1. CHRIS HARRIS
CURRICULUM VITAE - RESUME
Personal details Contact details
Chris S. Harris 38b Shelley Drive
Born: Cardiff, Wales Byron Bay, NSW 2481, Australia.
Date of Birth: 22 August 1955 Mobile: (Aust) +61 411 509322
Citizenship (dual Australian/UK) Email: cshbyron@gmail.com
Working rights (automatic) – EU, Aust, NZ
This document is set out as follows:
Section Page Numbers
Section 1 – Summary of skills and experience 2
Section 2 – Short career summary 2 - 3
Section 3 – Current and past work history 3 - 5
Section 4 – Key skills and experience 5 - 6
Section 5 – Summary of major accomplishments 6 - 7
Section 6 – Education, other skills, research reports 8 - 9
ABOUT ME
I am an senior manager who has worked for environmental, Aboriginal and political organisations
for more than 30 years. During this time I have worked in a wide range of roles including roles as
CEO, Program Director, lobbyist, spokesperson/media officer, campaigner, logistics coordinator,
organiser and in organisations which have ranged from large mainstream groups to small direct
action community collectives.
I have lived and worked in Australia, Thailand, New Zealand, UK, France, Netherlands, the US, and
Canada and have also lived as a child in Egypt and South Africa. I have traveled extensively
including long periods in South America and Asia.
I am passionately committed to a planet with more equity and justice and a better environment and
believe that those issues are inextricably entwined and can also not be separated from a sustainable
economy; one where we live in a society not an economy.
My experience leads me to believe that effective organisations are ones which operate collectively
through teams; where there are clear goals and strategies and where those goals and strategies are
put into action via an implementation plan which has clear timeframes and regular evaluation.
Both collective and individual action are critical and that we need strategies that are innovative and
creative but at the same time do not ignore the need for stability and direction. We need to take
opportunities to build alliances with groups and individuals that can assist us in our goals.
2. Good organisations and good plans and policies are built on shared values but also shared
experiences and friendships which offer opportunities to build relationships by ensuring that we all
have a balanced life that includes work and recreation.
SECTION 1. SUMMARY – SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
20 years experience in senior management positions (General Manager, Executive Director
and Campaign Director).
Wide knowledge of sustainability learnt over 30 years working on land management
planning, campaigns, and on environmental, indigenous and social change issues
Professional journalist with extensive media training and experience
Two years as senior advisor in Australian Parliament and as a lobbyist
Strong project management and research skills
Financial management skills
Leadership, negotiating and evaluation skills
Excellent communication and research skills
Diverse international work experience (Asia, EU – various, Australia, NZ, US)
SECTION 2. SHORT CAREER SUMMARY
With the exception of a short period working as a journalist during 1980-81, I have worked in the
non-Government and semi-Government sector since 1981, when I started work for the Wilderness
Society, in Hobart, Australia.
During this period I also took two sabbaticals, between 1991/92, a time I spent in North and South
America, and during 2006 when I purchased and renovated a property in Australia.
My immediate past employment was with Australian Greens as the National Campaign Coordinator.
My past working career can be divided into five parts:
2011-2014: Australian Greens – National Campaign Manager – 2011/2014. During this period, I
worked for the Australian Greens as their National Campaign Manager, working long hours under
pressure. I was required to have extensive knowledge of a range of social and environmental issues,
of political issues and processes, as well as electoral matters at national and state level. In this
capacity I managed the Greens research and advertising and a team of campaigners including a
social media campaigner, IT and web staff, and an assistant. I worked closely with the
Parliamentary staff, fundraisers and state campaign staff.ager, in which capacity I was responsible for
both ongoing campaigns and preparation for national election campaigns. The position required a
high level of organisational and negotiation skills.
2004 – 2010: Employed by Greenpeace: Throughout this period I worked for Greenpeace, both for
Greenpeace International and for National and Regional offices (NROs). Greenpeace, globally,
sought me out to assist in running NROs where there were either significant difficult/complex
management issues (Greenpeace France 2008-2009), where they were unable to find a sufficiently
skilled and experienced Director, locally, to run the office (Southeast Asia 2004-2005), or where
they needed a competent Director to act as replacement for a permanent person who was on leave
(Greenpeace New Zealand 2009-2010). In 2007 I ran the European EPR (European Pressurised
Water reactor) Campaign Project. I also carried out research for Greenpeace during these periods.
