Greenpeace Australia Pacific Limited (GPAP) is seeking to appoint 2 (two) new directors at the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM).

GPAP’s Board is dedicated to upholding GPAP’s values, mission and purpose. These are critical as we work to project a compelling vision of an earth capable of nurturing life in all of its magnificent diversity and use our strengths to bring down the vested interests of the fossil fuel order that stand in the way.

ABOUT GPAP

Greenpeace is the leading independent environmental campaigning organisation that uses non-violent direct action and creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace's goal is to ensure the ability of the earth to nurture life in all its diversity.

GPAP is the national/regional Greenpeace organisation for the Australia Pacific region. Our region includes Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Cook Islands, Western Samoa, American Samoa, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Belau (Palau), Guam, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Tokelau, Commonwealth of the Marianna. Our  head office is based in Gadi/Sydney. For more information about our operations go to our website.

GPAP VALUES

• Independence: We do not accept money from governments, corporations or political parties because it would compromise our core values.
• Bearing witness: Our peaceful protests work to raise awareness and bring public opinion to bear on decision-makers.
• Non-violent direct action: We strongly believe that violence in any form is morally wrong and accomplishes nothing. Greenpeace takes non-violent direct action at the point of an environmental crime to expose an environmental problem.

GPAP is a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC). It has an annual turnover of approximately $26 million (YE 2023). Our annual financial reports are available on the ACNC’s website at Greenpeace Australia Pacific Limited | ACNC.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The GPAP Board is above all else the guarantor of the integrity of the organisation. GPAP Board Directors are appointed for a 3 year term, with the option of re-appointment for a second 3 year term.

As a registered charity, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Limited takes the corporate form of a public company limited by guarantee.

Amongst other things, the GPAP Board is expected to exercise the following key responsibilities:  

• Ensure that GPAP’s mission is clear, appropriate and maintains relevance as circumstances change;
• Provide guidance for setting the strategic direction of GPAP;
• Continuously monitor GPAP’s programmes and activities to ensure they are aligned with GPAP’s mission and achieve their short-term goals and long-term purpose;
• Ensure executive performance by setting objectives and performance indicators for the CEO and regularly reviewing their performance;
• Ensure that GPAP obtains and appropriately uses the resources required to carry out GPAP’s mission and sustain it;
• Be satisfied as to the adequacy and integrity of financial and other reporting to the Board and that there are adequate systems of internal control; 
• Be satisfied that systems for identification and management of risks are robust and appropriate;
• Comply with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) Governance Standards; and 

Directors are required to uphold their statutory and fiduciary duties to act with in good faith; are to avoid conflicts of interests and owe a duty of care, diligence and skill. 

Directors are also required to have an Australian Director Identification number or if outside Australia be in the process of applying for one.

BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE

• The GPAP Board meeting schedule is comprised of at least six (6) meetings per year convened on a week day; and several additional shorter meetings.
• Approximately 4 times per year a meeting will be face to face, however all meetings are hybrid (online/in-person) capable. 
• For in-person meetings, all expenses for the Board meeting will be covered by GPAP (including travel, meals and accommodation). 
• For in person GPAP Board meetings, the Directors have dinner together the evening before the meeting.
• It is essential that all applicants have sufficient time to effectively commit to GPAP Board work (as a guide approximately 15 to 20 hours per month).

BOARD COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS 

There are 6 Board committees and working groups currently including:

1. Finance and Audit Committee
2. Nominations Committee
3. Philanthropy Working Group
4. Risk Working Group
5. Cyber Security Working Group

Board members are expected to be a member of at least one of those committees/working groups. 

GENERAL ASSEMBLY 

Every GPAP Board member is required to be a member of the GPAP General Assembly (GA), which comprises the membership of GPAP. In order to apply for the Board a candidate must already be a member of the GA or make an application to join the GA. As part of the application form, please ensure you select the correct category in order to apply for either Board only or both the Board and GA. 

Board applicants are encouraged to consider as part of their application that in the event their board application is unsuccessful, whether they wish to withdraw their GA application. The GA are the voting membership of GPAP and meet once (1) per year.

SELECTION CRITERIA

ABOUT YOU

The skills we are looking for in this recruitment round are:

1. Campaigning: You have extensive experience in campaign development and leadership, championing causes (ideally environmental or adjacent) to mobilise support, prompt action and drive meaningful change.
2. Fundraising: You have a wealth of relevant fundraising experience to apply to helping Greenpeace grow its impact.
3. Environmental Science Experience: You have a background in environmental science or strategy that takes into account the political, economic, cultural and societal impacts of environment. And/or you have experience in positions that require the application of ecology or environmental sciences.
4. Pacific capability: You have deep working knowledge of the Pacific region, its topography, ecology and its cultures, and understand the unique challenges facing the region.

You will be asked to nominate which of these skills is your primary skill in the recruitment process.

You must also be able to: 

• Fully commit to our mission, goal and values;
• Display leadership;
• Work collaboratively and cooperatively; and
• Speak up and ask the hard questions.

INTERSECTIONAL CLIMATE JUSTICE 

We acknowledge that environmental issues impact marginalised people and communities more than others, on both an international and local level. As an organisation we believe it is crucial that marginalised groups are given a seat at the table and are meaningfully involved in decision making. We strongly encourage Pasifika and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders to apply. With skills in 1 (one) of the above areas, we are seeking:

• Pasifika Peoples: Ideally a resident of the Pacific Islands (candidates in Australia will be considered) with deep regional ties, capable of travel and time away from home, including across the Pacific and in Australia. An understanding of Greenpeace, activism, national and international government processes, and environmental challenges in the Pacific is desired.
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples: You will bring your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage and an in-depth understanding of environmental issues as they affect Indigenous peoples, to support and strengthen GPAP’s internal understanding, capacity, and knowledge.

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates should make their application by applying here.

Please upload an abbreviated resume (2 pages max) in PDF format. 

Please note that the Short Professional Biography you provide in the application form and your LinkedIn profile will be used in the evaluation process and presented at the AGM if recommended. 

If you are not already a member of the GA, you must also apply for membership. As part of the application form, please ensure you select the correct category in order to apply for either Board only or both the Board and GA.

All applications must be received by 5pm (AEDT), 27 February 2025. Upon assessment of applications, the GPAP Nominations Committee will seek to recommend suitable candidates to the GPAP Board and GA. A recruitment decision will be made by vote of the current GA at the GPAP Annual General Meeting, scheduled for 24 May 2025.

JUSTICE AND BELONGING 

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We recognise that individuals from under-represented groups, including but not limited to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Pasifika peoples, People of Colour, women, non-binary and gender diverse individuals, LGBTQIA+ communities, and people living with a disability, may face unique barriers in the job application process. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Your unique experiences and perspectives contribute to the richness of our team. We value and celebrate diversity, and we are excited to welcome candidates from all backgrounds.

This is a primarily voluntary role, in line with our charity’s culture and governance approach. However, to help support greater diversity and inclusion, we have introduced a Special Circumstance Discretionary Contribution for Directors who may require financial assistance to participate fully.

GPAP is committed to making reasonable adjustments for candidates with access needs during the recruitment and selection process. If you require adjustments or the application process poses an issue for you, please contact GPAP's Company Secretary at company.secretary.au@greenpeace.org.

NOTE THE FOLLOWING, INDICATIVE TIMELINE FOR RECRUITMENT