OpCo - Oversight and Transparency Committee (OAT) Application Process Overview

DAO Programs & Initiatives Operation Company (OpCo)
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Outline

Last week, the OpCo proposal passed the onchain voting stage, with ~56% of voters casting a FOR vote, and our top priority now is to move the process forward. The next step in the setup process is the DAO electing three members to the entity’s Oversight and Transparency Committee (OAT). These three members together with the Arbitrum Foundation in its role as an observing and non-voting member will then source and appoint two additional members optimistically, with the DAO having the ability to veto either appointment through a Snapshot vote (simple majority with at least 3% of all votable tokens voting either “For” or “Abstain”).

The OAT’s primary mandate is to oversee OpCo’s operations, ensuring the DAO maintains adequate transparency into the DAO-adjacent entity, functioning as the coordinator between delegates and OpCo, and establishing clear communication channels with other key stakeholders and contributors. The committee also recruits essential staff to the entity, approves any notable operational decisions, and assures that OpCo executes according to its approved mandate.

The OAT’s term is 12 months, with a re-election process initiated when the OAT’s term has around 3 months left. The DAO will again choose 3 members who then appoint 2 additional OAT members. There are no consecutive term limits for OAT members. As the OAT is mandated to assist in OpCo’s operationalization, its first term will be slightly longer than future terms. This initial term will cover the period from when the first OAT members have been selected until OpCo’s official start date, plus an additional 12 months from that start date.

Timeline

  • Application & Nomination Period: Monday, February 24, 2025 – Monday, March 24, 2025
    • This period has been extended from 3 weeks to 4 weeks to account for ETHDenver, which is taking place at the end of February
    • Please note that this period can be extended further in the case that the number of applications and nominations is limited
  • Candidate Eligibility Evaluation Period: Monday, March 24, 2025 – Wednesday, March 26, 2025
    • During the period, the Arbitrum Foundation will confirm that all candidates fill the prerequisites for joining the OAT
  • Candidate Introductions Call: Thursday, March 27, 2025, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM ET
  • Snapshot to Elect the Three Initial Members: Thursday, March 27, 2025 – Thursday, April 3, 2025
    • Candidates who fulfill the criteria for becoming an OAT member are moved to the election stage
    • A shutterized, weighted voting system will be utilized on Snapshot, and the 3 candidates with the most votes will be chosen as members of the OAT
  • Two Additional OAT Members Appointed by the Three Existing Members Together With Help from the Foundation: Timeline to Be Decided

Please review the OAT member role description and application form below. If you think you are a perfect fit for the role or know someone who is, we request you to submit a completed application form as a comment underneath the OpCo - OAT Applications & Nominations forum post. If anything is unclear regarding the application process, kindly leave a comment underneath this forum post, and we will answer the question(s) as soon as possible.

Relevant Links

Role Description

The Arbitrum DAO is seeking individuals with extensive experience in organizational strategy, stakeholder engagement and advisory, risk management, and navigating the DAO and governance landscape to join OpCo’s Oversight and Transparency Committee. As an OAT member, your main tasks will comprise functioning as the primary governance mechanism for OpCo, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently, operations remain within the DAO’s mandate, and strategic objectives are met.

Finding the right balance between participating in high-level decision-making based on the DAO’s guidance and allowing OpCo’s employees to implement strategies will be of high importance. As an applicant, your main priority should be Arbitrum’s long-term success by guiding OpCo to thrive.

Prerequisites to Joining the OAT

  • Applicants/nominees must be individuals
  • Required to disclose and maintain a public list of all actual and potential conflicts of interest, including but not limited to financial, personal, DAO governance, and professional
  • May not be a direct representative or full-time employee at network competitors (e.g., Solana, Polygon, Optimism)
  • Appointed individuals, as well as any companies with which these appointees maintain a professional or financial relationship, must relinquish any and all contributor roles within the Arbitrum DAO that were obtained through an official election or ratification process conducted via Snapshot or Tally.
    • As long as an individual is an OAT member, they and their affiliates as defined above are prohibited from becoming an internal employee for OpCo, entering into service provider contracts with the entity, and applying to a contributor role related to the Arbitrum DAO that requires an official election or ratification process through Snapshot or Tally.
    • Appointed individuals and their affiliates as defined above cannot be members of another DAO initiative’s or DAO-adjacent entity’s oversight committee or any other position comparable in nature.
  • Bound to be aligned with the community values listed in The Amended Constitution of the Arbitrum DAO, follow the Code of Conduct for delegates, be committed to prioritizing the Arbitrum DAO’s needs, and act in absolute good faith and utmost honesty to fulfill their duties to the best of their abilities.
  • Required to pass a KYC process and enter into an Agreement with the OpCo legal entity. The Agreement will cover, including but not limited to, appointment, conflict of interest, mandate, confidentiality, record-keeping, duty of impartiality, recusal, self-dealing prohibition, and ethical trading standards.
  • Must sign any relevant non-disclosure agreements with respect to confidential information an OAT member might gain access to as part of their duties.

