About Relief International

 

Relief International is an alliance of European, UK and US not-for-profit organizations with a shared mission to partner with communities impacted by conflict, climate change and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience, and promote long-term health and well-being.  Relief International is comprised of MRCA/Relief InternationalFrance (a French not-for-profit association loi 1901), Relief International-Europe (a Belgian international non-profit association), Relief International-UK (a registered charity in England & Wales), and Relief International, Inc. (a US 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit corporation).    

 

The governing bodies (referred to herein as “boards”) of the Relief International alliance provide guidance, oversight and direction to our strategy and leadership initiatives. They act as leaders, advisors and key decision makers, who help shape our mission, values, and strategies to meet the complex needs of the communities we serve. Members and Directors actively participate in and drive the development of strategies, setting measurable goals that are technically and financially sound.

 

It is expected that new boards members will be appointed as: (a) members of MRCA/Relief International-France, (b) members of Relief International-Europe, (c) trustees of Relief International-UK and (d) directors of Relief International, Inc. 

 

As Relief International sharpens its strategy, builds important new sources of unrestricted funds to buttress our work, and continues to grow its support from government, institutional and corporate donors in Europe and other countries outside of the US, we believe this is the right time to increase the geographic diversity of our governance and identify new members and directors from Europe and other presently underrepresented countries and regions.   

 

This is an exciting time to join Relief International. The boards have recently appointed a new CEO and are actively engaged in an organization-wide strategic enhancement process that breathes new life, fresh thinking, and original ideas into how they achieve their mission. New boards members will play an important role in translating this newly sharpened strategy into action for excellence in fragile settings globally. New boards members will be joining a team of purpose- and values-driven leaders with unique and inspiring connections to RI’s mission, both personally and professionally.

 

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about Relief International’s mission and embraces its values. We are looking for thought leaders who will bring networks and relationships that can help facilitate partnerships and collaborations, as well as curiosity to continue pushing innovation, growth, and excellence.

 

Working in 15 countries to respond to natural disasters and humanitarian crises, Relief International specializes in operating in communities severely impacted by conflict, climate change and disaster, including Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Myanmar, Pakistan, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Türkiye, and Yemen. Relief International combines humanitarian and development approaches to provide services immediately while laying the groundwork for long-term impact and resilience. Relief International focuses on health/nutrition, education, economic opportunity, and water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) programming while integrating protection, and other measures to mitigate the impact of climate change and conflict in partnership with the communities served. Communities are empowered to find, design and implement the solutions that work best for them.

 

Relief International works where communities are especially hard to reach, where access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, education and healthcare has been disrupted due to conflict, natural disasters or other largescale emergencies, championing forgotten crises, especially those driven by climate change and conflict. In 2022, Relief International provided vital services to four of the top five countries that make up the world’s refugee population. Relief International’s focus and reputation as fragility experts have never been more urgent and vital. Its commitment to community-led change has ensured that currently the total approximately 8200 staff and auxiliary workers employed by Relief International are 98% local nationals drawn from the communities served.

 

The Role of Boards Members

 

Relief International welcomes committed and interested parties of diverse backgrounds to lend their time, networks, expertise and networks by:

 

¡ Contributing substantially to an organization that is reinvigorated for impact in fragile settings globally.

 

¡ Connecting their professional expertise to Relief International’s work internationally.

 

¡ Bringing big ideas and enthusiasm to a new leadership team with a strong vision.

 

¡ Demonstrating interest in and, where applicable, applying direct experience with the communities Relief International serves globally.

 

¡ Bringing applicable expertise and subject matter expertise (see below).

 

 

Duties & Responsibilities

 

 

The new members will provide leadership, governance and oversight by:

 

¡ Serving as a trusted advisor to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) as Relief International’s strategic plan is developed and implemented.

 

¡ Reviewing outcomes and metrics created by Relief International for evaluating its impact, and regularly measuring its performance and effectiveness using those metrics.

 

¡ Reviewing agenda and supporting materials prior to boards and committee meetings.

 

¡ Approving Relief International’s annual budgets, audit reports, and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting, all legal and fiduciary responsibilities as applicable to the separate legal entities that comprise Relief International.

 

¡ Contributing to an annual performance evaluation of the CEO//Director General.

 

¡ Serving on committees or task forces.

 

¡ Representing Relief International to stakeholders; acting as an ambassador for the organization.

 

 

Advocacy

 

Members of the boards will serve as advocates and ambassadors for the organization.   

 

 

Boards terms/participation

 

Relief International boards members will serve a three-year term to be eligible for re-appointment for two additional three-year terms. Boards meetings are held quarterly, and committee meetings are held in coordination with full boards meetings. Meetings take place virtually, with one annual in-person boards retreat. The time commitment averages around eight hours per month, including time to review and digest materials shared in advance of meetings.

 

 

The Candidates

 

Selected boards members will either bring lived experience of the contexts and/or communities in which Relief International works; be an accomplished leader in business, government, philanthropy or the nonprofit sector; or a have a proven track record as a thought leader in their field of expertise. Previous boards experience is welcomed but not essential – energy, commitment and ideas are far more important. Subject matter expertise in the following areas is of particular interest, particularly in the context of the European Union (EU) or member states of the EU:

 

¡ Public Relations and Media

 

¡ Human Resources

 

¡ Security

 

¡ Humanitarian Relief and International Development

 

¡ Technical expertise of medical, public health, and/or water and sanitation engineering in the global south

 

¡ Technology, digitization, privacy and cybersecurity

 

¡ Strategic Planning

 

 

 

Motivation and Personality

 

The culture of Relief International and thus its board is very collaborative.  Character traits that complement the board are:

 

¡ The desire to tangibly support RI’s mission and demonstrate impact.

 

¡ The drive to ensure good governance.

 

¡ A balance of confidence and humility.

 

¡ A healthy sense of humor

  

 

 

What’s in it for you?

You will be working with an exceptional charity which is on the forefront of addressing one of the most urgent issues of our time - finding solutions for vulnerable communities and people impacted by conflict, climate change and disaster. You could also develop valuable skills, knowledge, experience and networks within the international humanitarian aid and development sectors working alongside a committed team of members, directors and trustees, all striving to grow Relief

International’s global reach and effectiveness.