3. 1993 – 2003: Self-employed as consultant/contractor and researcher: I worked on a number of
personal projects and as a consultant for a number of leading environmental organisations in
Australia and for one business (see my full CV for a list of these research reports).
During this period I also set up and assisted in running three new non-profit organisations in
Australia:
The Mineral Policy Institute – working on the impacts of large scale mining projects in the
Asia-Pacific region and assisting affected communities in the region.
The Conservation Alliance – a grant making organisation for smaller environmental projects.
Environment Projects Australia (formerly Earth Share Australia) which manages and runs the
eGive.org.au web site an online business portal for small non-profits.
Of these MPI and EPA are still going concerns and I continue to be a Director of EPA and to run the
eGive web portal on their behalf.
1985-1991: Employed by the Northern Land Council and Jurnkurakurr Aboriginal Resource Centre
(JARC) as a General Manager and senior land management officer.
During this period I managed one of the largest community council organisations in the Northern
Territory (JARC) and worked on a range of planning, land management, environmental, development
and tourist related issues for Aboriginal organisations in the Northern Territory.
Initially, I had a three year contract for the Northern Land Council, the largest Aboriginal
organisation in Australia, during which period I set up and ran their Parks and Tourism unit, advising
traditional owners on environmental management and tourism development.
Subsequently I managed an Aboriginal Resource Centre in Tennant Creek (central Australia). In
1996, as a result of both my environmental work and my work for Aboriginal organisations, the
Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation commissioned a colleague and me to write a report
addressing conflicts between environmental organisations and Aboriginal people.
1981-1985: Employed by the Wilderness Society: During this period I worked as firstly a
campaigner, then as the National Liaison Officer (national media and political officer) for the
Wilderness Society and finally as the co-Director. During this period the organisation succeeded in
making the campaign against the Franklin River dam the biggest environmental issue in Australian
history, culminating in the intervention of the Federal Government to halt dam construction. During
1983, due to my media and coordination experience, I was also asked to manage and coordinate
work during the Federal election campaign on behalf of 18 leading environmental groups who were
opposing the Franklin dam.
Other - 1992/3: Sabbatical in North and South America.
2006: Purchased and renovated a property in Australia.
SECTION 3 – CURRENT AND PAST WORK HISTORY
CURRENTLY – On long leave until late October/early November 2014
4. IMMEDIATE PAST EMPLOYMENT:
• National Campaign Manager Australian Greens - Between 2011 and 2014, I worked for the
Australian Greens as their National Campaign Manager, in which capacity I was responsible
for both ongoing campaigns and preparation for national election campaigns. My work
involved coordination of the Greens campaigns which require the agreement of 8 states and
territories and the Federal parliamentary party.
During this period I and the other staff were successful in improving the national structure
and its previously limited operations to one where a number of key projects and campaigns
are increasingly managed on a national level through a variety of cooperative structures.
• Renovating and managing a property in NE Victoria (March 2010 to February 2011)
• Interim Campaigns Director (CD) Greenpeace New Zealand (replacing permanent CD
while she takes maternity leave) – May 2009 to March 2010. Responsible for campaigns,
communications, actions, political and volunteers units (12 people). Campaigns include
climate and oceans.
• Campaigns Director at Greenpeace France 2008/2009. Responsible for campaign team of
13 working on oceans, forests, climate and genetically modified organisms.
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT:
• July 2007 – Jan 2008: Working on and managing project development of Avalon House, NE
Victoria and on eGive Systems (ongoing projects over last few years) and doing research for
GPI on APEC meeting.
• April – June 2007 – Research project for GPI on coal developments in Asia.
• February-April 2007 – Campaign against European Pressurised Water Reactor Project
Coordinator for Greenpeace International, coordinating work of GPI and seven European
offices on nuclear issues.
• Nov-Dec 2005 - Unit Manager Cordell Jigsaw Films – working on four part documentary
for Australian Broadcasting Corporation on the Murray Darling River System (completed
December 22, 2005)
• March 2005 until October 17 – self-employed working on own projects and writing
briefing paper for Greenpeace International on Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
• April 2004 – March 2005 – Campaigns Director, Greenpeace Southeast Asia.
• 2003 – Community Development Manager for New Tel Communications (company went
into liquidation November 2003)
1995-2002 – In these years I worked on a variety of projects for different organisations on a part-
time basis. A number of these roles over-lapped and I worked on these projects concurrently. These
included:
• Executive Director of Earth Share Australian Foundation between its founding in 1995 and
2004 (resigned March 2004), but continue to perform this role voluntarily as acting-EO.
