Open call to all current Partners for nominations or expressions of interest for the spaces reserved for the Partners’ representatives
1. Overview
In accordance with the GRLI Foundation Statutes and Board Internal Rules and Regulations framework, the Support Centre is mandated to invite Partners to nominate individuals and/or to candidate themselves as potential Board Members in view of finalising the composition of the new Board before the AGM in Limerick (17–19th October 2016).
Those wishing to put themselves forward are asked to provide a mandate for what they bring, how they will contribute to the agenda of the GRLI to deliver the vision, their approach, the strategic partnerships they are connected with, etc.
Those nominated will be approached to confirm their willingness to candidate themselves and will be asked to provide a mandate as above.
Assuming there is a choice of appropriate candidates coming forward, the Board will select the best person to meet the specifications.
2. Key dates and contacts
Expressions of interest/nominations should be submitted by 17 June, 2016 to John North, Managing Director (john.north@grli.org) and Liliana Petrella, Manager Governance (liliana.petrella@grli.org). The new board will assume its duties on 1 July 2017.
3. Priority requirements
Regarding the whole Board:
With reference to the current Board composition (balance representation of strategic partners, representatives of the Council of Partners, and individuals invited by the Board) there are a number of key requirements to be addressed:
- Strengthening corporate representation and balancing the corporate-academia participation
- Achieving regional and gender balance
- Ensuring active engagement at Board level
- Securing sustained financial support from strategic partners and individual patrons to ensure continued operational capacity and availability of relevant impact projects and advocacy platforms
- Securing high level external recognition of GRLI
Regarding representatives of the Council of Partners in particular:
The nominee/candidate profile needs to reflect the characteristics identified by the Council of Partners during the meeting in Limerick in October 2016. These included: “Creative, Open minded, Flexible, Non Territorial, Walks the talk, Available, Transactional and Transformational”.
Council of Partners’ representatives are expected to attend the AGM to (1) interact with the Partners and (2) take this opportunity to update Partners on relevant Board actions and decisions.
4. Role of the Board
- Review and approve the GRLI Foundation’s strategy and related business plan updated annually;
- Review and approve the annual budget and expenditure, as well as key performance indicators and targets, and review and evaluate performance against them;
- Review all financial reports and any other financial information that is to be reported or provided to parties external to the GRLI Foundation;
- Ensure that policies on key issues, including exposure to various risks, are in place and are appropriate;
- Ensure compliance with regulatory and other mandatory requirements;
- Ensure that governance rules and regulations are properly applied;
- Ensure that regular renewal of the Board composition is put in place according to the statutes;
- Appoint the Managing Director, decide on his/her remuneration and manage, monitor and evaluate his/her performance;
- Understand, develop and foster the GRLI Foundation’s culture;
- Ensure effective stakeholder relationships; and
- Ensure effective risk management.
Board Members are also expected to use platforms and networks they are connected with to promote the GRLI.
A Board Member:
- Must act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the GRLI Foundation;
- Has a responsibility to use due care and diligence in fulfilling his/her role as Board Member;
- Must use his/her position as a Board Member for a proper purpose, in the best interests of the GRLI Foundation as a whole;
- Must avoid conflicts of interest;
- Must not make improper use of information acquired as a Board Member;
- Must take reasonable enquiries to ensure that the Foundation is operating efficiently, effectively and legally towards its goals;
- Is required to keep Board papers and discussions confidential;
- Should not engage in conduct likely to bring discredit upon the GRLI Foundation;
- Has an obligation, at all times, to comply with the spirit, as well as the letter of the law and with these principles.
