Board Directors

About INSO

Founded in 2011, the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) has rapidly evolved from an innovative start-up to a globally recognized charity. We play a central role in humanitarian safety coordination, supporting more than 1,200 local and international NGOs across the world’s most insecure regions. Our mission is to alleviate the suffering of those in need by supporting the safety of humanitarian workers who risk their lives to serve others.

INSO provides a range of free services, including real-time incident tracking, analytical reports, safety-related data and mapping, crisis management support, staff orientations, and training. We also work at the global policy level to strengthen the evidence base and improve interagency coordination for a more effective and resilient humanitarian system.

Our work goes beyond saving individual lives to enable humanitarian operations in high-risk countries.

The Role of Board Directors

As a registered Dutch public benefit organization (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling, ANBI) operating in more than twenty countries, INSO adheres to high standards of governance and accountability. Our Board Directors play a vital role in steering the organisation, ensuring its integrity, and advancing our mission.

Board Directors are unpaid volunteers who bring their professional expertise and dedication to support our cause. They are the guardians of INSO, safeguarding its personnel and assets, and making strategic decisions that advance our mission and objectives. Directors provide guidance and mentorship to our executive leadership, maintain the integrity and quality of our programming and ensure the maintenance of robust financial health, governance and risk management.

We have a minimum of three Directors at any time, who serve for a minimum period of three years, extendable once. The current directors will be retiring early in the new year (January 17th) due to the expiration of their second terms.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking up to four passionate and principled individuals to join our Board of Directors in January 2025. Applicants are welcome from anywhere in the world but business will be conducted on Central European Time (CET) and in the English language.

Applicants will ideally possess:

• A strong commitment to INSO’s mission: A deep belief in the importance of humanitarian work and the safety of those who carry it out.
• High ethical standards: A personal and professional dedication to honesty, fairness, responsibility, transparency, and accountability.
• Professional accomplishment: Significant expertise in a leadership role in a relevant sector, coupled with a high level of personal maturity, confidence, and self-awareness.
• Strategic thinking: The ability to see the bigger picture and make complex decisions between competing priorities.
• Collaborative spirit: A commitment to acting collectively in the best interests of INSO, avoiding conflicts of interest, and maintaining open and transparent communication.

We will be particularly keen to hear from individuals with experience and expertise in humanitarian programming and quality, the humanitarian safety and security sector, organisational development and management, financial management, fundraising and donor relations, legal and compliance, strategic HR, and leadership & culture.

Board meetings usually consist of reviewing management and financial reporting and engaging with senior management to stay up to date inform strategy development. There is also an opportunity to travel to INSO field sites at least once per year.

On an annual basis, the Board is required to review and approve the Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements, the organisational Risk Register, and the Reserves Policy. On a more punctual basis, the Board might be involved in authorizing the establishment of new country offices, delegating powers and responsibilities to executives, engaging with external regulators and self-administration such as appointing or removing board members.

Board members will need to be available for at least one in-person meeting per year (usually in the Hague, Netherlands with all costs covered) and up to 4 shorter ones (1hr) online and periodic professional advice to the CEO. The default minimum term of service is three years, which is extendable once for a total of six years.

The role is legally regulated in the Netherlands, and Directors will be subject to a criminal record background check and required to make basic eligibility disclosures regarding their personal and professional conduct and declare conflicts of interest.

Why Join Us?

Becoming a Board Member of INSO offers a unique opportunity apply your accumulated skills and experience to make a real difference in the world. You will be part of a dynamic and impactful organisation, contributing to the safety and success of humanitarian operations globally. You will help guide and inform the organisational leadership and play a key role in shaping the future impact of the organisation, helping those who help others.