General Assembly Member

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Greenpeace Australia Pacific Limited (GPAP) is seeking to appoint some new members to its General Assembly at the 2025 AGM. GPAP is seeking suitably qualified individuals to join the General Assembly who can contribute to the overall success of the organisation.

The General Assembly is the voting membership of GPAP and is made up of not less than 50 members.

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 and 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.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 

General Assembly members are the voting members of the organisation who participate in oversight of the organisation through the Annual General Meeting, any extraordinary general meetings or postal ballots. They are elected for a four (4) year term.

General Assembly members do not participate in the day to day operations or decision making. However they can exercise their power via a vote at the Annual General Meeting on important decisions that affect the direction of the organisation. Members of the General Assembly undertake a role similar to that of shareholders in a corporation.

The main responsibilities of the General Assembly are:

• Electing Board members;
• High level supervision of Board performance;
• Accepting the GPAP Annual Report; and
• Appointing the external auditor.

Some members of the General Assembly also contribute to organisational governance by joining a Board committee or working group. 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
6. Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group

Note that it is a requirement for all Board members to be members of the GPAP General Assembly, so those with a future, or current interest in joining the Board of GPAP are strongly encouraged to join the General Assembly in the first instance to build institutional knowledge.

SELECTION CRITERIA 

• Understanding of the General Assembly (mandatory) – Knowledge of the responsibilities and rights of members, and their role in meetings and committees, as outlined in GPAP's Constitution, available here: Our Constitution
• Strategic Understanding (mandatory) - Ability to ask strategic questions and contribute to effective decision-making by the General Assembly.
• Financial capability (mandatory) - Ability to understand the company's accounts and other financial material presented to the General Assembly.
• Legal and Risk (mandatory) - Basic knowledge of the legal, ethical and fiduciary duties of directors, legal compliance requirements of GPAP and/or risk management.
• Integrity and Independence (mandatory) – Acts with personal integrity, puts the interests of the organisation before personal interests and engages in robust questioning and discussion.

JUSTICE AND BELONGING 

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We also 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 individuals from underrepresented groups, including but not limited to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, Pasifika peoples, People of Colour, women, non-binary and gender diverse individuals, LGBTQIA+ communities, and people living with a disability 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.

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, please contact GPAP's Company Secretary at company.secretary.au@greenpeace.org.

AGM

The General Assembly meets once (1) per year for the GPAP Annual General Meeting. The AGM is conducted virtually. Applicants to the General Assembly need to be able to have sufficient time to contribute to the work of the General Assembly (approximately 2-3 days per year). 

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates should make their application by applying here. 

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

If you are a returning General Assembly member, we will only require a summarised CV for the last 4 years. 

Please note that the introduction you provide and your Linkedin profile will be used in the evaluation process and presented at the AGM. 

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 General Assembly. A recruitment decision will be made by vote of the current General Assembly at the GPAP Annual General Meeting, scheduled for 24 May 2025.