Greenpeace - International Executive Director

© Maxwell Balmain / Greenpeace

Letter from the Board

Welcome to the IED Candidate Pack

When Marie Bohlen first suggested sailing into the path of a nuclear bomb just over fifty years ago, it was never with the intention of creating an organisation. The plan, founded on the principles of nonviolent direct action and bearing witness, was simple: sail into the test site and stop the bomb.

And so, on 15 September 1971, a barely seaworthy ship (re) named the Greenpeace set out to confront and stop US nuclear weapons testing on Amchitka Island, southwest Alaska.

The crew of 12 never reached the test zone. But the contagious nature of their courage and audacity, along with their savvy and novel use of media to tell the story of peace, ecology and confronting power, helped spark a movement. That movement saw the end of US nuclear testing at Amchitka the very next year.

Since then, Greenpeace has grown into a global network. Today, we have a presence in over 55 countries, made possible by its 100 million supporters and grassroots allies.

The last 52 years of Greenpeace is this story. We have always been part of a movement of people willing to put their hope into action to create a better future for us all. We find that same hope when we trace our roots back to the peace, environment, youth, anti-war, civil rights and women’s rights movements. We find that same hope in campaigns and actions around the world today. It is that hope and action we have needed during the immense challenges of the

last two years. And which we will need in great measure to address the catastrophic challenges we face from the Climate Emergency and Biodiversity Crisis that are upon us.

Today we look for the next visionary leader of Greenpeace International. Are you that unique individual who will provide strategic leadership and alignment at this unique moment in time? Do you have the vision to strengthen our network and be a champion of our global and national campaigns? Do you have the passion to inspire millions of supporters around the world to join the fight? And do you have the deep commitment to justice and equity that must be at the centre of any and all solutions to the Climate Emergency? Do you have the courage to confront unjust power structures and challenge mindsets because it is only through the billion acts of courage made by people globally that the world can be changed?

It is this hope that unites us as a movement, wherever we are in the world, and that keeps us standing in solidarity with one another even in the most challenging of times.

We hope you will join and stand with us.

Marcello Iniarra and David Tong Interim Board Co-Chairs - Greenpeace

International Executive Director

International

© Martin Katz / Greenpeace

About Greenpeace

Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning network, which uses peaceful, creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems, and develop solutions for a green and peaceful future. Our vision is for a greener, fairer, safer planet; one that can sustain life for generations to come. We cannot build this future alone, but we can build it together. If you are passionate about defending our natural world and creating positive change, then we want to hear from you. The heart of Greenpeace has always been its people. Whether you are working in Campaigns, Communications, Engagement, Logistics, Fundraising, Legal, IT/Data, Finance, People & Culture, or Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, we all have an important role to play. Greenpeace exists because this fragile earth deserves a voice. It needs solutions. It needs change. It needs action. It needs you.

Our Mission

Our goal is to ensure the ability of the earth to nurture life in all its diversity. That means we want to:

• Protect biodiversity in all its forms.

• Prevent pollution and abuse of the earth’s ocean, land, air and freshwater.

• End all nuclear threats.

• Promote peace, global disarmament and non-violence.

Our Structure

Greenpeace is a global campaigning network. It comprises 26 independent national/regional organisations (NROs), and a coordinating organisation, Greenpeace International. Please see the map here for our presence in over 55 countries across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.

Greenpeace International’s role within the Greenpeace network includes the following:

• Facilitating the setting of the long-term global campaign strategy (The Framework).

• Creating a tight strategy for the global network, so that NROs can implement campaigns, and then providing the evaluation of such campaigns.

• Supporting the campaigns carried out by NROs to make sure they are

consistent with and contribute to the global campaign programme.

• Operating the Greenpeace fleet.

• Monitoring NROs’ strategic and financial performance.

• Developing Greenpeace presences in new priority regions.

• Providing fundraising, HR, training, scientific and legal support to NROs.

• Managing and protecting the Greenpeace trademark.

• Providing cost-effective IT/web support to NROs.

Greenpeace International employs approximately 350 land-based staff (residing in 39 countries), plus approximately 100 ships’ crew members (residing in 34 countries). Greenpeace International is the registered name of Stichting Greenpeace Council, a foundation (stichting) incorporated in the Netherlands, with its office address in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Our Values

Greenpeace’s work is based on a number of principles. They are reflected in all our campaigns, and they guide whatever we do, wherever we do it.

• Personal responsibility and nonviolence. We take action based on conscience. This means we are accountable for our actions and take personal responsibility. We are committed to peacefulness; everyone on a Greenpeace action is trained in nonviolence.

• Independence. We do not accept money from governments, corporations or political parties. Individual contributions, together with grants from foundations, are the only source of our funding.

• Greenpeace has no permanent friends or foes. If your government or company is willing to change, we will work with you to achieve your aims. Reverse course, and we will be back. What matters isn’t words, but actions.

