Appointment Brief
NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL BOARD DIRECTOR JULY 2018
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BACKGROUND Good nutrition is the foundation for human development. It is the critical ingredient every one of us needs to survive and to thrive. Without it, the brain cannot not develop fully, the body cannot grow properly, the immune system cannot function effectively, and individual potential can be stunted, permanently. Just as malnutrition creates often insurmountable barriers, proper nutrition can open a world of opportunity — because good nutrition is so much more than a full stomach. The right nutrition at the right time builds the capacity to dream, it fuels the power to achieve, and it lays the foundation upon which we can build a healthier, fairer and more productive world. At Nutrition International we believe that world is possible, but to build it we need to fundamentally change the way we approach development. We need to break down silos, take a ‘no missed opportunities’ approach, and focus on the ‘how’ of reaching people living in poverty with what works. We need to put the people we serve and the issues they face at the center, build up partnerships that address those issues, and scale up investment. In essence, we need to do development differently.
OUR ORGANIZATION For 25 years, Nutrition International has delivered low-cost, high impact, nutrition interventions to those in need. Working alongside governments as an expert ally, we combine deep technical expertise with a flexible approach, multiplying impact without increasing complexity or cost. Woven into the very fabric of our approach is the passion and drive of our global team of over 400 people. Nutrition International is exceptional because of the quality, creativity and skill of our people and their focus on action, results, and scale. From modest beginnings as a specialized Canadian Initiative, we have become a global nutrition organization, with world-class technical expertise, cost-effectiveness and global influence. Despite significant growth, our mission remains unchanged, we exist to do the greatest good for the people we serve.
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OUR APPROACH At Nutrition International, we want to see a world where everyone, everywhere, is free from malnutrition and able to reach their full potential. Building upon our core strengths, we concentrate our interventions in 10 high-priority countries, while providing global technical assistance, vitamin A and salt iodization programs in more than 50 others. We achieve impact by increasing coverage of low-cost, high-impact interventions for those who need them; by maximizing our leverage, utilizing new delivery platforms and creating new partnerships, and by using our influence strategically to increase the priority and funding of nutrition through research, advocacy, and knowledge creation as well as sharing. The interlocking nature of these three strategic components, guided by the cross-cutting focus on gender equality, form the basis of our approach.
“At Nutrition International, we make a difference, because nutrition is the difference. It’s the difference between attending school and learning there. Between giving birth to a child and giving her life. It’s the difference between what could be and what never gets the chance. At Nutrition International, we nourish people to nourish life.” — Joel Spicer, CEO Nutrition International
OUR IMPACT Nutrition is one of the lowest-cost, highest-impact investments in human potential. Nutrition investments create a virtuous circle linking nutrition to health, education, economic empowerment, equality and stability. To date, Nutrition International has mobilized over $1 billion in the fight against malnutrition; nearly one third of that in the last five years. Between now and 2030 Nutrition International’s programming will make a significant measurable contribution towards the Sustainable Development Goals, both through proven health impacts, saving lives and averting cases of anemia and stunting, but also through human capital impacts, increasing IQs and years of schooling. Combined, these impacts will generate billions in economic activity, providing governments with increased revenues which can be used to bolster social systems and improve services. Because a focus on gender equality underpins all of Nutrition International’s programming, these impacts will directly support the empowerment of women and girls across Asia and Africa to make their own choices, improve their nutrition, and their lives. Enabling women and girls to be healthier, attend school longer and do better while their increases their lifetime earnings, decision-making power and agency.
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POSITION DESCRIPTION Overall Purpose
To live and act as champions and take every opportunity to support Nutrition International (NI) and increase its impact in the world.
Responsibilities
Individual board members have a fiduciary, legal and ethical responsibility to act in a way which ensures that the best interests of NI are served. This requires each board member to act in good faith and exercise reasonable care in carrying out his or her fiduciary, legal and ethical duties.
Specific Responsibilities and Duties of Board Members • • •
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Determine NI’s vision, purpose and mission. Participate in setting the organization’s strategic plan. Advocate on behalf of NI — board members must be prepared to communicate and promote the activities of NI in order to steward current and prospective funding or take advantage of any opportunities for NI to showcase its programs and activities. Live and act as NI champions who take every opportunity to support NI’s efforts to have more impact in the world. Prepare for and attend all Board meetings and participate in the discussion and decisionmaking process at the meetings. Keep well informed of developments that are relevant to issues that may come before the board. Support, respect and uphold the decisions of the Board. Maintain the confidentiality of all matters pertaining to NI. Disclose possible conflicts of interest and refrain from voting on issues related to the conflict. Support the President of NI and periodically assess his or her performance. Answer all correspondence with relation to NI in a timely manner and maintain a record of such correspondence. Provide financial oversight, including approval of the annual Program of Work and Budget. Review the periodic and year-end financial statements of NI. Ensure NI is compliant with statutory requirements. Participate fully on board committees as assigned.
Members of the Board share these responsibilities and duties while acting in the interest of NI. Each member is expected to make recommendations based on his or her experience and vantage point in the community.
Position Requirements Nutrition International seeks to appoint a Board Director with: • • • • • •
Ideally, previous experience as a Board Director or Trustee, or working directly with Boards. Knowledge of the international bi-lateral donor community or the philanthropic sector, ideally in the UK or Europe. A collegial and collaborative approach. Excellent networks and the ability to leverage these. A personal commitment to a world free of malnutrition. Women are particularly encouraged to apply to improve diversity in our governance.
In addition, expertise in nutrition, marketing and communications or development issues would be beneficial. 6
Terms of the Appointment Length of term •
Three years, which may be renewed pending approval of the Board.
Meetings and time commitment • • • •
he Board has a minimum of three regular meetings a year, two of which are usually faceT to-face and one by teleconference. Board members may be asked to attend no more than two special events as they are determined each year. Board members are also expected to participate on sub-committees of the Board as and when needed. Board members are particuarly encouraged to see Nutrition International programmes in the field at least once per term.
Remuneration • The role is not remunerated, but expenses to fulfil the role will be covered.
CURRENT BOARD For biographies on our current Board Directors, please visit: www.nutritionintl.org/about/who-we-are/board-directors
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HOW TO APPLY Your application should be submitted online via the Prospectus website: www.prospect-us.co.uk/jobs/details/hq00172671 Please include a current CV or biography together with a motivation statement. The statement should be no more than two sides of A4. It should address the position specifications, provide relevant examples of your experience and explain your interest in the post. Please ensure that you have included contact details, including your mobile/cell number. For an informal, confidential discussion about this role, please contact Børge Andreassen or Fiona Wansborough at Prospectus on + 44 207 691 1920 or via borge.andreassen@prospect-us.co.uk or fiona.wansborough@prospect-us.co.uk Official closing date: September 3, 2018
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