The Innovation for Change Central Asia Board is an elected, diverse group of fourteen Country Members that represent the seven countries in Central Asia (Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan). 1-3 additional members represent the Hub secretariat and external advisors.

The Country Members vote on behalf of the members of our regional Innovation for Change Central Asia Hub.

Whom are we looking for?

The Central Asia Hub is currently looking for a Board Member in each of five countries in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan), as well as in Afghanistan and Mongolia.

The Board Member should…

  1. be a supporter of and believer in the values and principles of civil society, in the contribution that civil society and civic engagement in general can make to the development of our countries;
  2. have a regional outlook and interest that goes beyond just the interests of civil society in their particular country and sector;
  3. have skills in areas that are critical to the success of the Central Asia Hub and experience in mobilizing resources;
  4. be prepared to devote time and energy to the success of the Central Asia Hub, and have the capacity to organize the implementation of Hub measures at the country level;
  5. be a team player, ideally with experience of working in Boards,
  6. be respected member of their community, who has demonstrated leadership skills in a professional setting.

The Board Member needs to…

  1. ...understand English at least at a basic working level;
  2. ...be free from conflict of interest situations. In particular, they should be from an organization that is not already represented in the Board, and they should not be a board member or paid employee of another regional Innovation for Change Hub.

What does it mean to be a Board Member?

Board members are elected for a period of 36 months. The Board meets on average twice per year, with additional meetings if necessary. Between meetings, Board members communicate through electronic tools.

What are Board Members expected to do?

The purpose of the Central Asia Innovation for Change Board includes (but is not limited to):

  1. To provide direction to the Hub by establishing broad policies and strategic objectives;
  2. to oversee the functioning of the hub, including selecting, appointing, supporting and reviewing the performance of the hub Secretariat,
  3. to represent the Hub in different circles and proactively promote and support its mission and objectives,
  4. to contribute to making available adequate resources, supported by the Secretariat and in partnership with other relevant stakeholders, and
  5. to be accountable for the Hub's performance to external stakeholders.

What are the benefits of being a Board Member?

Board membership is not remunerated, but Board Members can expect to see the following benefits from their involvement in the Board.

  1. Participation in Innovation for Change www.innovationforchange.net, as a global project that is positive and innovative and can make a systemic contribution to the development of Civil Society in the region;
  2. Extension of their own network and experience;
  3. Possibility to develop themselves, and their organizations, in innovative directions, through partnerships, activities, events and projects with partners in the Central Asian region and at the global level.

How to nominate a Board Member candidate

Please fill out the google form in below link to submit your nominations and let us know about your nominee. If you have any questions, please contact the Helper Hub. The deadline to submit the application is March 31, 2019.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFn5rN8LIjk2P8x5IwhwQFZgiSndxJyYmxK2_YIR8bEjPDdQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

How are Board Members selected?

On the basis of the nominations received, the Hub secretariat first selects those candidates that match the criteria listed above under “The Board Member needs to…” The Secretariat then prepares a technical shortlist, based on an equal weighting of the criteria listed above under “The Board Member should…”

The existing Board members then use this ranked shortlist to take decisions on filling the vacant seats on the Board.

More information about the Central Asia Hub

(Note that these are working drafts as of September 2018. They are to be finalized with the updated concept note of the Hub at the Board meeting marking the end of the incubation period at the end of 2018. No substantial change is expected.)

Vision and Mission of the Hub

To create a Central Asian Innovation Hub, engaging in long-term strategic partnerships with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and government institutions, functioning as a provider of methodological know-how on innovation, as a think tank capable of supporting the implementation of concrete changes.

To create and widen civic spaces by improving the knowledge management of CSOs, strengthening their expert potential, and fostering constructive CSO-government relations towards the sustainable development of the Central Asian region.

Objectives of the Hub

  1. Create a regional innovation platform where CSOs, technologists, activists, experts and governments come together to speak about maintaining and establishing civic spaces and preventing their closure.
  2. Facilitate a regional platform for exchanges on CSOs issues, including options where civic spaces can be maintained, created and supported.
  3. Strengthen the capacities of CSOs in Central Asia to be able to advocate for a better role.