Director/Committee Member, Board of Directors

The Cuso Board of Directors (“the Board”) fulfills a critical governance function in service of the organization’s long-term mission. It is composed of individual Directors holding a diverse set of skills supporting effective and impactful governance.

Through its decisions and processes, the Board embodies our values - Courage, Inclusion, Sustainability and Accountability. Its activities are explicitly aligned to support the work and success of the organization. It seeks to lead by example and ensures that 50% of Board membership represent women and/or non-binary individuals and 50% represent the voices and experiences of individuals from underrepresented communities.

The Board serves a strategic guidance function, and its activities are primarily oriented to strategic and generative modes of governance. While it is informed on overall operations and any matters deemed material to ongoing work of the organization, the Board is not an ‘operational’ board and as such is not involved in the day-to-day management of the organization.

As champions of the organization, Directors and Committee members personally commit to apply their skills, connections and networks in active service to the success of the organization in its pursuit of partnerships, influence, visibility and resource mobilization.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

In an era of rapidly changing contexts for international cooperation, we are seeking dynamic individuals to join our Board of Directors and Committees. Members of our Board of Directors and Committees (Finance & Audit, Nominations & Governance, and Funding & Development) are experienced and committed leaders, bringing a wide range of expertise, relationships, knowledge and perspective to Cuso’s governance.

In this particular recruitment cycle, we are recruiting Committee Members (non-Directors) for a one (1) year term (renewable) and/or new Directors for a term of three (3) years (renewable). Beyond usual governance competencies, over the coming years, the Board’s recruitment will prioritize candidates with a strong commitment to diversity, who bring unique value to the organization in the forms of networks, resources, or influence which may support the advancement of organizational priorities, leveraging knowledge and experience in the following areas:

• Government relations
• Fund development
• Technology and Private sector innovation

Directors and Committee Members will need the ability to function in English, the working language of the Board of Directors and the Committees.

The short list of experiences and attributes provided above is for reference and indication only. Candidates for this volunteer position with Cuso’s Board are not required to have all the experiences or attributes noted above to be considered. Any interested candidates are invited to share how their unique experience will contribute to the collective quality and diversity of our Board.

EXPECTATIONS OF BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS

1. Commit to the core values of Cuso and adhere to the Code of Conduct
2. Personally act as advocate for Cuso in support of the organization’s Mission, Vision and Values, as well as the growth of the organization
3. Understand, and support, the principle of fiduciary responsibility of Boards of Directors
4. Be a philanthropic supporter of Cuso (within their means)
5. Foster collegial and positive working relationships with other Board members and staff
6. Prepare well for meetings
7. Commit to membership on at least 1 Board committee. Attend and vote at committee meetings (5-6 virtual meetings per year).
8. Contribute to special projects and/or advisory committees
9. Attend all Board meetings (3 x 1-day virtual meetings per year, 1 X 2-day in-person meeting in Ottawa per year) (Directors only; Non-Directors attend by invitation and are non-voting)
10. Attend external meetings/fundraising events, as needed

HOW TO APPLY!

If this type of leadership interests you, we’d like to hear from you. Applications (through our careers page at https://cusointernational.org/careers/ ) to this public call will be accepted until February 16, 2026. For more information about this application, our Board, or if you require accessibility support to apply, please write to boardofdirectors@cusointernational.org. We will gladly collaborate to help you.