5. • Coordinator for the Conservation Alliance between its foundation in 1995 and 2003.
• Executive Director, Mineral Policy Institute from its founding in 1995 until December 1997
(resigned)
• March 1994 – November 1994 – Campaigns Manager for Greenpeace Australia
• 1993 – 1994 – Director International Rivers Network, Berkeley, California.
• 1991 – 1992 – Two year sabbatical travelling and working voluntarily for various groups in
North and South America (eg Western Canada Wilderness Committee, GABB – Bio Bio
Action Committee etc)
• 1989 - 1990 – Coordinator Jurnkurakurr Aboriginal Resource Centre, Tennant Creek
• 1988 – Uranium/mining policy advisor to Senator Norm Sanders, Parliament House
Canberra.
• 1985-1988 – Senior Advisor Parks and Tourism for Aboriginal Land Council (Northern
Land Council), Darwin, NT.
• 1981 – 1985 – Wilderness Society, Australia various roles:
• 1981 Campaign Coordinator
• 1982 National Liaison Officer (Media and Political Manager), Canberra
• 1983 Franklin Blockade media coordinator and national election Campaign
Manager.
• 1984-85 National Co-director
SECTION 4 - KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
SENIOR MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE:
Management experience includes National Campaign Coordinator for the Australian Greens,
Campaigns Director for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, Greenpeace France and Greenpeace NZ,
General Manager of the Jurnkurakurr Aboriginal Resource Centre - JARC (30 staff, budget $5 million)
Executive Director of The Wilderness Society, Campaigns Manager for Greenpeace Australia,
Executive Director of the International Rivers Network.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Major Projects managed include coordinating Nuclear EPR work in Europe for GPI in 2007, being
the principal coordinator of the 1983 Federal Election Campaign on behalf of the combined
environment groups, and organisation of major concerts, rallies, speaking tours. Almost all my work
over the last 10 years has involved development and/or management of major projects in diverse
areas from major international conferences (Greenpeace SEA participation in the 2004 CITES
conference) to grass roots events such tours by youth groups such as the Solar Generation.
COMMUNICATION, WRITING and PUBLIC SPEAKING
Trained as a journalist, 1981. Was the media liaison officer for the Wilderness Society in Melbourne
and Strahan, 1982-83 and have been a regular radio and TV spokesperson for various organisations.
This area includes experience in public speaking and presentation.
6. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
In common with most senior management positions, all the positions I have occupied over the last
15 to 20 years have involved financial supervision and budget management. My most recent job, in
Southeast Asia, involved supervision of the Greenpeace SEA campaigns budget for 15 staff and
control of various international grants from Greenpeace International. As the Executive Director of
the Earth Share Australia Foundation, the Wilderness Society, the International Rivers Network and
the Coordinator of the JARC, financial management skills have been an essential part of the work in
these organisations.
CROSS-CULTURAL SKILLS
I lived most of my childhood in Africa and Asia and have dealt with cross-cultural issues all my life.
My work with Aboriginal organisations, with the Mineral Policy Institute, with the International
Rivers Network and with Greenpeace Southeast Asia has required me to operate in complex cross-
cultural contexts involving different languages, backgrounds, and ethnicity, including managing staff
with widely differing ways of operating.
ORGANISATIONAL and SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT SKILLS
In setting up the Mineral Policy Institute, the Conservation Alliance and the Earth Share Australia
Foundation, a high level of organisational knowledge, skills and experience has been necessary. The
organisation or major public events (such as rallies and public speaking tours) also requires a high
level of organisational skill
STAKEHOLDER LIAISON AND NEGOTIATION
All my work in recent years has involved working with a wide variety of stakeholders, many holding
widely different political and cultural perspectives. This has included stakeholders in the non-profit,
Government and business sectors. In recent years a significant part of my work has been in building
community-business partnerships.
FUNDRAISING
Setting up and working with new organisations such as the Mineral Policy Institute, the Conservation
Alliance and the Earth Share Australia Foundation has given me a strong background in, knowledge
of and successful track record of fund raising. I have been successful in raising project and
organisational funds from foundations, Government and individuals.
COMPUTER AND INTERNET SKILLS
Good computer skills including knowledge of Word, Access, Excel and html. Knowledge of the
internet including web development and on-line e-trading.
NEGOTIATION SKILLS
My work in advocacy and as the National Liaison Officer for the Wilderness Society, has given me
good negotiation skills.
