Expression of Interest: Board Member(s) for RET Americas

(Remote/ Home-based)

RET Americas stands for Resilience, Empowerment, and Transformation. Since our founding, we have been committed to working in emergencies, protracted crises, and fragile contexts to alleviate the deepest suffering, build people’s resilience, and improve their self-reliance.

We are one of the leading NGOs offering tailored solutions and relevant programs to bridge gaps and respond to the real needs and challenges of communities.

We play a decisive catalytic role in sustainable development. Our goal is to bring about significant positive change that enables particularly vulnerable youth and young women to take charge of their lives and realize their social and economic rights.

We support individuals, refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons, and host communities, embracing the fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence.

Job Description

RET Americas is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. We are part of the RET Alliance, a global network dedicated to alleviating suffering and catalyzing sustainable development in crises, conflicts, and fragile contexts.

Founded in 2000 by Sadako Ogata, the trailblazing former UN High Commissioner for Refugees, RET has implemented more than 460 projects across 35 countries and provided critical programming to over 2.5 million program participants. Today, our mission is more urgent than ever.

The world is facing intersecting crises: Displacement, conflict, unpredictable weather and increasingly devastating disasters. These fall disproportionately on the populations RET Americas serves: Youth, women, and girls in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East and beyond. We are at a pivotal moment, actively growing our board, deepening our resource base, and expanding our impact.

We are looking for board members who bring strategic thinking, professional networks, and a genuine commitment to humanitarian values. This is an opportunity not just to govern but to shape the future of a high-impact organization at a critical moment.

If you believe in the power of education, protection, and community resilience to transform lives, we would love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

The RET Americas Board of Directors is the governing body of the organization. It is responsible for the strategic direction of RET Americas, ensuring fiscal integrity, and overseeing the CEO and senior management. The Board meets quarterly with the Executive Leadership Team to review progress, ensure organizational health, and guide long-term strategy.

As an independent 501(c)(3), RET Americas Board members carry full legal fiduciary responsibility under U.S. nonprofit law and are expected to act in the best interests of the organization and the communities it serves.

Key Responsibilities

Fulfill the statutory duties of a nonprofit board director under U.S. law and IRS requirements.
Approve and monitor organizational strategy, annual plans, and major policies.
Appoint, support, and evaluate the CEO, and ensure appropriate succession planning.
Attend and actively contribute to quarterly board meetings and relevant committee sessions.
Fulfill the annual Give/Get obligation and serve as an ambassador for RET Americas.
Review financial statements, the annual audit, and key compliance documents.
Serve on or contribute to a relevant task force or working group based on professional expertise.
Maintain confidentiality and adhere to the organization’s Conflict of Interest Policy.
Advocate for RET Americas’ mission within your professional and personal networks.

We are currently recruiting for board members with experience in one or more of the following sectors:

Legal – Particularly international law, nonprofit governance, compliance, or human rights law
Communications and media – Public relations, graphics, marketing, or social media
Finance & Accounting – Financial oversight, audit, investment, or endowment management
Corporate – Technology, media, finance, business development, extractive industries, agricultural or pharmaceutical sectors
Government & Diplomacy – Including bilateral relations, international development policy, US Department of State networks
Philanthropy & Fundraising – Major donor cultivation, foundation relations, or corporate social responsibility

Requirements

We are seeking board members who possess one or more of the following talents:

Strategic thinker with the ability to contribute to long-term organizational planning and evaluate competing priorities.
Inspirational communicator who can serve as a credible ambassador for RET Americas in professional and public settings.
Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
Financially literate with the ability to review budgets, audited financials, and organizational performance data.
Curious and willing to probe, challenge constructively, and inquire deeply on behalf of the organization.
Committed to good governance, including legal and fiduciary obligations of a nonprofit director.

Personal Style & Attributes

Alignment with RET Americas’ values: Accountability, transparency, and humanitarian commitment.
Demonstrated engagement in the humanitarian, development, or social impact sector, whether through prior board service, philanthropy, or advocacy.
Ability to fulfill the Give/Get commitment (details provided during initial vetting and meeting) and bring a meaningful network to the organization’s resource development.
Available to prioritize RET Americas board duties, including quarterly meetings and task force engagement.
Self-aware, principled, and consistent; someone who models the right behaviors and treats all colleagues with respect.

Meetings & Attendance

Board meetings are held four times per year (quarterly), conducted virtually and/or in person.
Board members are expected to review all pre-meeting materials at least 48 hours before each meeting.
Ad hoc working sessions or committee calls may be convened between quarterly meetings.

Term & Renewal

Initial board terms are three years, renewable by mutual agreement with the Board Chair.
Renewals are subject to a brief annual review of Give/Get fulfillment and overall engagement.

How to Apply

To be considered for a board position, candidates are asked to prepare the following as an Expression of Interest and send to communication@theret.org by Friday, October 16:

Curriculum Vitae (CV) or professional biography (covering education, professional experience, board affiliations, and key achievements).
Personal Statement (explaining why you wish to join the RET Americas Board, what you hope to contribute, and your familiarity with humanitarian or development-sector work)
LinkedIn profile URL

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Due to the urgency to fill this post, RET reserves the right to review the CVs on a rolling basis and selected candidates may be interviewed prior to the closing dates listed; therefore, early applications are encouraged. RET is not in a position to respond to every applicant individually due to the anticipated high number of applications. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the first interview.

The employee is obliged to follow the rules and responsibilities of the Code of Conduct and PSEA Policy to create and maintain an environment which prevents sexual exploitation and abuse and promotes the implementation of the related arrangements.

Where the employee develops concerns or suspicions regarding sexual abuse or exploitation by a fellow worker, whether in the same agency or not, he or she must report such concerns via established reporting mechanisms.

RET is an equal opportunity employer. RET has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse.