Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team is hiring a Board Member (Remote) | Apply by 28 June 2026
The Board Member opportunity at the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team represents a strategic governance position focused on strengthening open geospatial data systems for humanitarian response, climate adaptation, and development planning. This remote, global role is designed for senior leaders who can guide HOT through a major transition from a grant-funded nonprofit model to a more diversified, market-facing organization.
The appointment is a volunteer position with a two-year term, requiring approximately five hours of commitment per month, including participation in board meetings and advisory activities.
Overview of HOT’s Mission and Global Role
The Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team is a global nonprofit working to improve humanitarian action through open mapping and community-driven geospatial data. The organization supports disaster response and development planning by ensuring that accurate, accessible mapping data is available where it is most needed.
HOT’s mission is centered on three key principles:
- Community-driven mapping for local and global needs
- Open access to geospatial data for humanitarian and development use
- Strengthening resilience through data-informed decision-making
Operating across Africa, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean, HOT plays a critical role in supporting responses to crises such as floods, earthquakes, epidemics, and climate-related disasters.
Strategic Purpose of the Board Member Role
The Board Member position is not operational but strategic, focusing on governance, oversight, and long-term organizational direction. The role is especially important as HOT transitions toward a hybrid funding model combining philanthropy and earned revenue.
Core governance responsibilities include:
- Ensuring HOT fulfills its mission for public benefit
- Providing oversight on financial stability and organizational performance
- Supporting long-term strategic planning and risk management
- Reviewing and guiding financial models and sustainability strategies
- Safeguarding organizational values, culture, and ethical standards
- Advising leadership on business development and growth strategy
This role requires a strong understanding of mission-driven organizations navigating structural transformation.
Supporting HOT’s Business Model Transformation
A central expectation for this board appointment is expertise in guiding organizations through financial and strategic transformation. HOT is shifting toward a model that generates revenue through geospatial data services and partnerships with governments, NGOs, multilaterals, and private sector actors.
Key strategic focus areas include:
- Developing sustainable, mission-aligned revenue streams
- Building market strategies for open geospatial services
- Strengthening partnerships with institutional and commercial actors
- Expanding customer-oriented approaches in humanitarian tech
- Managing financial risk during organizational transition
Board members are expected to bring real-world experience in scaling hybrid organizations that combine social impact with earned income models.
Governance, Oversight, and Accountability Responsibilities
The Board plays a critical role in ensuring that HOT operates transparently, ethically, and effectively. Members are expected to actively engage in governance processes that maintain organizational integrity.
Key responsibilities include:
- Reviewing organizational performance and executive leadership outcomes
- Participating in or chairing board committees
- Overseeing financial reporting and resource allocation
- Ensuring compliance with ethical and legal standards
- Monitoring organizational risk and sustainability
- Acting as ambassadors for HOT’s mission and values
Board members must also maintain confidentiality and declare any conflicts of interest.
Strategic Expertise and Leadership Expectations
HOT is seeking experienced leaders who bring deep expertise in business transformation, financial sustainability, and mission-driven innovation. The role requires individuals who understand both humanitarian systems and market-driven approaches.
Ideal experience includes:
- Leading organizations through growth and strategic change
- Designing and implementing hybrid funding models
- Building partnerships, client networks, or revenue pipelines
- Working in humanitarian, development, or technology sectors
- Understanding geospatial data or platform-based ecosystems
Desirable skills include experience in marketing, communications, or technology-enabled service delivery.
The Role of Open Mapping in Humanitarian Systems
The work of the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team is increasingly important in a world facing more frequent and severe disasters. Open geospatial data enables faster, more informed humanitarian responses and supports long-term resilience planning.
Key contributions of open mapping include:
- Improving disaster response coordination through real-time mapping
- Supporting climate adaptation and risk planning
- Enhancing accessibility of data for local communities
- Enabling governments and NGOs to allocate resources more effectively
- Strengthening evidence-based decision-making in crisis settings
Board members directly influence how these capabilities evolve and scale globally.
Time Commitment and Structure
This is a part-time governance role with a low but strategic time commitment. The structure is designed to engage senior professionals without requiring full-time involvement.
Key details include:
- Approximate commitment: five hours per month
- Term length: two years, renewable
- Remote participation with occasional in-person meetings
- Participation in board and committee sessions
- Advisory contributions on strategic issues
Despite limited hours, the role carries significant influence over organizational direction.
Conclusion: A Strategic Role in Humanitarian Innovation
The Board Member position at the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of open geospatial systems in humanitarian action. As HOT evolves its funding model and expands its global impact, board leadership will play a central role in ensuring sustainability, innovation, and mission alignment.
Professionals with experience in business transformation, social impact leadership, and technology-driven development systems are well-positioned to contribute to this next phase of growth in humanitarian mapping and data systems.
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
