Executive Director, Greenpeace-Mediterranean (Istanbul, Turkey)

Mission Talent has been tasked by Greenpeace Med with providing an exclusive search for the position of an Executive Director who is to:

• Provide leadership, vision and strategic direction to the organisation in accordance with Greenpeace’s core values and purpose and in co-operation with Greenpeace International;
• Be responsible for the management and administration of Greenpeace Med and work with the board to ensure proper governance and accountability;
• Ensure that Greenpeace Med plays a key role in developing Greenpeace International’s global presence and campaign programme and makes the best possible contribution to the organisation’s international objectives.

Roles & Responsibilities:

1. Leadership

• In partnership with the Board and with Greenpeace International, set strategic objectives and strategic priorities for the organisation, develop and nurture its philosophy and core values.
• Provide leadership and inspiration to staff and volunteers, and work with senior management to ensure a common vision and sense of purpose at every level.
• Maintain and strengthen the strong growth dynamic followed by GP Med.
• Ensure that there is a common understanding among staff, volunteers and other key stakeholders of the organisation’s vision, mission, strategic objectives and priorities, with a specific focus on the regional scope of GP Med.
• Ensure that staff and volunteers at all levels are focused on achieving these objectives and operate at all times in accordance with the organisation’s core values.
• Develop and foster an organisational culture that attracts retains and motivates staff and volunteers, and in which individuals constantly seek to learn and to improve their own performance and the performance of the organisation as a whole.

2. Strategic Development

• In partnership with the Board, with Greenpeace International and with senior staff members, develop the long-term strategy for the organisation within the core values and objects. Such a strategy should include the further development of Greenpeace presence in region.
• Ensure activities are developed, planed and implemented to strengthen the regional scope of GP Med activities and presence in the region
• Monitor, review and as necessary amend the strategy on a regular basis in response to the external environment and in partnership with the Board and with Greenpeace International.
• Monitor and review the external environment for changes and developments that may affect the organisation and in consultation with the Board take action to amend or implement new plans as necessary.

3. Governance & Relationship to the Board

• Ensure that the organisation fulfils all its legal statutory and regulatory responsibilities.
• Ensure that organisational risks are identified, understood and monitored and that there are systems in place to mitigate the risks, without compromising the organisation’s capacity for effective action.
• Ensure that the Board is kept informed of developments and activities that might significantly affect the organisation, and kept abreast of legal actions affecting the organisation or individuals within it.
• Take responsibility for the overall financial health of the organisation and ensure that appropriate financial and auditing systems are in place, so as to safeguard the organisation’s financial and other assets, and ensure the organisation is run efficiently and effectively.
• Provide the Board with regular reports as to the status of the organisation and progress against agreed plans, strategic objectives and board policies.
• Hold regular meetings with the Board Chair to discuss openly problems and progress, agree expectations, plan the programme and prepare for meetings with the full Board.
• In partnership with the Board ensure that the organisation has a governance structure appropriate to its size, objectives and mode of operation, which protects it from unnecessary risk and is in accordance with Greenpeace guidance and norms.

4. Operations

• Exert overall control of all aspects of the operation of the organisation, including the implementation and evaluation of its overall strategies and polices, its campaign, financial, marketing, communications and administrative programmes.
• Ensure that the organisation’s plans and policies are relevant, fair and consistently implemented and accord with our core values.
• Ensure that proper financial controls and practices are adhered to at all times.
• Ensure that appropriate annual business and organisational plans are developed, agreed and implemented.
• Identify relevant methods for monitoring the performance of the organisation and report to the board on performance against approved business, financial and operational plans.
• Take ultimate responsibility for all aspects of the operation of Greenpeace Med including the implementation and evaluation of its strategies, policies and programmes.
• Approve and take personal responsibility for all direct actions carried out in the organisation’s name.
• Participate in international meetings and discussions with colleagues from other Greenpeace offices.

