Chair of the Supervisory Board

This is an exciting and strategic time to join Child Helpline International (CHI) as it implements its multi-annual strategic plan (2025-2030). Global events continue to highlight the crucial role child helplines play in child protection systems. In particular, CHI’s data has shown that children and young people are increasingly turning to child helplines when they face mental health issues.

As a global network, CHI continually strives to enhance the quality of response to children and young people in need of protection, support and guidance, and to advocate for their rights. We are committed to ensuring that the voices of children and young people are heard, that their rights are fulfilled, and that they are protected from violence and other harm.

Position

As trusted advisor to CHI’s Executive Director and Management Board, and presiding over CHI’s Supervisory Board, the Chair will provide leadership to CHI as it commences its new strategic period (2025-2030).

The Chair of the Supervisory Board will support and sustain the work of CHI and provide governance, leadership, oversight and strategic fundraising support. They will preside over the Supervisory Board, which consists of appointed members with functional roles, including a Vice Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary. It also includes five Regional Representatives, who are individuals from CHI members selected by their peers in each of the geographic regions in which CHI works. A Supervisory Committee is a sub-section of the Supervisory Board which engages more regularly with CHI’s Management Board, with the Chair of the Supervisory Board acting as the main contact in this respect.

Specific responsibilities include:

Leadership, governance, and oversight 

• Being a trusted advisor to the Executive Director and the Management Board of CHI as they develop and implement CHI’s annual plan(s) and multi-annual strategic plan(s).
• Acting as an ambassador for the organization; the Chair of the Supervisory Board promotes CHI through making use of personal and external networks to advocate for our members and raise awareness about their critical role in giving children and young people a voice in all matters concerning them.
• Representing CHI at events relevant to the work of child helplines, speaking knowledgeably about CHI’s activities and programmes, and maintaining and advancing its position in the fields of children’s rights and child protection.
• Reviewing outcomes and metrics created by CHI for evaluating its impact and holding the Management Board accountable for regularly measuring its performance and effectiveness using those metrics. 
• Coordinating an annual performance evaluation of the Executive Director. 
• Periodically consulting with Supervisory Board members on their roles and helping them assess their performance.
• Planning, presiding over, and facilitating Supervisory Board and Supervisory Committee meetings; the General Assembly of Child Helplines (held every three years); the International Consultation of Child Helplines (held every three years); and as required other Regional Consultations and strategic planning meetings.
• Partnering with the Executive Director and Management Board to ensure that Supervisory Board resolutions are carried out.
• As a Supervisory Board member, approving CHI’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities. 
• Ensuring CHI’s commitment to a diverse Supervisory Board and staff reflecting the communities that CHI serves.
• Adhering to the Integrity Framework and Do No Harm Principles: the Chair is responsible for upholding and championing the organization’s Integrity Framework and Do No Harm principles. This includes actively promoting strong awareness, adherence, and respect for all relevant ethical guidelines and policies among staff and partners.

Fundraising 

• In collaboration with CHI’s Management Board, contributing towards efforts to generate substantial annual revenue and fostering CHI’s overall financial health. 
• Identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major individual donors, corporate and/or foundation gifts.

Board Terms of Service

The Chair of the Supervisory Board will serve a three-year term, eligible for re-appointment for an additional term (thus, six years maximum). Supervisory Board meetings will be held half-yearly and Supervisory Committee meetings will be held quarterly.

Qualifications

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about the vision, mission and objectives of CHI, its members and their beneficiaries, and who has a track record as successful member of different Boards. The Chair of the Supervisory Board will have achieved leadership stature in business, government, philanthropy, or the non-profit sector, and preferably through active involvement in the fields of child rights and child protection. Their accomplishments will allow them to attract other well-qualified, high-performing board members.

Ideal candidates will have the following profile and expertise:

• Extensive professional experiences with significant executive leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy or the non-profit sector.
• A commitment to and demonstrable understanding of CHI’s vision, mission and objectives, preferably through active involvement in establishing and/or running a national child helpline, and/or active involvement in another child rights or child protection service or organization. 
• Active involvement in, and personal recognition for, the promotion of respect for and implementation of the rights of children at national, regional and/or international level.
• Excellent diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals and organizations. 
• A broad network at their disposal and the willingness to make use of this network to the advantage of CHI and its members.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills coupled with an affinity for public speaking. 
• Demonstrated success as a non-profit Board Member or Chair. 
• Track record of building credibility in the funding community that has resulted in major gifts to a non-profit. 
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, inclusive approach and a passion for improving the lives of CHI’s members and their beneficiaries.
• Committed to safeguarding children and youth and not tolerate any form of abuse.

Service on CHI’s Supervisory Board is without remuneration, except for reasonable out-of pocket expenses, if applicable.

Timeline

• Closing date for applications: 31 October 2024
• Interviews: November 2024
• Reference check (we conduct references as part of the selection process in accordance with the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and a recent Criminal Records statement): December 2024
• The official appointment shall be on 1 January 2025

How to apply

To express your interest in this opportunity, please send your resume and a brief motivation letter (maximum 500 words) outlining why you wish to join Child Helpline International and how your experience and expertise align with the role to [email protected]

We especially encourage candidates from the Global South to apply, as we value diverse perspectives and experiences in our work.

At Child Helpline International we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment and equal opportunities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability or age.