Community Food Systems Program Associate
*Please note: Do not apply via Handshake. Please apply following the instructions below. Applications received via Handshake will not be reviewed.
The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) is looking for a full-time Community Food Systems Program Associate, based in our Minneapolis, Minnesota office.
Who are we?
IATP is a nonprofit think tank and policy advocacy organization with its headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. IATP works locally and globally at the intersection of policy and practice to ensure fair and sustainable food, farm and trade systems. We have a 35-year history of pursuing just and resilient food and agriculture policies that benefit family farmers, food and agriculture workers, rural communities and the planet. Our team of 17 staff work locally, nationally and globally, connecting the dots in the food system. We match high-level research and analysis with on-the-ground engagement to bring good policy into practice. In addition to Minneapolis, we have small offices in Washington, D.C. and Berlin, Germany.
Who are you?
You are an experienced professional who is comfortable in different cultural settings and turning your hand to a variety of tasks. You like to write, you are comfortable speaking in public, you are comfortable working autonomously but you value and understand team work. You pay attention to the details, you meet deadlines and manage your time accordingly. You keep good records and are as happy running the zoom platform for a public meeting as you are addressing that meeting. You are passionate about food systems, racial justice and inclusion, and you are curious about how local food systems interact with and differ from regional and global food systems and the rules that govern them. You understand work in a non-profit environment and are comfortable with the pivots such funding can require.
What will you do?
The Community Food Systems Program Associate will work with the Program Director to build vibrant community-based food systems that give all people access to sufficient, safe, culturally appropriate and nutritious food while also developing local food supply chains that will allow small- to mid-scale farmers to access a variety of new markets. The position will enhance the effectiveness of the Community Food Systems Program, supporting communications and outreach, as well as development and administrative tasks, including with research, writing, analysis, and grant writing and implementation.
Responsibilities:
The position has three main areas of responsibility: writing and outreach; program development and administration; and fulfilling project deliverables.
Writing, Publishing & Outreach
- Work with team to develop new resource materials to be shared with external partners
- Write blog posts, press releases and articles
- Contribute research, analysis and writing to support outreach and public engagement
- Coordinate with IATP communications team to develop and implement promotion strategies for published materials
- Represent IATP with the public, including in presentations and meetings with partners and funders
Administration
- Manage program logistics, reporting, databases and schedule
- Work with IATP finance team to administer the Farm to Early Care mini grants program and related expenditures.
- Coordinate partner meetings and manage follow-up tasks as needed.
- Assist with Farm to School and Early Care evaluation activities, including coordination of focus groups, administration of evaluation surveys, and processing and organizing the resulting data.
- Support Program Director and IATP development team with fundraising.
Program Projects
- Develop virtual and in-person training materials with Program Director and provide technical assistance to partners.
- Track trends in community food systems initiatives and policy, including state and federal regulations that impact small- to mid-size farmers and nutrition programs.
- Engage fully with partners and wider community food system coalitions on joint projects
- Support program’s state-level advocacy and lobbying
- Manage interns and coordinate work with consultants as needed
Preferred Qualities and Qualifications:
- Commitment to the mission of IATP and work of program staff; curiosity and eagerness to learn about our subject areas
- Knowledge of farm to school, food hubs or similar programs that link farmers and consumers, and community-based food systems.
- Exceptional communication skills; ability to translate complex ideas into accessible written materials and engaging oral presentations; comfortable speaking in group meetings and at conference presentations.
- Experience maintaining social media channels and web content.
- Experience in network list management and newsletter creation.
- Experience in meeting and event planning, coordination and facilitation, including virtual meetings.
- Experience in evaluation, data analysis, research, and organizing complex information.
- Self-motived, reliable and able to work independently.
- Well-organized and detail-oriented.
- Experience working with community members from a variety of backgrounds.
- Competence in a foreign language, particularly in Spanish, Hmong or Somali a plus.
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Some in-state travel and occasional out-of-state conferences.
Benefits and Compensation:
Compensation for this position is based upon qualifications and experience, with a starting annual range of $50,000-$60,000. IATP offers excellent health insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), paid vacation and holidays, sick leave, 403B retirement plan with employer match, employer paid life, AD&D and LTD insurance, and optional employer paid mobile phone plan. Enjoy a lively, collegial, flexible and dog-friendly work environment. This hybrid position is located in the Minneapolis office and requires a minimum of two in-person workdays per week.
How to Apply:
Please combine your resume, cover letter and a writing sample of your work into a single PDF and submit to jobs@iatp.org. Option to include a video sample. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis after June 1, 2022. No phone calls, please.
IATP is committed to the principle of equity. If your experience is close to what we’re looking for, please consider applying. Experience comes in many forms- skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. We know that diversity makes for the best problem-solving and creative thinking, which is why we’re dedicated to adding new perspective to the team and encourage everyone to apply.
IATP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, military status or any other characteristic as established by law.