Supervisory Board Member – NGO SPARK

About SPARK
SPARK is an international NGO that creates high-impact jobs for young people, including women and refugees, in regions affected by fragility and conflict. We work with local and international partners to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems and education, ensuring our support is market-driven and contributes to post-conflict economic recovery and stability. Our growing team of 40 employees operates from offices in Amsterdam, Palestine, Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia, and other locations, mainly in the Middle East and Africa.

SPARK Strategy

SPARK’s journey ahead rests on three pillars: innovation, resilience, and localization. With a digitized organizational backbone, strengthened local governance, and a global marketplace for jobs and business linkages, SPARK is positioned to lead in fragile contexts. Our focus remains on creating dignified jobs, nurturing entrepreneurship, and bridging humanitarian and development divides. With donor and government partners, SPARK will scale its proven models to ensure that young people—especially women and refugees—have the opportunities and support they need to build stable, prosperous futures.

The Role

Supervisory Board is recruiting one new member with extensive financial experience, particularly in grants management from an operational leadership role. This includes experience in foundation or donor relations (EU, MENA, Africa, Netherlands) and an understanding of P&L responsibilities to support the Finance and Audit Committee. As a board member, you will monitor the
Board of Directors performance, advise on and approve overall policy and strategy, and review annual plans, budgets, accounts, and reports. You will join the Finance and Audit Committee alongside existing board members and serve as a sparring partner to the Head of Finance and the Director.

What We Seek

We are looking for someone with a global perspective and cultural awareness who resides in the Netherlands or can travel to the Netherlands at their own expense at least four times per year. Experience working in or for SPARK operating regions (MENA and Africa) is highly valued. The commitment averages 4-8 hours per month plus occasional engagement with leadership and the
committee. Board meetings occur four to six times annually, typically in Amsterdam or other office locations. The position is unremunerated but includes a limited volunteer allowance of €1,500 per year.

Ideal Background

The ideal candidate has experience in NGO grants, financial-operational leadership, or operational experience with foundation or donor relations. Strong links to SPARK operating regions are preferred. While conflict resolution, fundraising, advocacy, or tech/digital literacy are advantageous, the primary focus remains on financial governance and grant oversight. We encourage diverse
backgrounds and individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.

Application Process
If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity, please submit your expression of interest explaining your alignment with the outlined requirements in a Cover letter, along with your CV finding this specificvacancy and using the ‘apply’ button on https://vacancy.spark-online.org/Tab1/LoadProfileFromVacancy/727 If you have any questions, please reach out to the current SB members Lizette van der Kamp, Fawad Shah, Nic van der Jagt and Fred de Vries through sb@spark-online.org

Practical questions can be answered by the senior secretary Liesbeth Molenaar, through the general spark email address spark@spark-online.org

Deadline of application: 1 November 2026.
If we see a fit, we will get back to you within 2.5 weeks.
Due to the high volume of applicants, we cannot provide feedback in all individual cases. We hope you understand.

All communications will be treated confidentially.