DEADLINE TO APPLY: 15 JANUARY 2025
The Global Commons Alliance is at the cutting edge of environmental and social transformation, forging the path for a safe and just future for people and the planet.
Established in 2019, our coalition sprang from a groundbreaking international collaboration among scientists, businesses, and policymakers committed to the shared guardianship of Earth’s vital global commons. These commons are the irreplaceable shared ecosystems and resources of our planet, from the Amazon rainforest to Arctic Sea ice, that sustain life as we know it. Our mission is to mobilise citizens, companies, communities, and nations to hasten systems change and become better stewards of these shared global commons.
Comprised of five core components and over 70 partners from around the globe, our work is co-created and combines rigorous science with diverse ideas, perspectives, and solutions. We leverage decades of collective expertise in the realm of sustainability, governance, and systemic change, working seamlessly across public, private, and civil sectors worldwide.
Our uniquely multi-faceted approach brings diverse ideas and scientific rigor to confront the urgent, complex challenges that our planet faces. These challenges demand more than piecemeal solutions, they require the holistic transformation of mindsets, actions, and systems on a global scale. We translate aspiration into tangible action, challenging the status quo, incubating new approaches, and empowering each other toward a future where we’ve successfully safeguarded our planet’s vital systems though just transformations.
THE ROLE OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE:
CUSTODIANS OF A COLLECTIVE VISION
The Steering Committee serves as the guardians of GCA’s overarching strategy, also guiding implementation. Their commitment extends beyond the interests of their respective organisations; they are entrusted with ensuring that the Alliance’s vision of a safe and just world is upheld.
SHAPING PRIORITIES AND POSITIONS
They leverage their collective wisdom and expertise to navigate the complex landscape of global environmental and social challenges. By shaping these priorities and positions, they steer the Alliance towards effective action and impactful outcomes.
SUSTAINING GROWTH AND IMPACT
The Steering Committee plays an instrumental role in supporting the Alliance’s development and prosperity. Their contributions, both financial and non-financial, ensure GCA’s continued growth and influence on a global scale. They act as ambassadors of the causes GCA works on and they represent the Alliance externally with one voice.
ADVOCATING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not mere buzzwords for the Steering Committee; they are foundational principles. By championing these values, the Committee ensures that the GCA is a reflection of the world it seeks to protect – a world that respects and values the contributions of all its inhabitants, regardless of background or perspective.
OVERSEEING AND SUPPORTING LEADERSHIP
Effective leadership is pivotal to the GCA’s success. The Steering Committee oversees and supports the work of the GCA’s Executive Director and Management Team, composed of the Executive Directors of its various components. Their guidance ensures that the Alliance remains on course, with a clear strategic direction and empowered leadership.
MEDIATING FOR A HARMONIOUS FUTURE
In a collaborative e ort as vast and multifaceted as the GCA, occasional differences may arise. The Steering Committee serves as a mediator, stepping in where necessary to foster harmonious relations and constructive dialogue. Their role is to facilitate unity and cooperation, ensuring that the Alliance remains steadfast in its mission.
POSITION
TITLE
Co-Chair Global Commons Alliance, working alongside the other, currently appointed, Co-Chair, Margarita Astralaga.
LOCATION
Flexible Global location
COMPOSITION AND TERM OF OFFICE
The Steering Committee will be made of up to 14 members elected for two-year terms with the possibility of re-election for no more than two terms. The composition of the Steering Committee will be reviewed at least once every two years.
The Steering Committee includes:
● Two Co- Chairs
● Five Components’ boards/councils representatives
● Two funders from the growing, but currently 7-member Investor Collaborative
● Four key partners who have dedicated, overtime, either financial or human resources to the GCA
● One external, well known globally in the nexus climate, environment and social inclusion
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Co-Chairs will co-lead the Steering Committee members in their governance and strategic advisory roles whilst providing support and guidance to the GCA Executive Director to fulfil their responsibilities.
With the other Co-Chair, support one another with duties that include:
● Chair Steering Committee meetings, alternating with the other Co-Chair by mutual agreement, to ensure that they function effectively, interact with staff and partners optimally and fulfil all their duties.
● Optimise the relationship between the Steering Committee, GCA Executive Director and Management Team (Executive Directors of the GCA Components).
● Reflect on any concerns staff have regarding the Steering Committee and any concerns of the Steering Committee to the staff/GCA Executive Director and Component EDs.
● Prepare an annual performance review of the GCA Executive Director, in consultation with the whole Steering Committee, GCA staff, partner organisations.
● Lead process that ensures Co-Chairs, Steering Committee and GCA Executive Director succession is well planned as part of good governance.
● Support process that ensures the Steering Committee periodically reviews governance that relates to its own structure, role, and relationship to staff and GCA Components.
● Facilitate the development and application of models for evaluating the performance of the Steering Committee and its committees.
● Act as a high level GCA representative and ambassador, attending and speaking at public events with donors, the media, government, and other organisations as appropriate and in a complementary manner with the GCA Executive Director alternating with the other Co-Chair by mutual agreement.
● Actively support the GCA Executive Director, the development team and component.
● Executive Directors in fundraising, liaising with the Investment Committee members and advocating for the GCA causes to prospective funders.
SKILLS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will be a highly experienced professional, and respected leader with substantive board experience in an international setting and an established positive reputation in the environment-climate-development nexus. They will have experience of working with the complexities of Alliances and the governance structures needed to bind them and make them effective. The candidates will be passionate about the mission and vision of GCA and be able to represent the ambition and work effectively with donors, the media, staff, and Alliance members.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
In early 2024 a Co-Chair was recruited. At this time, we are looking for a Co-Chair who can complement the existing Co-Chair (Margarita Astralaga). The ideal candidate should have extensive experience and networks in the corporate and finance sectors, and has proven abilities to assist in resource mobilisation for the Alliance. We hope to identify someone who can be very external facing, attending speaking events and rallying support and a deeper understanding of the Global Commons Alliance’s work.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
● Experience in serving as a Chair or board member in international organisation or inter-sectoral settings.
● Working knowledge of governance models relevant to international networks and alliances and an appreciation for the complexities inherently involved in such models.
● Understanding and appreciation of the content of the work of the GCA.
● Understanding and commitment to the principles and practice of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
● Excellent presentation, communication skills, and experience with different communications media.
● Fluency in English (written and oral).
● Familiar with working at distance/virtual collaboration.
REMUNERATION
Stipend of USD 1,000 a day not to exceed USD 3,000 a month.
TIME COMMITMENT
Estimated up to 3 days per month; with special days / dates agreed to be available, manifesting as 1-2 hour video calls plus reading and commenting on key documents, preparing for and participating in SteerCo meetings (4 times per year).
TRAVEL AVAILABILITY:
1-2 times per year, for key events.
TO APPLY
To apply for this role, please submit a copy of your CV/resume and a cover letter outlining your motivation for the role and how you fulfil the requirements set out in the job announcement by email to alejandra@globalcommons.org.
The deadline for application is January 15, 2025