SECTION 5 - SUMMARY OF MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE 1995
National Campaign Coordinator – Australian Greens – Three and a half years managing election
campaigns for the Australian Greens and developing and expanding the campaign capacity of the
Greens.
Campaigns Director Greenpeace – Two successful terms as Campaigns Director at Greenpeace
France and Greenpeace NZ.
7. Coordinated major international project for GPI (2007) – EPR Nuclear project coordinating the
work of GPI and seven national offices in Europe.
Acted as Campaigns Manager for Greenpeace SEA (2004) providing effective campaign direction
and management leadership in the organisation, including substantially overhauling the direction of
the organisation as a whole and resolving a range of internal conflicts.
Established (1997) and managed Earth Share Australia a non-profit foundation for the environment
movement that specialises in developing partnerships between businesses and the community sector
and which coordinates fund raising for environmental and other community groups as well as other
activities including training for non-profits. This work is carried out on a voluntary part-time basis.
Established and managed the Mineral Policy Institute (1995) Australia’s leading specialist non-profit
organisation working on the impacts of large scale mining projects, raising $200,000 for its
operations. MPI employed six staff at that time.
Established (1996) the Conservation Alliance, a non-profit alliance of seventeen leading outdoor
businesses which fund environmental projects in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific
Funded and ran the first Environment Movement Training Conference in 1996 and coordinated the
development of the proposed national social change training centre
SECTION SIX – EDUCATION, OTHER SKILLS, RESEARCH
Education and other skills
HSC - Economics and Political Affairs, History and English.
BSc (Hon) Politics and Economics.
Languages: French (very good); Spanish (basic conversational with some practice)
Climbing (lead climb course completed)
Open water diver (advanced)
Boat handling (moderate)
Driving (car, bus, truck, motorcycle)
Computer skills (all required MS/Open office programs)
Other roles
I am continue to manage the online web portal eGive services (donation and online management
services for small NGOs) on behalf of Environment Projects Australia. This is a role carried out on a
voluntary basis.
Research reports and other writing
1996. For Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation: Reconciliation in the Environment Sector –
Joint author with Kevin Guy. Examined potential obstacles to reconciliation between
environment groups and indigenous groups and recommended solutions.
February 1988. Tourism, Access and Land Management in North-west Arnhem. Contracted to:
Northern Land Council. This report examined proposals to develop tourist access in this remote
part of the Northern Territory, considered the environmental and social implications of the
tourism proposals and recommended ways to deal with these issues. Consultations with the
traditional Aboriginal owners of the region was carried out to ascertain their views on the
proposals prior to drawing up recommendations for a regional tourism strategy.
8. June 1989 - Living Conditions on Aboriginal Outstations in the Barkly Region. For Jurnkurakurr
Aboriginal Resource Centre, Tennant Creek. This reports contributed substantially to focusing
increased attention on the appalling living conditions experienced by Aboriginal people in this
region.
August 1989 - A Fair Go for the Barkly - Funding for Aboriginal Organisations in the Barkly.
This reports contributed substantially to gaining an increase in funding for Jurnkurakurr
Aboriginal Resource Centre.
August 1990 - Still Saying No - Ten Years After Fox - A submission to the Resource Assessment
Commission, on proposals to mine in the Kakadu Conservation Zone; for the Environment
Centre Northern Territory.
February 1991 - Options for the Development of a Pulpmill in Tasmania (draft only) - An
examination of possible alternatives to a chlorine bleaching kraft pulpmill in Tasmania; A report
for the Tasmanian Green Independents
March 1991 - Responses to the Resource Assessment Commission's Draft Report on the
Kakadu Conservation Zone; for the Australian Conservation Foundation.
February 1993 - Gurig National Park Plan of Management - Identification of major issues of
concern to traditional owners; A report for the Northern Land Council
March 1993 - Issues relating to uranium mining at Jabiluka and Koongarra leases within
Kakadu National Park - Issues for the consideration of the Environment Centre, Northern
Territory; A report for the Environment Centre, NT.
April 1993 - The Inter-Governmental Agreement on the Environment - Its impact on the
Protection of the Environment and related matters; A report for the Australian Conservation
Foundation.
Co-author, with Lyn Allen, of "Kakadu, Our Land, Our Heritage" which deals with Aboriginal
attachment to the land, and with tourism, environmental and mining issues in Kakadu, a soft
back magazine format publication of 60 pages which sold 20,000 copies.