• Promoting solutions. It’s not enough for us to point the finger; we develop, research and promote concrete steps towards a green and peaceful future for all of us.

Read more about working for Greenpeace here.

International Executive Director

© Marten van Dijl / Greenpeace

The Role

Role International Executive Director Preferred Location Amsterdam, The Netherlands Salary

International Executive Director

Purpose of the Job

The International Executive Director (IED) is an inspiring and visionary leader for the Greenpeace network and its 100 million supporters and grassroots allies who work throughout the world to sustain the planet and people.

They provide leadership, ensure coherence and strategic alignment, and build the capacity of the Greenpeace global network. All the while ensuring strategic guidelines approved by the Greenpeace International Board are maintained, in order to protect our planetary boundaries while confronting unjust power structures and challenging mindsets.

Major Functions

• Provides vision and strategic leadership for the achievement of the global mission and objectives of the Greenpeace network.

• Leads and supervises Greenpeace International Operations.

• Acts as an International Chief Spokesperson and Ambassador with world leaders and relevant international stakeholders in alignment with the Programme Director and other Executive Directors in the National/Regional Organisations (NROs).

• Champions and inspires Greenpeace’s iconic campaigns, Non-Violent Direct Action (NVDA) initiatives and

The IED leads Greenpeace International’s (GPI’s) Strategic Management Team (SMT), composed of the Directors who manage the GPI programmes and operations.

For support in leading the global Greenpeace network, the IED convenes the advisory Global Leadership Team consisting of seven Executive Directors chosen annually from the 26 national/ regional organisations (NROs).

programmes to achieve high levels of ambition across the globe through empowering others to be their best selves.

• Ensures key liaison, leadership, alignment and coordination with Greenpeace’s National/Regional Organisations (NROs).

• Reports to the Greenpeace International Board.

• Assists with high level fundraising activities.

• Ignites, empowers and unleashes the imagination and disruption in Non-Violent Direct Action (NVDA) and alternative ways of campaigning and engagement of the movement.

International Executive Director

© Boy T Harjanto / Greenpeace

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Steers Greenpeace’s continued reflections on the challenges of the time and initiatives to address urgent issues of Climate Emergency and Biodiversity Crisis and their consequences for humanity.

• Fosters a cohesive approach to climate and environmental action and justice across the campaigning network, facilitating a shared understanding of intersectionality and the legacies of colonialism and what that means for Greenpeace as it tackles the extreme and urgent challenges of our time.

• Ensures a strong, strategic and cohesive network of global Greenpeace NROs, ensuring the development and implementation of a strategy for NROs development and support that maximises Greenpeace’s global effectiveness and impact.

• Conveys a positive attitude to Digital Transformation and champions our Technology Vision.

• Oversees the work of the SMT in guiding and ensuring:

- the effective operations of Greenpeace International and of the programmes, including managing approaches to risks,

- central operational functions and systems supporting the NROs and maximising alignment and organisation effectiveness,

- fundraising and engagement, and

- impactful use of the Greenpeace fleet in support of Greenpeace’s mission.

Communication and Representation

• Champions Greenpeace’s iconic campaigns and messages for climate justice and biodiversity protection.

• Acts as the chief spokesperson and ambassador for Greenpeace at key international events.

• Builds and fosters good relations with all other organisations willing to act for the protection of biodiversity and the climate.

• Leads Greenpeace to embrace innovative and creative digital technologies and other forms of communication in support of our campaigns and fosters cohesion throughout the network and their supporter bases.

Board Liaison

• Provides the main interface with the Greenpeace International Board and works closely with the Board Chair to ensure that the Board is an effective leadership mechanism to achieve Greenpeace’s mission.

• Reports regularly to the Board on the goals, budget and achievements of Greenpeace International and the network.

Values and Culture

• Greenpeace understands that great organisational culture is essential to delivering on our mission. We are looking for someone who shares this understanding and is energetically committed to building an excellent organisational culture to nurture a united team to succeed in achieving massive impact in the world.

• Greenpeace wishes the new IED to inspire and deepen a commitment to climate justice that puts people at the core. This may require embarking on a journey to embed a shared understanding of intersectionality and its implications for Greenpeace’s programmes and approaches. It also implies the promotion of the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Safety (JEDIS), in ways that ensure care and respect for all throughout the organisation.

International Executive Director

© Hernan Vitenberg / Greenpeace

Required Skills and Experience

• Understanding of global environmental issues and international politics, with an unwavering commitment to sustainability and to Greenpeace’s climate and environmental justice approach.

• Proven ability to rally different internal and external stakeholders around an inspiring vision.

• Demonstrated systems thinking with strategic and horizon scanning skills.

• Authentic and charismatic personality with the eloquence to deliver challenging but inspiring messages at a world leadership level.

• A strong understanding of different campaigning approaches to influence change, including rallying forms of action such as community organising.

