The following requirements apply to all candidates for the EOSC-A Board of Directors. Board members are directly elected by the EOSC-A General Assembly.
The General Assembly is the supreme authority of the Association and is composed of one (1) Delegate per Member with voting rights and one (1) Representative per Observer without voting rights.
The General Assembly has all powers except those expressly reserved or delegated to the other bodies of the Association by the Articles of Association or by a decision passed by the General Assembly (Article 3, Articles of Association).
Function Profile of a Director
The General Assembly elects the Directors, who are appointed in their individual capacity from amongst the Delegates of the General Assembly.
Responsibilities of a Board member
The Board has the power to:
- Convene the General Assembly;
- Prepare the meetings of the General Assembly and propose decisions;
- Prepare the budgets and the annual accounts, including the annual membership fees, to be submitted to the General Assembly for approval;
- Propose amendments to the Articles of Association and Internal Regulations;
- Provide recommendations on the admission or termination of Members and Observers;
- Direct the implementation of decisions made by the General Assembly;
- Propose to set up and dissolve operational and advisory bodies (subject to validation by the General Assembly);
- Appoint the Vice-President and Treasurer from amongst its Directors, and dismiss them;
- Appoint, dismiss and discharge the Secretary General;
- Represent the Association at external events, promoting the Association’s visibility, public relations work and identity; and
- Propose to the General Assembly to appoint, dismiss and discharge the Statutory Auditor.
Role of a Board member
The role of an EOSC-A Director includes:
- Direct involvement in shaping the strategy of EOSC-A by actively contributing to the continual development of the EOSC Partnership’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) and its Multi-Annual Roadmap;
- Participation in strategic decision-making regarding the future of the EOSC Association in both the context of the General Assembly’s right of self-determination and the context of the Tripartite governance of the EOSC Partnership;
- Representation of EOSC-A in meetings with the European Commission and the Member States and Associated Countries;
- Representation of EOSC-A in events and conferences, panel discussions, media enquiries and similar public-facing occasions;
- Providing guidance to the EOSC-A Task Forces and help them to succeed in meeting their objectives;
- Operations-level involvement in all areas of EOSC-A’s development and decision-making processes.
Profile of a Board member
A Director should be in a leadership and/or executive position within an EOSC-A Member organisation for the duration of the term of office as Director.
Requirements of a Board member
A Director will:
- Support and promote EOSC-A’s mission, aims and values;
- Demonstrate commitment to our strategic objectives;
- Act as an advocate for Open Science;
- Demonstrate commitment to diversity and inclusiveness;
- Attend meetings of the Board and General Assembly;
- Listen, analyse, think and act strategically;
- Be proactive in stakeholder engagement and in representing the views of the EOSC Association.
Preferred characteristics of a Board member
The following characteristics add to the profile of a Director:
- Knowledge of and direct involvement with professional networks in European research, innovation and higher education, and in Open Science;
- Knowledge of and experience with the goals, activities and functions of our Association;
- Willingness to act as a liaison or contact point for an operational body or advisory body of our Association;
- Scientific background.