Cordaid is an international organisation for development and humanitarian assistance, working especially in fragile and conflict-affected regions. Christian values of human dignity, justice, compassion, and care for the earth guide our work. Our mission is to work towards a world without poverty and with equitable opportunities for all.
More than 1.9 billion people live in these regions. Their quest is universal: to live in dignity. Cordaid addresses the root causes of fragility. We listen to people's needs and support locally-led programmes to strengthen and improve healthcare, education, agrifood and justice systems. Where disaster strikes, we join our partners in humanitarian action.
Cordaid is rooted in the Netherlands and has office branches in 15 countries in Africa and Asia with decades of in-country expertise. Approximately 1,000 employees dedicate themselves every day to fulfilling Cordaid's mission. We are also a member of international networks and alliances, such as Caritas Internationalis, ACT Alliance, and CIDSE.
Cordaid is looking for a
Board Secretary
(36 hours, based in The Hague)
The Board Secretary is an executive level leader responsible for providing high-level organisational and strategic support to the CEO, Board of Directors (BoD – 2 statutory directors), International Management Team (IMT - 5 members, including 2 statutory directors) and Supervisory Board. He/she is a key governance professional who offers guidance, gives asked and unasked advice to CEO, BoD and IMT. The Board Secretary bridges the gap between strategy and execution and safeguards the connection between the strategic vision and actionable results.
The role ensures effective functioning of board governance structures, the regulatory compliance of these structures and strategic coordination of board-related policies and procedures. This position organises IMT meetings and Supervisory Board meetings and serves as liaison between the CEO, BoD, IMT and Supervisory Board.
Working closely with the CEO, BoD, IMT, Supervisory Board and other Senior Management. The Board Secretary collaborates closely on relevant topics with Cordaid’s lobbyists, spokesperson, Communication and Quality Management department.
External contacts would entail regulatory and legal contacts, CEO’s network and Supervisory Board’s networks where applicable. This position reports to the CEO.
What you do
Board Support, Liaison & Governance
- Plan and manage full International Management Team (IMT) and Supervisory Board meetings, including agenda setting, materials preparation, minute-taking, record keeping and sharing of board material and timely issuance of resolutions.
- Organise the Audit, Strategy, and Remuneration Committee meetings, ensure compliance with internal regulations, and track action items to completion.
- Liaise and coordinate with responsible legal, quality and integrity staff the maintenance of governance documentation: statutes, committee regulations, board manuals and integrity policies.
- Serve as the primary contact for Supervisory Board members, facilitating timely and clear communication.
- Ensure alignment with corporate governance policies, regulatory requirements, and internal protocols.
- Monitor governance-related compliance with Dutch legal and NGO regulatory frameworks, providing timely guidance to the CEO and Supervisory Board.
- Support the development of Board-related policies and procedures, ensuring that they are followed consistently.
- Oversee the preparation and distribution of Supervisory Board meeting minutes, reports, and relevant documentation to the BoD and IMT, ensuring clarity and compliance with governance policies.
- Act as central liaison among CEO, BoD, IMT, Supervisory Board, and relevant external stakeholders.
- Support the Supervisory Board Chair with managing declarations of Conflicts of Interest.
- Is a liaison between the BoD, IMT and Supervisory Board in all aspects of communication, in a proactive manner and with sense of urgency and (political) sensitivity.
Regulatory Compliance
- Assure that Cordaid's Governance structure and function adhere to Dutch law, CBF and ANBI regulations.
- Maintain official statutory registers (BoD, Supervisory Board, conflict of interest declarations).
- Support and liaise with responsible staff for the compliance of legal and regulatory requirements, assisting with corporate governance practices.
- Coordinate the annual general meetings and meetings with the Works Council (WoCo).
Records & Archives Management
- Maintain a secure archive of all key meeting materials, ensuring ease of access and confidentiality.
- Ensure BoD and IMT documents are accessible to relevant staff and regulators under GDPR/AVG and other relevant legislation.
- Oversee safeguarding legal retention periods and other regulations concerning Board archives in collaboration with the Board support function.
Governance Advisory & Strategy
- Proactively advise on governance best practices in the NGO/international development sector.
- Coordinate periodic BoD and IMT evaluations and support governance improvement initiatives.
- Assist with CEO to Supervisory Board communications, strategy reflections, and risk oversight from a governance standpoint.
- Assist and coordinate with CEO the WoCO meetings and any other regulatory meeting managed at CEO level.
CEO Support & Internal Communication
- Manage the emails from the Supervisory Board, responding to corporate governance and organisational questions with discretion, empathy and professionalism.
- Maintain a rolling Annual Governance Calendar including all major BoD, IMT and Supervisory Board events.
- Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO providing counsel on strategic decisions and organisational priorities.
- Foster communication between the BoD, IMT, Supervisory Board and other corporate stakeholders, ensuring timely updates and clear messaging.
- Manage relationships with external partners, advisors, and stakeholders.
- Track decisions, action points, and ensure timely follow-up across relevant stakeholders.
Crisis Management & Decision Support:
- Act as a problem solver during critical situations, ensuring that operational disruptions are addressed swiftly and diplomatically.
- Provide support for decision-making processes, gathering necessary data and insights to inform CEO, Board and IMT actions.
- Guide the implementation of decisions taken at BoD and IMT meetings, ensuring accountability and follow-through.
Key qualifications
- Master’s degree in Business Administration, Law, Public Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in a similar role supporting Executive Boards and Supervisory Boards, ideally within an international NGO or complex international organisational setting.
- Strong understanding of Dutch and international NGO governance practices and legal compliance.
- Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite, digital board portals, and planning tools.
- Flexibility for global Board and IMT calls outside working hours.
- Ability to synthesise information and prepare high-quality reports and minutes/ decision documents.
- Excellent written and verbal communication in English and Dutch, French is a plus.
- Strong relationship management and interpersonal skills.
- Discretion, confidentiality, and high integrity.
- Out-going, empathic and accessible.
- Proactive, detail-oriented, and solution-focused.
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
- Familiar with working in multicultural contexts.
What we offer
- opportunity to contribute to high-impact international humanitarian aid and development.
- a dynamic, international culturally diverse and collegial working environment.
- a varied role where initiative is encouraged.
- good working conditions, with 2 days hybrid.
- a market competitive salary, depending on years of relevant experience.
- a position for 1 year with the possibility of extension, starting as soon as possible.
More information
Applications including a motivation letter and CV in English for the attention of Saskia Gerver, HR Advisor, including the contact details of references from the last two employers can be uploaded through our website.
For information on the content of the advertised position you may contact Human Resources GO, through [email protected].
Your application must be received 5 September 2025 at the latest.
Cordaid is fully committed to a safe working environment and the highest integrity standards. To read more on our commitment to Integrity, https://www.cordaid.org/en/who-we-are/integrity-and-code-of-conduct/ An integrity screening will be part of this application procedure. Cordaid signed up to the IASC Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.
Applicants must be nationals of an European Union member State, or have a valid work permit for the European Union and reside currently in The Netherlands.
An assessment and / or a presentation of a “case study” can be part of the selection procedure.
