WADA seeks candidates for one independent seat on its Compliance Review Committee

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is seeking candidates to fill one Independent Member seat of the Agency’s Compliance Review Committee (CRC), an independent and non-political body whose main purpose is to oversee WADA’s efforts to monitor compliance by Signatories with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) and International Standards. 

The CRC is composed of three Independent Members and three members nominated by athletes, governments, and sport. WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) appoints one of the three Independent Members as Chair of the CRC following the recommendation of WADA’s independent Nominations Committee. One Independent Member seat will become vacant as of January 2026 and this call for interest invites qualified persons to apply. 

The Terms of Reference of the CRC can be found here. 

EXPECTATIONS OF MEMBERS 

Experience and expertise requirement  

Candidates should have demonstrated experience at a senior advisory or decision-making level in complex compliance and regulatory matters. Candidates must demonstrate a proven ability to work and assume progressive leadership responsibilities in committee settings, as well as an impeccable reputation with the highest integrity and ethics. As the Chair must be one of the Independent Members of the CRC, candidates must have the ability and interest to assume this leadership position. 

Qualified individuals are invited to consult the Position Profile for a complete list of the requirements for this CRC position.  

Independence criteria 

Candidates must meet WADA’s Operational, Personal, and Organizational Independence criteria⁽¹⁾ in force at the time of their application, and during the entirety of any CRC appointment.  

For example, staff members or elected/appointed positions in bodies exercising authority with Code Signatories are not compatible with the independence criteria. This is also the case for members of law firms that regularly file claims for or against WADA. Further examples of incompatibility are provided in section V of WADA’s Governance Regulations. 

Term of office 

Members of the CRC are appointed for a term of three years and may be reappointed for two further terms of three years if they continue to meet all relevant eligibility criteria. 

Expected time requirement 

There are four annual CRC meetings (two in person, two virtual), three of which precede the ExCo meetings. Thus, the CRC is mostly active in February, August, and October/November. In-person meetings may occupy up to three days, representing a five-day commitment due to travel time. Virtual meetings may be spread between one and three days, and ad hoc meetings may be called regularly during a given year depending on compliance cases. 

All CRC meetings require considerable time for meeting preparation, which includes reading significant materials ahead of each meeting. On average, the CRC requires approximately five hours of work per month, but there may be extra work for a given month and then no work for another month. In addition, new CRC members generally need to dedicate more time during their first year as they familiarize themselves with the Committee’s processes and ongoing files. 

Compensation arrangements 

Members of the CRC receive compensation based on the time spent on Committee work.   WADA is a not-for-profit organization funded by member contributions, and compensation arrangements reflect this nature. In addition, expenses incurred with respect to in-person meetings will be covered by WADA. 

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Applications will be submitted to WADA’s Nominations Committee, which will assess and review the candidates in accordance with its processes. The Nominations Committee will submit the results of its work, including the relevant dossiers, to WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo), which appoints members to the CRC. It is expected that the recommended candidate will be presented for approval at the ExCo meeting on 2 December 2025 and will enter into office on 1 January 2026 for a three-year term.    

Applications are to be forwarded by Friday, 18 July 2025 to Diane Smith-Gander AO, Chair of the Nominations Committee (c/o governance@wada-ama.org). 

To be considered, all applications must include the following: 

• a motivation letter expressing the reasons for the candidate’s interest; 
• an updated curriculum vitae⁽²⁾ fully outlining qualifications⁽³⁾, relevant experience, and expertise that reflect the essential requirements of this position;  
• a completed Declaration of Independence Form, confirming that the required independence criteria are met; and 
• a written confirmation that the candidate has the time to actively participate in the work of the CRC. 

Retained applicants will be requested to provide up to three referees who may be contacted by the Nominations Committee. Retained applicants will also be asked to consent to the use of third-party services to conduct background checks and education verifications.  

Any questions should be directed to Diane Smith-Gander AO, c/o governance@wada-ama.org.  

Notes: 

(1) These criteria are set out in the Regulations on Independence in WADA’s Governance Regulations and can be consulted in the Declaration of Independence Form mentioned above. 

(2) For purposes of review, evaluation, and approval, candidates consent to the sharing of their curriculum vitae and candidate file (and personal information contained therein) with WADA, the Nominations Committee, as well as the ExCo and Foundation Board, in accordance with WADA’s Privacy Policy and Governance Regulations. By submitting their application, candidates confirm that they have read and understood the abovementioned documents and accept their terms. 

(3) If the candidate refers to qualifications/certifications in their candidacy, the year of obtention of any such qualifications/certifications must be included. The candidate must also be able to provide valid evidence of such qualifications/certifications should it be requested by the Nominations Committee.