptional circumstances.
- Board members are expected to read, reflect, and prepare responses to board papers in advance of our meetings. Your tenure will also include the occasional visit to see and participate in WaterAid’s work.
- The role of a board member is unremunerated as under UK charity law board members cannot receive any direct or indirect benefit from their work with and for WaterAid international.
- Reasonable expenses incurred as a result of carrying out board member responsibilities may be reclaimed as legitimate expenses, in line with the agreed policy.
Term of office
The term of office will be for 4 years, with the possibility to extend to another 4 years.
Applications closing date: The application deadline is Monday, 8 April 2024.
How to apply:
Your application should include:
- A short letter outlining your motivation and relevant experience.
- A CV showing relevant executive and governance experience.
Please send your application to ewen.mcalpine@macaulaysearch.com
The applications will be reviewed by the WaterAid international Nominations Committee compromised of Chair Maureen O’Neil, Vice Chair Andrew Towle, Sumit Bose, and Dr. Mala Rao. Following this shortlisting process, there will be a three-step interview process
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