Board Direction, on behalf of the FIMS Inc (Fisheries Information Management System) is recruiting up to five (5) new NEDs.
FIMS Inc. (Fisheries Information Management System) is an international software development and information management company providing services to the fisheries sector. FIMS Inc is incorporated under the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) law and is based in Majuro in the RMI. The company is owned equally by the nine PNA+ members – the eight Pacific Islands countries that form the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) plus Tokelau.
They develop and manage a suite of integrated web-based software programs and apps known as the Fisheries Information Management System (FIMS). FIMS enables fisheries managers and the fishing industry to capture and analyse data to support the sustainable development of fisheries resources. The primary customers of FIMS Inc. are the PNA+ members and fishing industry operators active in the region.
For more information, visit: https://ifims.com/
Why this role
The work done by FIMS supports a highly lucrative and sustainable economy in the Pacific Islands, with the PNA+ members deriving c. $500m in annual revenue from their fishery. Few organizations in the region have such a significant impact. This presents an exceptional opportunity for you to make a meaningful contribution to the economic development of the Pacific, one that supports the long-term sustainability of fishery resources and maximises economic benefits for the people of the PNA+ countries.
Person Specification
FIMS is now transitioning to an independent five-member Board of Directors and is inviting applications from qualified candidates with a demonstrable connection with the Pacific Islands region.
At the direction of shareholders, to date the priority of the board has been to pay down debt incurred to purchase the company (acquired with 100% debt funding) with almost singular focus. The new independent board’s task is to guide and govern to improve systems and processes, ensure recent improvements are effectively entrenched, expand the customer base, and guide investment in new technologies.
This is an exciting time to join FIMS with the new board expected to:
- Ensure the DNA of the organisation – owned by the members who are proud of the company – is maintained
- Identify new opportunities to provide high-quality information services including the potential to be an information integrator, providing high-quality information services to regional agencies and other developing countries.
- Support the company’s management in developing and implementing a marketing strategy.
Specifically, the successful candidates are required to demonstrate their success against the following criteria, acknowledging not all skills are required for applicants:
- Governance: Prior governance experience is highly desirable – Non-Executive Director (NED) is not a prerequisite, but board level experience is.
- Skills and Experience – expertise in one of more of:
- Corporate governance: experience serving on other Boards, acting as Company secretary, etc. – proven not qualifications.
- Fisheries: experience in fisheries management and the political landscape of Pacific fisheries.
- Financial management and analysis: expertise in accounting and/or corporate finance (including budgeting and assessing investment decisions). The candidate does not need to be a CPA, but rather should be comfortable digesting and interrogating financial statements and assessing investments based on shareholder interest.
- Software/Information Technology: expertise in software development and/or IT infrastructure.
- Business management: experience operating and growing business(es), especially in the Pacific region.
- Networks & Relationships: Evidence of established relationships within one or more of the nine shareholding countries – government and/or the private sector that operates in these countries.
- Passion & Fit: Demonstrated ability to work in the ‘Pacific way/spirit’ (collegial, collective, and consensus-driven, with a highly oral culture), focusing on people, maintaining and developing relationships, and recognising that much of the work done by FIMS relies on mutual understanding and trust.
- Additional Information: Please provide any additional information that might support your ability to contribute.
- Chair: Please indicate whether you would be open to being considered for the role of Chair.
Location & Remuneration & Timings
Board Meetings:
The FIMS Inc. Board holds regular quarterly meetings and, when required, special meetings may also be called. Meetings are held in a hybrid format, normally with two meetings per year conducted fully virtually and two meetings per year conducted in-person in the Pacific region, with provisions made for remote attendance by Directors unable to attend in person. In addition to Board meetings, the company also holds an annual meeting of Shareholders and may, when required, also call special meetings of Shareholders.
Candidate Location:
Strong preference will be given to applicants who are PNA+ nationals, but all individuals are invited to apply. Applications will be considered from all non-PNA+ candidates with demonstrable connections with the Pacific Islands region.
Remuneration:
FIMS Inc.’s Directors are paid sitting fees for attendance at Board meetings at the following USD daily rates:
- Chairperson: $2,000
- Vice-Chairperson: $1,500
- Director: $1,000
Where travel is required to attend a meeting, FIMS Inc. provides economy class travel by the most direct route and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) at UN rates.
Timings: (as a guide)
- Applications close: Friday, 18th October 2024 (late applications may be accepted)
- Applications reviewed wc 21st October
- Unsuccessful candidates contacted by early November
- Short-listed candidate interviews are to be conducted in early November (online)
- Successful candidates are to be notified in mid-November
- New board members will be appointed by a vote of shareholders in early 2025
- Feedback will be offered to all candidates in November.
TO APPLY
Please complete the form below and attach your Curriculum Vitae (CV).
FIMS NED Application Form
To prevent disappointment should something go wrong, and for future reference, we STRONGLY recommend that you save your responses in a Word document prior to submitting your application.