5. Management

• Ensure that management structure and systems are appropriate to meet the organisation’s objectives and enable staff to carry out their work effectively and efficiently, maintaining a culture of risk taking, including regarding the ambitious rate of development GP Med wants to follow.
• Ensure that management policies and decisions are in line with the agreed strategic direction, priorities and core values of the organisation.
• Ensure that the recruitment, management, training and development of staff and volunteers are in line with good employment practice and directed towards achieving the organisation’s objectives.
• Take ultimate responsibility for the recruitment, induction, training and development of all staff, have in place proper disciplinary and grievance procedures.
• Ensure that directly managed staff is clear about their roles and responsibilities, held directly accountable for their work, achieve the highest possible standards and are appraised regularly.

6. Communications

• Foster good communications within the organisation, ensuring quality information flow between departments, in both directions within the management hierarchy and between the organisation and its volunteers.
• To develop the organisation’s public profile and foster appropriate and productive relations with for instance other non-governmental organisations, media organisations, and government, statutory and private bodies.
• Ensure continuous support to the digital strategy developed by GP Med team.
• Ensure that there are mechanisms in place to take account of the views of staff, volunteers and external stakeholders regarding both the performance of the organisation and potential areas for future attention.
• Represent the organisation and act as a spokesperson at public functions, meetings and to the media and support the development of efficient spoke persons in each country where GP Med operates.

Skills and Qualities:

• Total commitment to Greenpeace’s core values (bearing witness, nonviolent direct action, independence and internationalism) and to its mission and objectives.
• Commitment to positive direct action as a tool to achieve campaign objectives, and to coordinated international action.
• Ability to lead and inspire others, bring together individuals with strong personal commitment and potentially divergent opinions and engage with people from a range of backgrounds, cultures and viewpoints.
• Prepared to take ultimate responsibility for the actions and effectiveness of the organisation.
• High intellectual abilities; sound analytical and judgmental skills, and an ability to identify problems, assess options and make timely decisions.
• Breadth of thinking and ability to introduce and apply innovative and radical approaches.
• An international outlook and understanding of different cultures and outlooks.
• Ability to assess risk, both organisational and personal, and decide if it is justified.
• Willingness to push legal boundaries if the timing and the campaign aims’ justify it.
• Ability to translate strategic plans into reality and ensure delivery and performance.
• Ability to present an argument coherently and persuasively and negotiate effectively
• Ability to speak confidently and fluently in stressful and potentially antagonistic circumstances and to represent the organisation at all levels of public life.
• Flexibility and ability to manage rapidly changing situations decisively and effectively.
• Willingness to travel extensively in the region.
• Unquestionable personal integrity.

Experience and Qualifications:

1. Management

• A successful track record of management at executive level, in a substantial, complex organisation, in either the non-governmental, commercial or public sector.
• Direct experience of developing strategic plans.
• Experience of managing strong willed, committed individuals in a values-based organisation.
• Experience of board level relations and knowledge of governance in the non-governmental sector.
• Management experience in a range of disciplines including (some or all of) operations, marketing, finance, human resources, IT, campaigning, media, fund-raising and investigations.
• Experience of making best use of volunteers working alongside paid staff.

2. Campaign Experience

• Good knowledge of the environmental issues that are the focus of Greenpeace’s campaigns.
• Substantial knowledge of campaigning and advocacy as a strategy to generate change.
• Good understanding of regional politics, including a strategic view on relationship established by Turkey and Israel between each other and with Arab countries in the region and beyond.
• Good understanding of relationship between long lasting peace and sound management of natural resources and preservation of the environment.

3. Languages:

• Fluent English, plus an additional language from those spoken in the region (Turkish, Arab, Hebrew, French)

How to Apply:
Are you an excellent manager with strong leadership experiences? Are you courageous and a risk-taker? Are you perceived by others as sensitive to cultural diversity? If yes, then we would like to receive your application:

All applications must be submitted to Katja Schramm via applications@missiontalent.com stating GP-ED-MED/+your surname in the subject line. 

Kindly attach your relevant CV (in English) and a suitability statement (not more than 350 words), which summarizes how your profile aligns with the key job requirements and required skills and abilities of this role. 

Thank you in advance for your interest in this position. Please note that only candidates under serious consideration can be contacted.