Head of Focal Point Colombia - Global Reporting Initiative

GRI has a vacancy for a
Head of Focal Point Colombia
Start date 1 November 2013, 40 hrs p/w
Location: Bogotá - Colombia
Contract: 2 year initially – extension by mutual consent
About Global Reporting Initiative
An international not-for-profit organization, Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) mission is to make sustainability
reporting standard practice by providing guidance and support to corporations, governments and non-profit
organizations. GRI is the world’s leading network of people and organizations advancing sustainability,
transparency and accountability through sustainability reporting.
GRI’s Secretariat is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and has regional offices in the USA, Australia, South
Africa, Brazil, China, and India. GRI is an inclusive organization, and its work and activity is based on
consultation and participation of reporting business entities, information users of all kinds and professional
intermediaries. GRI’s global network includes more than 600 Organizational Stakeholders – or core supporters
– and some 30,000 people representing different sectors and constituencies. For more information visit our
website at www.globalreporting.org.
Position Summary
In the first quarter of 2014 GRI will establish a regional office in Bogotá, Colombia and is looking to recruit a
Head of the Focal Point as of November 2013.
Initially the main focus of the engagement and outreach will be on Colombia but with the possibility to explore
collaboration with national and regional partners in other targeted key regional markets depending on
sufficient funding and the interest and need of stakeholders.
GRI’s Focal Point will work to promote GRI’s mission disseminating and promoting better knowledge of
sustainability reporting and the GRI and its Framework for Sustainability Reporting among companies and
organizations in Colombia and later the wider region. The GRI Focal Point will be located in Bogotá, Colombia
and will in time act as a regional hub with the main aim to facilitate and promote the active engagement of
organizations in Spanish speaking Latin America in the further development of sustainability reporting globally
and in the region.
The post holder will report to the Director Network Relations based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and will be
supported by an advisory group of regional stakeholders.
Job purpose and responsibilities
The post-holder will be responsible for the following:
Promote the practice of sustainability reporting in Colombia and other key markets in Spanish speaking
Latin America – creating awareness, helping organizations get started, positioning GRI Guidelines as a tool
Connect national and regional practitioners to share best practices and drive quality of reporting
Ensure successful implementation of national and regional projects with partners in the region
Ensure that regional stakeholders have a strong voice in global developments such as the development of
the GRI’s Sustainability Reporting Framework
Advise regional organizations and governments on matters concerning the development of sustainability
reporting
Build a dynamic network in Colombia and other Spanish speaking Latin America and feedback reporting
developments to the global process as well as create and build new networks in other key markets

In detail:
1. Creating awareness, building capacity and collaboration with national and regional partners
Manage and maintain an active network, through events and other engagements
Represent GRI in public outreach, including public speaking
Support national and regional community of GRI reporters
Secure national and regional funding for the Focal Point office
Establish an Advisory Group for the Focal Point
Promote the GRI Organizational Stakeholder Program
Work with GRI’s partners such as the Certified Training Partners and the Data Partners in the
country and the region
Work with SMEs and relevant industry associations to provide training and capacity building,
initially in the coal sector but later including other main sectors such as coffee, bananas and
flowers
Work with NGOs, funding organization and other multipliers to raise awareness on the
benefits of transparency and sustainability reporting, (initially within Colombia, in time in the
wider region ) such as:
Collaborate with Colombian network of the United Nations Global Compact
Collaborate with the Colombian National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD
Multinational Guidelines e.g. in workshops and events
Raise awareness of reporting on Human Rights by promoting the Voluntary Principles
for Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) by offering workshops and trainings
2. Continuous improvement of the GRI Guidelines
Promote the understanding and use of the GRI Guidelines in Colombia and other Spanish
speaking Latin American countries
Support the development of the next generation of the GRI Guidelines and other Reporting
Framework materials by ensuring the voice of the region is heard in the global development
process
Support promotion of (relevant) sector guidance
3. Shaping the reporting environment
Engage with and advise relevant government bodies
Engage with and advise stock exchanges as relevant
4. Integrated Reporting
Promote and support regional participation in the development of integrated reporting
practices
Promote and support regional participation in relevant processes of the International
Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC)
5. Institutional development
Fundraising
Internal and External Communication Plan
Office management, including line management of one coordinator
Continuous engagement of the regional advisory group
Ensure representation from Spanish speaking Latin America in GRI governance bodies
Key competencies/requirements
Senior level knowledge and work experience of sustainability (CSR) strategies and global and regional
practice in corporate reporting. Direct experience in sustainability reporting would be an advantage
A university degree (or higher) in business administration, environmental - or social science, economics or
related field would be an advantage.
Proven ability to develop project, fundraise and maintain effective relationship with governmental and
other funders

Strong people management skills
Established track record related to complex project- and event management
Engagement and stakeholder relationship management experience
Ability to work in a self-supporting setting
Skills and attributes:
A strong ability to develop and maintain effective relationships at different levels and within different
stakeholder groups
Excellent interpersonal skills – the ability to communicate in a professional manner, develop and present
persuasive arguments at all levels
Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to write effectively for different audiences
Proven track record of training- and /presentation skills
Good time management and organizational skills, with the ability to work under periods of significant
pressure whilst maintaining attention to detail
Reliable, organized and helpful with a ‘can-do attitude’
Spanish native speaker level, fluent in English
Ability to travel – nationally and internationally – including annual or semi-annual visits to the GRI
Secretariat in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Desirable:
Additional language skills are an advantage
Employment Conditions:
Competitive salary and benefit package
Applications are welcome from any candidate irrespective of their nationality or residence, but candidates
will need to be prepared to live and work in Bogota, Colombia. A final offer will be dependent on the
establishment of the right to work in Colombia, for which GRI would support a visa application if necessary
Contact details
Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and motivation letter in English to
recruitment@globalreporting.org. Deadline to submit an application is Friday 27 September 2013 by 12.00
noon CET. Short-listed candidates will be contacted shortly after the application deadline.
Stichting Global Reporting Initiative
Human Resources
Weesperstraat 95
1018 VN Amsterdam, The Netherlands T. + 31 (0)20-5310000
recruitment@globalreporting.org // www.globalreporting.org