• Strong commitment to Non-Violent Direct Action (NVDA).

• Evidenced ability to influence externally through vision, political skill and networking.

• Empowering leadership style, with evidenced ability to lead a complex organisation and international network alongside experience of bringing different stakeholders on a change journey.

Personal Attributes

• Strong emotional intelligence and people skills.

• A decisive ‘can do’ attitude combined with excellent consultative and listening skills.

• Demonstrating courage and assertiveness as well as empathy and humility, able to be both consultative and decisive.

• Demonstrated experience in all aspects of governance and accountability and familiarity with legal and compliance matters.

• Experience of fostering effective programme delivery, building support and working with allies, especially in the Global South.

• Demonstrated experience of creating an empowering and positive work culture, strong on values and truly embracing all forms of diversity.

• Demonstrated experience of thriving in multi-cultural and diverse contexts.

• A strong understanding and demonstrated practice of intersectionality and decolonisation and therefore a champion of Greenpeace’s values and commitments to Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Safety (JEDIS).

• Positive attitude towards digital and technology.

• Financial literacy at top management level.

• Fluent in English, oral and written, good knowledge of other languages is an asset.

Executive Director

• Personal commitment to social and environmental justice.

• Integrity, transparency and respect.

• Passion for Greenpeace’s mission and determination.

• Activist and campaigner spirit.

International

© Chris J Ratcliffe / Greenpeace

Benefits and Relocation Assistance

Benefits

In addition to your salary, we also offer further compensation and benefits:

• Pension Scheme contribution from the employer in the Be Frank sustainable pension fund. You may contribute additionally if you choose, but basic contribution is covered by the employer.

• Healthcare Contribution of 125,21 EUR per month gross regardless of the healthcare provider you choose.

• Our Healthcare insurance provider ONVZ also offers special rates if you wish to join them.

• Access to Employee Assistance Programme, consisting of 24/7 accessible and free to employee emotional support, practical support, and coaching services.

• Annual holidays - 30 per annum based on full time plus 3 additional collective holidays granted by Greenpeace International.

• NS Business Card which provides free travel on public transport (with exception of first-class travel and Intercity Direct) within the Netherlands (this is valued at approximately 2000 EUR per annum).

Here is a more detailed description of our benefits policy.

Relocation Assistance

For candidates that are based outside of the Netherlands, we will offer relocation support. It includes:

•Access to moving services.

•Cover of school fees for children (if applicable).

•Access to services of our Relocation Agent (this includes house finding services).

•If required, first month stay in the temporary accommodation.

•Reimbursement of reasonable additional settling-in costs, up to a maximum of 1,150 EUR net.

• Reimbursement of travel to the Netherlands and GPI office.

• Annual trip home.

International Executive Director

© Lucía Alejandra Prieto / Greenpeace

How to Apply

All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button on the job advert page, complete our online application form, and submit your CV and cover letter as two different documents, which should be prepared before applying as they will be considered in the application process. The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

The document should be saved in PDF in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (mmyy) e.g., Malika-Jones-CV-042023-GreenpeaceInternational or Malika-Jones-CoverLetter-042023-GreenpeaceInternational.

All applications will be treated with the highest levels of confidentiality and Oxford HR will respect preferred means of communication with all applicants and interested parties.

Timeline

Closing Date

2nd June 2023

First stage interviews with Oxford HR

Week of 21st June 2023

Second stage interviews with the recruitment committee at Greenpeace

12th – 21st July 2023

Leadership Impact Assessment (a suite of three personality measures together with a business reasoning test)

Week of 31st July 2023

Third stage interviews with the Board of Greenpeace International (in-person in Amsterdam)

23rd – 30th August 2023

Equality Statement

Greenpeace International is an equal opportunity employer with a longstanding commitment of providing a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual. We recognise and value the benefits and strengths that diversity brings to our employees and the whole organisation and we thrive in an environment that encourages respect and trust. We do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship, colour, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic and would like to invite you to apply.

Get in Touch

If you would like to have an informal discussion, have any queries, or need additional information please email at greenpeace-international-ied@oxfordhr.com in the fi rst instance.

Selection Process

All candidates will receive an update regarding their application after the closing date. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder.

International Executive Director

© Rodrigo Paiva / Greenpeace

About Oxford HR

Exceptional leaders can inspire change and propel purpose-led organisations towards reaching their worldchanging goals. Finding such leaders can be a challenge; and yet their transition into leadership is vital to an organisations mission and success.

Oxford HR is a global leadership consultancy dedicated to searching for and supporting remarkable leaders and teams in purpose-led organisations.

We understand the nuances of purpose-led leadership because we’ve worked in organisations across the breadth of the sector ourselves. We’ve also worked with such organisations since 1995; so we appreciate just what benefits impactful people can bring.

© Sungwoo Lee / Greenpeace