Supervisory Board Member

Provided by: GP MENA ELECTION COMMITTEE

Date: July 04, 2024

For: Potential Supervisory Board candidates 

Request for Expression of Interest

Stichting Greenpeace MENA is seeking two candidates to serve as a supervisory board member voluntarily starting in July 2024. 

Please read the document below to learn about the criteria the Supervisory Board seeks in its  candidates.

Please note that the  Supervisory Board seeks candidates who will provide gender, age, race, ethnic and geographical diversity. The application process and deadline are mentioned at the end of this document. 

GP MENA BACKGROUND

Greenpeace exists because this fragile earth deserves a voice. It needs solutions. It needs change. It needs action. It needs YOU.

Since the early nineties, Greenpeace has been campaigning in the Middle East and North Africa region bringing about change for many of the environmental problems affecting people’s life and way of living.

In 2018, Greenpeace MENA (Middle East and North Africa) was established as the latest regional organization of the Greenpeace network that now consists of 25 independent national/regional organizations in over 55 countries across Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, as well as a coordinating body, Greenpeace International.

Greenpeace MENA will prioritize environmental problems from this important region, offering solutions for its people and working hand in hand with allies, local communities, thought leaders, and influencers  in order to push for a greener and more peaceful world. We aspire to help build, and be part of a vibrant environmental justice movement that puts the climate emergency and a just energy transition high on the social and political agendas.  We rely on traditional and digital campaigning to reach out and engage with more than 400 million Arabs at home and around the world – bridging the gaps between borders. 

Greenpeace MENA is a fast growing startup office with almost 30 team members. As our family grows, we become more representative of the rich culture and diversity of the region. 

Greenpeace MENA Vision

Together we will conserve the diversity and richness of our region’s natural treasures and communities so that our children thrive with dignity in a peaceful, sustainable, and just future.

At Greenpeace MENA, we work creatively and collaboratively to reduce the environmental, economic, and social impacts of climate disasters and push local and innovative solutions empowering our communities to flourish and live in harmony with their environment.

Greenpeace MENA values

Justice: We strive for justice in a world where diversity, inclusivity, and equity are woven into the very fabric of society.

Integrity: We commit to upholding trust, independence, transparency, and accountability in every aspect of our work and in all our interactions with our partners.

Empowerment: Through empowerment, we nurture the agility and collaboration essential for making a meaningful impact and effecting positive change.

Courage: We take a stand when others are unable to, and we do it with conviction and resilience, always speaking the truth.

Solution-Oriented: We believe in the power of innovation to drive impactful solutions for a greener and more sustainable tomorrow.

Current GP MENA Supervisory Board profile: 

The GP MENA Board consists of 5 members from Morocco, one Tunisia, one Syria, Egypt, and Lebanon. 

Basic criteria for new supervisory board members 

Collectively the Supervisory Board should provide skills, input, and experience representing the world at large, and in particular within the Middle East and North African region. Moreover members of the Supervisory Board should include people with a good understanding of the MENA region and the complexity it is operating in. This requires people with different backgrounds and expertise; for example a combination of Supervisory Board Members that brings together people with reputations in the fields of the environment, media, fundraising, finance, law, etc. 

Excluded are employees of any Greenpeace organization, and any former employees of any Greenpeace organization who have left such employment within one year. 

Independence from Greenpeace’s internal affairs, having no vested interest which might conflict with Greenpeace’s interests and objectives. 

With no direct employment and/or contract with any governments (i.e. cannot work for governments, ministries, embassies etc. – this does not include universities, schools or cultural institutions). 

With no material financial interest in any industry business or other entity that is considered a target of Greenpeace campaigns. 

Profile of new Supervisory Board members

In order to create a highly functioning Supervisory Board, GP MENA strives to achieve the right mix of competencies.  Reviewing the current Supervisory Board composition, as well as the upcoming organizational and environmental challenges, has led us to identify the following areas of experience/expertise and  demographic characteristics as critical. The Board election committee will weigh both specific and basic criteria when selecting candidates. 

From MENA region (preferably based in MENA) 

Ready for voluntary work

Availability and time commitment: (ad hoc issues; quarterly VC board meetings; face-to-face board meetings; board sub committee commitments) how many hours quarterly like 15 to 20 hours 

Flexibility 

Shared values with GP MENA 

Deep awareness of the cultural, political, economic, environmental and social context of MENA 

Women applicants are to be prioritized in order to ensure gender balance (currently the board is composed of 4 males, 1 female) 

Key Responsibilities of the GP MENA Supervisory Board

GP MENA Supervisory Board is the guarantor of the integrity of the organization and ensures adherence to internationally accepted good governance and financial management standards. The supervisory board is mainly responsible for:

Approval of the (multiyear) policy plan/strategy, such as the Three Year StrategicPlan and Organisational Development Plan;

Approval of the (multiyear) budget; Including the allocation of resources towards the mission and the agreed 3 Year plans.

Approval of reorganizations and/or restructurings where more than 10% of the staff is impacted;

Appointment of the external auditor as per Article 16 sub 3 of the Articles of Association;

Approval of the annual report and annual financial statements;

Remuneration policy of the Executive Director;

Open new branches/offices within the licensed territories;

Move the legal seat to another country/Move the office/operations to another country;

Fundraising policy; Volunteers policy; Organisational policies;

Other major decisions as determined by the organisation, such as decisions that have an impact on the relation with Greenpeace International and the Greenpeace network.

Supervisory board members serve voluntarily and are not remunerated for their work. They are selected based on their expertise, as well as a demonstrated commitment to Greenpeace’s mission and values within the region.

TENURE SUPERVISORY BOARD MEMBERS:

The Supervisory Board Member selected in this process will serve for three years. When they will stand for election to a three-year term with an option for re-election. 

REQUIRED SUPERVISORY BOARD MEMBER TIME:

It is essential that all applicants to the GP MENA Supervisory  Board deeply consider the required time contribution to be an effective GP MENA Supervisory Board member.

GP MENA Supervisory  Board applicants need to be able to have sufficient time to contribute to the Board work and participate on Supervisory Board Committees (as a guide, 15-20 hours per quarter).

The Supervisory Board meets 4 times per year,  with at least 1 time per year in Amsterdam, in person (provided this is possible of course) and rest virtually via Zoom. Meetings are also held when one of the Directors calls to convene.

Supervisory Board members search process: 

Potential candidates should send their CV and expression of interest form, which summarizes how their profile aligns with the key requirements, skills, and abilities of this role to this link no later than August 10, 2024.  

The GP MENA Election Committee will review the applications, select candidates for interviews, and conduct the interviews. 

The GP MENA election committee will treat all information pertaining to this recruitment process with the utmost care and  confidentiality.