Secretary to the Board

Acre is supporting GRI in the recruitment of a Secretary to the Board to work hybrid, preferably either from Amsterdam or Brussels.

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GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) is an independent, international organization that helps organizations with transparency. They do this through the creation of a global common language for organizations to report their sustainability impacts. This enables informed dialogue and decision-making around those impacts.

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Position Overview:

GRI is seeking a dedicated and skilled individual to assume the role of Secretary to the Board, with a particular focus on governance for the not-for-profit sector. As the Secretary, you will play a crucial role in supporting the effective functioning of the management board and supervisory board and other governance bodies, ensuring compliance with good governance principles and best practices. Your commitment to GRI's mission and values will be essential in upholding the integrity and transparency of the organization.

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As the Secretary to the Board, you will be the first point of contact for GRI's governance bodies, the Management Board, Supervisory Board, Stakeholder Council (SC), GRI's Nominating Committee (GNC) and the Standards related governance bodies Due Process Oversight Committee (DPOC) and Independent Appointments Committee (IAC). You will provide advice to the Standards Division staff on the governance processes regarding the Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB). This position will be reporting to the chair of the Supervisory Board.

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Key Responsibilities:

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Governance Compliance

• Develop and maintain governance policies, charters, and procedures, tailored to the needs of the GRI organization;

• Oversee and monitor compliance with the articles of association, bylaws and other governance policies and guidelines, proactively reporting potential issues to the board.

• Stay well-informed about relevant nonprofit laws, regulations, and governance guidelines, ensuring the organization's adherence to these standards.

• Support the proper application of due process.

• Conduct regular assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of governance practices and suggest improvements to strengthen our governance framework.

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Board nominations

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for identifying and sourcing potential candidates for various governance bodies, such as boards of directors, advisory committees, and leadership councils.

• Coordinates and keep track of the timelines for (re)appointment and (re)election of nominations for GRI's governance bodies.

• Collaborate with relevant governance bodies to understand the specific skills, backgrounds, and qualifications required for each governance body, ensuring a targeted and tailored approach to nominations.

• Coordinate and facilitate the nomination process, including submitting nominations, collecting required documentation, and communicating updates to all relevant stakeholders.

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Board Meeting Coordination:

• Collaborate with board members and executive staff to schedule board meetings, coordinate logistics, and prepare and distribute meeting materials.

• Attend board meetings and accurately record minutes, capturing essential discussions, decisions, and action items.

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Governance Documentation:

• Maintain accurate and organized records of board decisions, resolutions, and governance-related documents.

• Prepare official documents, such as annual reports and governance reports, in compliance with (international) reporting requirements.

• Assist in monitoring and in the management of follow-up points decided at board meetings

• Collaborate with the executive team and risk management officers to identify and address governance-related risks unique to nonprofit organizations.

• Assist in the development of risk mitigation strategies that align with the nonprofit's mission and objectives.

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Governance relations and communication

• Facilitate orientation programs for new board members, providing them with an in-depth understanding of the organization and its governance structure and practices

• Foster positive relationships with our internal and external stakeholders, including donors, partners, and volunteers, by effectively communicating our governance practices and commitments.

• Works closely with the communications department on governance-related outings

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Key Competencies/Requirements

• Proven experience as a Secretary to the Board or a governance-related role.

• Understanding of (nonprofit) governance principles, regulations, and best practices.

• Familiarity with relevant legal and regulatory frameworks governing nonprofit organizations.

• Excellent command of spoken and written English and a demonstrated grasp of precision in the use of the English language.

• Able to work in an international and multi-cultural setting.

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities, including minute-taking during board meetings.

• Proficiency in using technology and software tools to streamline governance processes.

• Ability to work collaboratively with board members, executive staff, and other stakeholders.

• Exceptional organizational and time management skills with keen attention to detail.

• Strong ethical values and integrity in handling governance matters.

• Conduct regular assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of governance practices and suggest improvements to strengthen GRI's governance framework.

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About GRI

GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) is an independent, international organization that helps organizations be transparent and take responsibility for their impacts so that together we can create a sustainable future. We do this through the creation of a global common language for organizations to report their sustainability impacts. This enables informed dialogue and decision-making around those impacts.

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GRI is the global standard setter for impact reporting, which through an independent, multi-stakeholder process, maintains the world's most comprehensive set of sustainability reporting standards. Available as a free public good in 12 languages, the GRI Standards are, globally, the most widely used for sustainability reporting.

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More than 10,000 organizations, including 78% of the largest 250 companies in the world, disclose sustainability information through the GRI Standards - something unimaginable only 25 years ago. In addition, our standards are referenced explicitly in 160 polices of governments, regulators, and stock exchanges in 60 countries.

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Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we have a network of seven regional networks ensuring we can support organizations and stakeholders worldwide.

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Acre is supporting GRI in the hiring for this role. To apply, please note that only applications directly through Acre's website/link will be considered. If you have any questions, please contact Thaddeus Tan at thaddeus.tan@acre.com.