Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide seeks new chairman

Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide is a connecting platform where coordination and exchange take place within the Grenspark, but also with other nature reserves in the region. It has become the 'spider in the web' for the Kalmthoutse Heide area and plays a crucial role in connecting stakeholders and setting up projects and activities aimed at protecting and experiencing nature.

Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide s ambition, based on the strong structure built up in recent years, is to continue to renew and develop in the coming years. The ambitions for the next 24 years have been worked out in the Masterplan Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide. An important challenge here is to build structural cooperation with new stakeholders from the current partnership.

The area is facing challenges such as climate change and increasing spatial pressure. At the same time, there is an enormous social commitment to protecting the area. This involvement can be seen in the many visitors who seek peace and nature experience or a beautiful landscape to practice sports. In addition, many volunteers are also active in management, education and maintenance.

Organisation:

The management of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide is currently organised under the umbrella of BENEGO BGTS and is being transformed into an international NPO under Belgian law, in which all parties involved are represented. These partners each have their own responsibility for carrying out tasks, based on their specific identity.

We are looking for a chairman who...

• the partnership and new partners to develop the Master Plan
• wants to be an active advocate of the natural and landscape values and their perception in and around Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide;
• can represent the partnership in various social debates;
• Has demonstrable affinity with sectors such as nature, recreation, science and education;
• occupies an independent position and can connect and mobilise parties from there;
• assumes a pioneering role in taking up challenges for Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide, taking a future-oriented approach;
• has extensive administrative experience;
• has an up-to-date and strong regional and national network;
• Familiar with the culture and social and (political) administrative situation in Flanders and the Netherlands;
• Can provide decisive leadership in changing organisational processes;
• has sufficient time available (indicatively 1 to 2 half-days per week) to give substance to the position.

The chairman ...

• Leads consultations with partners (currently structured as Special Committee 3 to 4 times a year and Steering Committee 6 times a year)
• Is responsible for developing vision, multi-year policy and ambitions;
• represents the Grenspark in various regional and national boards (e.g. Samenwerkende Nationale Parken Nederland) and in the press.

Procedure:

The selection committee consists of board members of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide. The chairman is appointed by the ministers of Flanders and the Netherlands within the framework of the Benelux treaty, after nomination by the partners of Grenspark Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide for a period of four years with the possibility of renewal for another four years. This position is filled on the basis of an attendance and expense allowance.

Are you interested?

You can send your motivation and curriculum vitae as part of this application to coordinator Jan Weverberghgrenspark with the subject line 'Vacancy chairperson Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide' until 7 June 2024.

For questions regarding this procedure or position, please contact General Coordinator Jan Weverbergh on +32 3 641 93 53.