HOT Board Member

Role description

Duration: 2 year term, extendable every two years

Remuneration: Volunteer role (Travel for any in-person board meetings will be reimbursed)

Commitment: We aim to be transparent about the time commitment required for this role. While we strive to balance the needs of the organization with respect for your time, we anticipate an average of five hours per month. This includes attending key meetings, participating in essential activities, and advising on the needs that arise.

Location: Global (remote)

Language: Board business is conducted in English

HOT’s trajectory

The Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) has been a driving force in enabling better humanitarian response and development programming through the provision of open geospatial data for the last 15 years. Whether responding to epidemics, earthquakes, flooding, or extreme heat, the question of “where?” will always remain a critical one.

In today’s world, more frequent and severe sudden onset disasters, unprecedented levels of humanitarian need and all-too-slow climate change adaptation investments mean the demand for low-cost, high-quality geospatial data and local capacity is growing rapidly.

HOT is working towards a vision of the world where:

• Community needs are addressed through mapping
• Everyone can access, and contribute to, the map
• Open map data is available and used for impact

This is a pivotal time in HOT’s journey, and we are seeking passionate, seasoned and committed executives to join our Board of Directors and help shape the organization’s next phase.

Over the past few years, HOT has grown significantly. We have established four high-performing, regional open mapping hubs, serving hundreds of communities and partners across Africa, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our fast-evolving, open tech stack is accelerating the ability of people to autonomously design, collect and leverage data for action. And, we are supported and powered by a diverse and vibrant global community of mappers, map users and map supporters.

A unique moment to join HOT

We seek executive leadership to guide HOT in fundraising, organizational transformation, strategic growth, and sustainability. Humanitarian and global development funding is dwindling and so HOT requires bold, innovative and ambitious strategies to adapt and thrive over the coming years.

The business models, funding models, capabilities and relationships we invest in today are critical to how we evolve as an organization tomorrow. There is a huge opportunity right now for open mapping to deliver massive value to those who need it, improving humanitarian response and enabling smart and impactful climate adaptation and economic growth.

Since 2011, HOT’s board has been composed of membership-elected directors. After research, member engagement and a successful bylaw change, we now seek to augment our current board profile through the appointment of new board members with specific and critical skillsets.

We’re looking for two individuals who have:

• Successfully led impact-mission-driven organizations through periods of growth and strategic transformation,
• Expertise in financial sustainability, diversifying fundraising models, and developing innovative and hybrid business models,
• A deep passion for the role of technology and data in effective and equitable humanitarian, disaster, and climate response work.

By joining our board, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Shape the future of open mapping, and open geospatial data for impact in humanitarian and climate adaptation efforts,
• Work alongside a strong, diverse and passionate, high-performance global community,
• Ensure lasting impacts in communities worldwide

HOT is more than an organization, we are a part of a movement dedicated to using data to improve the lives of people living in the most vulnerable places. If you are a passionate, ambitious, and future-thinking person, who shares our vision, and our values, and wishes to drive community-led impact as much as we do, we invite you to join us on this transformative journey.

Purpose of role

HOT’s board oversees the strategic management and governance of the organization, ensuring that it fulfils its mission, remains financially stable, and operates in ethical and legal standards.

Along with other members of the board, you should actively contribute in shaping strategy, ensuring the effective management of resources and assessing the performance of the Executive Directors on a regular basis, ensuring we build a high performing organization.

Further information;

• HOT website
• HOT Living Strategy
• HOT Impact Report 2023-2024

Board Member Duties include, but not limited to:

1. Ensure HOT is carrying out its purpose for the public benefit and is held fully accountable

2. Contribute to, or chair, board committees, helping to set and accomplish long-term vision, strategic direction and financial health for the organization.

3. Contribute to financial governance, reviewing & checking financial information, models and plans

4. Safeguard the culture & core values of HOT

5. Advise HOT’s leadership team and board colleagues in matters relevant to specific skills and experiences (notably fundraising and business skills)

6. Represent HOT at external events and meetings as required

7. Undertake other tasks as required to support the effectiveness of the board and success of the organisation

Conduct & Reputation

8. Act in HOT’s best interests, as an ambassador for the organization

9. Maintain personal and professional conduct suitable to preserving the good reputation of the organization

10. Maintain confidentiality of personal information and commercially sensitive information disclosed to you in this role

11. Disclose to the Board and Executives any circumstances that might negatively impact the reputation of the organization or conflicts of interest

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Person specification**

We are looking for two candidates, whose combined knowledge and experience meets the requirements set out below.

We look forward to receiving applications from people passionate about supporting HOT’s mission. We value diverse capabilities, thus, we will consider different combinations of knowledge, skills and experience during the evaluation process.

ESSENTIAL:

1. Fundraising and business knowledge, skills and experience

2. An understanding of the funding landscape (including sectoral trends) of international NGOs, such as HOT is essential

3. Experience working with major donors and corporates with a sound understanding and experience of international NGO fundraising at strategic and operational levels is essential

4. Experience successfully leading and managing similar organizations who combine philanthropy and earned revenue to support sustainable growth of impact (including business model development and risk management).

5. A positive and flexible problem-solving approach.

6. Experience building professional / community networks and maintain relationships with donors is essential

DESIRABLE:

7. An understanding of the role of technology in the humanitarian and development sectors is desirable

8. Expertise in sales marketing or communication.

9. Commitment to the mission, vision and values of HOT.

10. Highest standards of integrity and conduct.

11. A professional qualification relevant to the work of the Board is desirable

12. Working knowledge of languages other than English.

How to apply

To apply, please submit a current CV and a supporting letter (no more than 2 pages) that includes a detailed explanation of your suitability for this position with specific reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.

Applications must be submitted ONLY through our online jobs portal (LINK BAMBOO HR) no later than 10th April 2025.

Recruitment Timetable:

Deadline for applications: Thursday 10th April (midnight) 2025

Interviews with Prospective Candidates:15th May 2025

HOT is an International NGO committed to equal opportunities for all its employees, potential employees and members. It seeks to be an inclusive organisation where there is equal opportunity for all and diversity is embraced.

SDG Impact