Call for Board Members

Opportunity closing date:
Sunday, 15 March 2021

Stichting Female Journalists Network (SFJN) is a non-profit association, registered in The Netherlands since 2013. It was established by a group of women journalists thriving to dismantle gender inequalities in media. At SFJN, we envision a society that:

  • Inspires individuals to partake in change.
  • Strives to improve individual wellbeing and raise the standards of living.
  • Is equally inclusive of all people with a specific focus on the non-exclusion of individuals based on their gender identity and/or sexual orientation.
  • Provides opportunities to all people justly, regardless of their identity, age, educational attainments, class, gender, sexuality, different physical and mental abilities, ethnicity, migration and citizenship status, faith and belief.

With a strong belief in equal rights and representation, SFJN primarily uses media to raise awareness and institutionalize practices that further enhance the sustainability of positive social change towards gender justice. Furthermore, SFJN is among a limited number of (Syrian) feminist organizations that have maintained its work on women and non-normative individuals rights’. Positive change has been achieved by focusing on the media sector, advocating for the safety of journalists, increasing coverage and representation of women in the media, and heightening women in leadership positions.

In such efforts, an urgent matter for the foundation is to create strong feminist governance structures that will lead to growth and positive change. Therefore, SFJN is recruiting members of civil society, media institutions, and feminist organizations or groups, to serve on SFJN’s Board accompanied by the foundation’s co-founders.

SFJN is looking for candidates with a range of skills and experience. These are listed below:

General

  • A good understanding of NGOs and how they operate
  • Passionate and committed to social justice, gender equality & equate
  • Willingness to represent and promote SFJN
  • Eager to contribute and improve media discourse from an intersectional feminist perspective
  • Willingness to fulfil the fiduciary duties and uphold ethical standards of conduct as required from a board member of a registered non-profit organization
  • Availability to attend quarterly meetings and on occasions to be called upon to sign funding contracts on behalf of the organization and participate in big events and fundraising activities (other expectations are noted below)

Skills (in at least three of the areas listed below)

  • Ability to understand and interrogate financial reports
  • Strategic planning skills
  • Risk management skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Ability to network and advocate on behalf of the organization
  • English and Arabic speaking
  • Ability to operate as a team

 

Experience (in at least one of the areas listed below)

  • Board experience
  • Experience in financial management
  • General knowledge of Dutch non-profit sector legislation
  • Fundraising (e.g. from INGOs, individuals, businesses, corporate companies and/or other)
  • Media, communications or PR (including social media)
  • Understanding of Human Resources management

Board members are expected to:

  • Attend four board meetings a year and an annual general meeting. Board meetings are generally held remotely or/and at SFJN head office in Arnhem, The Netherlands.
  • Participate in the foundation’s strategic review and planning sessions which happen every three to five years
  • Assist in fundraising for the foundation
  • Participate in sub-committees and guide the foundation towards better heights
  • Be able to give a reasonable amount of time, attention and commitment to the foundation
  • Commit 4 -6 hours per month
  • Be responsive to emails and other communication

*Please note that serving on the Board is completely voluntary, meaning that there is no remuneration or financial compensation.

For further information please contact Afef Abrougui (Member of the Board) via abrouguigv@gmail.com, alternatively contact Rula Asad (Executive Director) via r.asad@sfjn.org

Please send your application to the following email address: jobs@sfjn.org with the subject line ‘Call for Board Members’ by March 15, 2021, with the following:
– A letter of motivation that includes why you are interested in this position at this point in your career and how you will maintain a positive, feminist, values-based organizational culture.
– CV
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please review qualifications and competencies carefully; unqualified candidates will not be shortlisted.