Board Treasurer

Organizational Mission Equal Origin’s (EO) goal is to make gender equity a standard practice in the coffee and cocoa sectors, positively impacting the lives of millions of farming women, their families, and communities.  More information about our work and impact to date can be found at www.equalorigins.org.

Overview of

Board Position

While day-to-day operations are led by EO’s chief executive officer (CEO), the Board provides overarching thought partnership to the CEO on a range of issues and plays a critical, hands-on role in governance, financial oversight, strategic direction, fundraising, marketing and communications and stakeholder engagement.

Specific Board Member responsibilities include:

1. Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO as s/he develops and implements EO’s strategic plan
2. Review and provide feedback on outcomes and metrics created by EO for evaluating its impact
3. Review and vote on EO’s annual budget and audit reports
4. Participate in the CEO’s annual performance evaluation
5. Assist the CEO and board chair in identifying and recruiting other qualified board members
6. Develop relationships with sector leaders on behalf of the organization that may lead to new opportunities, partnerships and/or funding
7. Partner with the CEO and other board members to ensure that board resolutions are carried out
8. Serve on committees or task forces and taking on special assignments
9. Represent EO to stakeholders; acting as an ambassador for the organization
10. Ensure EO’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities EO serves
11. Prepare for, attend and participate at board meetings

Board terms/participation EO’s board members serve a two-year term and are eligible for re-appointment for one additional two-year term. Board meetings are held virtually every 6-8 weeks and working groups meet ad hoc as needed. Attendance virtually for at least 75% of board meetings is expected. Further, all board members are expected to review all supporting materials prior to the Board meetings. We aspire to hold an in-person Board retreat each year in Washington, DC based on Board availability and organizational budget (travel costs are self-funded).

Board Members agree to sign and abide by a standard confidentiality agreement to protect PGE’s organizational intellectual property and strategic programs.

 Qualifications Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

1. Extensive professional experience with executive leadership accomplishments
2. A commitment to and understanding of EO’s beneficiaries – primarily agricultural communities– preferably based on experience
3. Experience cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals
4. Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of EO’s beneficiaries

Key skills and experience being sought for new board members in 2024/2025 include:

1. Financial expertise: Ability to interpret financial reports, and provide strategic guidance to the management team to ensure financial sustainability. Prior experience in an officer role of  Board Treasurer of a not-for-profit organization or social enterprise.
2. Strategic communications expertise: Recent background in communications strategy, branding and competitive positioning.
3. Fundraising: Capacity to work with the CEO to cultivate relationships with foundations, corporations, major donors, and supply chain actors. Experience working with USAID and/or European development agencies to help guide the prioritization of opportunities, risk analysis, proposal development, and contract review.

We would be delighted to speak with interested candidates about this exciting opportunity. For consideration, please send a curriculum vitae and a short expression of interest. An EO Board Member will reach out to schedule an interview.