Governance Assistant

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is seeking a Governance Assistant to support the board and senior management team in governance function. This role will be offered on permanent contract basis, subject to availability of funding. You will be based in London, United Kingdom.

About GAIN

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with both governments and businesses, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver more nutritious food for all people. In particular, we aim to make healthier food choices more desirable, more available, and more affordable. GAIN’s mission is to advance nutrition outcomes by improving consumption of nutritious and safe food for all people, especially the most vulnerable to malnutrition.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Operations, the Governance Assistant will support efficient conduct of business, effective governance and decision making at GAIN, by supporting the Board, Executive Director, SMT, Director’s Forum and other decision-making processes such as ‘task and finish’ groups set up by SMT. You will also support the Secretary to the Board with administration and management to support a strong governance function.

Key Responsibilities include;

• Responsible for scheduling meetings, preparation of agendas and minutes taking for Board Members and Senior Management Team
• Ensuring relevant documentation and official records in compliance with legal requirements and good practice
• Supporting the Executive Director in planning and managing the overall workplan for the Team across the year and in scheduling meetings and organising productive Retreats and ‘task and finish’ groups set by SMT across a range of topics ensuring timely scheduling
• Maintaining the Risk Register, ensuring updates from SMT and County Directors
• Supporting reporting against the strategic plan KPIs/PMF for the Board
• Managing Board membership documentation, correspondence and candidate running lists
• Supporting with Registration with the Geneva Registre du Commerce (with the Legal Manager)
• Providing effective and timely internal communication of Board and SMT decisions in various modes
• Working with HR to secure staff compliance on good governance recording such as staff conflicts of interest
• Keeping abreast of developments in whistleblowing policy and practice and in supporting the whistleblowing policy with high quality administration

About You

The ideal candidate should have experience in supporting corporate or charity governance processes (e.g., Board/SMT meetings, Minute-taking, register of interests, compliance, Agenda preparation. You should have experience working as an assistant to senior level staff and working in a fast-paced environment in either private or not for profit sector. Candidate with experience in organising events for senior staff and managing budgets is desirable.

The postholder should have exceptional interpersonal skills, well organised, ability to prioritise and coordinate parallel work streams to demanding timelines and able to work well with staff and Board member. You should be attention to detail, discretion and respect in handling confidential and sensitive matters.

You should have excellent command of written and spoken English with fluency in French is preferred. The assistant should be strong computer literacy with excellent MS Office skills. Degree holder or equivalent professional qualification and/or qualifications in governance support is desirable.

About our Offer

The starting salary on offer for this role is from GBP 39,987 – GBP 42,849 per annum, depending on experience.

GAIN has a fair and competitive salary structure that allows for annual progression subject to good performance. In addition, GAIN offers a total of 37 days holiday per year (including annual leave, public holidays and additional office closure days), an attractive pension scheme and competitive insurance cover including health, travel and life assurance.

We are committed to the health of our staff, especially in these challenging times, and have developed a programme of wellbeing that includes flexible working, additional leave allowances, wellbeing days, mindfulness coaching and access to independent and confidential counselling.

GAIN also has a strong commitment to professional development. We will support you to grow in your career through both formal and informal training, and are committed to providing opportunities through internal recruitment, secondments and promotion. All of this is delivered in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Our Working Culture and Environment

We provide a flexible working environment that includes a combination of home and office working opportunities through our global hybrid working policy. This encourages our staff to have a healthy work-life balance and increases staff motivation, enriches employee wellbeing, and improves performance and productivity.

All of our positions are based in one or more of GAIN’s designated offices as stated on our job advertisements. Successful candidates will be based in one of GAIN’s country offices and must have the existing right to live and work within a reasonably commutable distance of the relevant city / cities in which the role is advertised. Please note, that GAIN does not sponsor working visas and relocations.

GAIN reserves the right to withdraw an offer of employment for candidates who are considered to ineligible under the above conditions during or after the recruitment process.

Applicants must be currently based in London, United Kingdom to be eligible to apply for this position.

This advert closes on 3rd February 2023. Early applications are encouraged. GAIN reserves the right to close this advert early should we receive suitable candidates ahead of the closing date.

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition is committed to equality of opportunity and creating an inclusive environment where diversity is valued. We are keen to reflect the diversity of our society at every level within our organisation and therefore welcome applications from talented and committed people from all backgrounds, representing the diverse societies we operate in.