The organisation

The European Juggling Association (EJA) is a Europe-wide, volunteer-led organisation that exists to stimulate and promote juggling in Europe and beyond. We do so primarily by maintaining the continuity of European Juggling Conventions, aiming to host them in a different place in Europe every year.

The EJA supports the organisation of the EJCs in many ways. We are tightly involved with the organising teams, relaying information and experience from previous conventions. We also promote the EJCs locally in many European countries and languages by leveraging the EJA’s multinational board. In August 2020, the EJA is looking for a proactive President to be part of the leadership team for the next two years. 

The role

If elected as President, you would play a key role in both the oversight of the organisational structure and governance, as well as the leading on the delivery of the organisation’s purpose. You would chair the Board and the Executive Committee, collaboratively setting the direction of the organisation, and proactively building and developing a team of volunteers to work together in this direction. You would bring an energetic approach to communication while collaborating with others, plan and lead meetings of operational volunteers as well as of the Board. You would also ensure that decisions are made and communicated transparently, sensibly, and in consultation with the right people, and ensure that these decisions and structures are captured in a sustainable way for the future.

You would also represent the EJA publicly as its figurehead, being one of three named individuals responsible for the organization, the other two being the Secretary and the Treasurer. This team is registered with the Kamer van Koophandel in the Netherlands, where the EJA is registered as a Stichting. As we are a Europe-wide organization, you could be based anywhere in Europe.

This role is a volunteer position, and therefore unpaid. Reasonable and necessary expenses can be covered.

Person specification

You should have a good understanding of the European Juggling Convention, ideally having been on a few of them and understand their differences, similarities, and how they are organised. You have been around in the juggling and circus scene a bit, and you are passionate about it.

You should have experience in leading volunteer groups and can demonstrate how you’d apply this experience in the EJA context. Bonus points if you can demonstrate how you have done this in a virtual, geographically spread environment.

You can communicate well in English, both in written and spoken form, and you are sensitive to cultural differences and language barriers that can impact the EJA. Extra bonus points if you have an understanding of organisational structures both in a legal context and in context to enable people to work together effectively.

This is a voluntary role, so while it might go without saying, it’s worth to note: You must have all necessary equipment required to fulfill a role like this (e. g. a computer, internet, phone, etc) and you are willing to use this as part of your role.

How to apply

If this sounds like you, or if you have any questions, send an email to the Executive Committee at directors (a) eja.net. For an application, we ask you to send an introductory letter outlining why you’d be passionate about the EJA and being its chairperson, and how you meet the person specification, ideally by giving some past examples that are similar to what you would do in the role. A CV outlining your past experience would be very helpful.

If you meet the essential criteria, you will be invited to meet the Board and team on Sunday afternoon, 30th August, for a conversation where the Board will vote on who will fill this role. You will know about the decision right away.

Deadline for questions: 20th August 2020
Deadline for applications: 25th August 2020
Board meeting with interviews: 30th August 2020