Key Responsibilities

  • Operational Support
    • Advice on OpCo’s operational development.
    • Review proposals for the DAO, by the OpCo team, related to the continuation of the OpCo & its operations.
  • Strategic Coordination
    • Actively engage with DAO-approved entities such as the Arbitrum Foundation, the Gaming Catalyst Fund, and other initiatives that may emerge in the future.
    • Actively engage with key stakeholders and facilitators in the Arbitrum ecosystem including Offchain Labs, Entropy Advisors, and others that have a significant stake in the success of Arbitrum.
    • Actively liaise with contributors and proposers; ensure the DAO stays informed regarding operations.
  • Accountability
    • Hold OpCo accountable to its stated mandate and ensure all activities it undertakes are in the best interest of the DAO.
    • Assist in the preparation, review, and approval of reports and updates to stakeholders.
    • Design relevant key performance indicators to set OpCo’s north star in terms of what it means to be successful.
  • Hiring, Termination, & Authorization
    • Collaborate with the Arbitrum Foundation to recruit essential staff to the entity.
    • Review deals proposed by OpCo with third parties (such as service providers) and indicate approval or disapproval.
    • Greenlight salaries, larger spends, budgets, and other other operational finances.
    • Recommend the hiring and termination of personnel and service providers during the course of normal business for OpCo.

Desired Qualifications

  • Proficiency in at least one of the following domains (relevant experience with respect to DAOs, Foundations, and the wider blockchain industry are highly prioritized):
    • Business Development, Venture Building, and Strategy & Operations - Extensive expertise in optimizing operations and guiding strategic initiatives across cross-functional teams; adept at identifying market opportunities, forging key partnerships, and helping implement high-impact strategies to scale organizations effectively.
    • Corporate Finance, Capital Allocation, and Financial & Risk Management - In-depth experience in financial strategy, capital allocation, budgeting, and risk management; skilled in optimizing financial performance, ensuring compliance, and implementing robust fiscal controls and policies to drive long-term sustainability.
    • Human Resources & Talent Management - Deep proficiency in workforce planning, organizational development, and talent acquisition; having built high-performing teams, fostered inclusive workplace cultures, and implemented HR strategies that achieve business objectives.
  • Possess a strong network and reputation within the blockchain industry, with extensive experience representing a brand and navigating DAO governance (general-purpose blockchain DAO experience a plus).
  • Track record in advisory, governance, and/or oversight roles; demonstrated ability to uphold governance best practices, foster accountability, align stakeholders, and ensure organizational resilience.
  • Robust understanding of Arbitrum DAO’s current structure, contributors, and programs strongly favored.

Compensation

  • Monthly base payment: $7.5K
  • Bonus payment per term: 100K ARB
    • Contingent on the member having been appointed as part of the dedicated election process and having been active throughout the whole term.
    • The bonus payment is vested, with funds released after a 24-month cliff following the term’s end.

Application Form

Applicant / Nominee Information

  • Full Name:
  • Contact Information:
  • Current Occupation:
  • Country of Residence / Time Zone:

Nominator Information (Only complete this section if you are nominating someone else for the role)

  • Nominator Full Name:
  • Your Relationship to the Nominee:
  • Why Are You Nominating This Person:

Applicant / Nominee Qualifications and Experience

  • Identify one of the domains described within the Desired Qualifications section in the OpCo - Oversight and Transparency Committee (OAT) Application Process Overview forum post in which you have the most experience and describe that experience:
  • Describe your network and reputation within the blockchain/technology industry. Have you previously represented a crypto brand and/or navigated DAO governance:
  • Detail your experience in advisory, governance, and/or oversight roles:
  • Have you previously contributed to the Arbitrum DAO? Describe any relevant experiences through which you’ve gained an understanding of the DAO’s current structure, contributors, and programs:
  • Given the scope of OpCo is relatively broad in its current form, describe how you view OpCo’s role within the DAO and what it should accomplish to deem the entity a success over the next 3-5 years:

Additional Information (Only complete if relevant)

  • Please share any other relevant information that supports the applicant/nominee:

References (Only complete if relevant)

  • Please provide the name, position, and contact information of individuals who can attest to the applicant’s/nominee’s qualifications and character:

Disclosures

  • Please disclose all of the applicant’s/nominee’s actual and potential conflicts of interest, including but not limited to financial, personal, DAO governance, and professional:
  • Please disclose all active contributor roles and payment streams related to the Arbitrum DAO that the applicant/nominee, and entities that they have a professional or financial relationship with, has and is receiving:

Declarations

  • The applicant/nominee understands that any offer to join and hold a position in the OAT is contingent on:
    • Successfully completing as well as maintaining updated all relevant non-disclosure agreements, KYC requirements, and other necessary documents
    • Not being a direct representative or full-time employee at network competitors (e.g., Solana, Polygon, Optimism)
    • The person as well as any companies with which the person maintains a professional or financial relationship to relinquish any and all contributor roles within the Arbitrum DAO that were obtained through an official election or ratification process conducted via Snapshot or Tally
    • The person as well as any companies with which the person maintains a professional or financial relationship to abstain from becoming an internal employee for OpCo, entering into service provider contracts with the entity, or applying for any contributor role within the Arbitrum DAO that requires an official election or ratification process through Snapshot or Tally
    • The person as well as any companies with which the person maintains a professional or financial relationship to relinquish positions on other DAO initiatives’ or DAO-adjacent entities’ oversight committees or any other positions comparable in nature
    • Being aligned with the community values listed in The Amended Constitution of the Arbitrum DAO, following the Code of Conduct for delegates, being committed to prioritizing the Arbitrum DAO’s needs, and acting in absolute good faith and utmost honesty to fulfill their duties to the best of their abilities.
  • If nominating someone else, the nominator confirms that the nominee is aware of their nomination and the essential details related to it
  • The applicant/nominator confirms that they have read and understood all the content within this form and that the information submitted is accurate and complete: Yes/No
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