The Chief Advocacy Officer (CAO) position is an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated, mission-focused leader in policy advocacy. Reporting to CEO, the CAO works to educate, motivate, and empower a broad spectrum of anti-hunger stakeholders to promote solutions to hunger and advance the organization’s anti-hunger policy agenda and advocacy goals. Working within a fast-paced environment, this position requires a self-motivated individual with a solid understanding of and interest in hunger and poverty issues, and with experience in policy analysis and working and communicating with a variety of audiences. This position serves as an internal and external resource on policies, research and issues that affect FBA, our member agencies, and the clients we serve. This full-time exempt position that reports to the Chief Executive Officer. The range for this position is $75,000 – $95,000 DOE. To apply send resume and cover letter to jobs@foodbankofalaska.org 

Planning and Management
Participates as a key member of management team, with responsibility for input on all major decisions for FBA’s future. Takes an active role in strategic plan development and implementation for Food Bank of Alaska. Supports strategic planning efforts related to our advocacy work, collaborating with other departments as needed to reach goals and maximize impact. Manages advocacy and outreach related grants and associated workplans. Supervises advocacy and outreach staff.

Advocacy and Policy
Coordinates efforts to implement public policy priorities in line with FBA’s mission and goals.  Engages CEO, board members, key staff, Alaska Food Coalition members, and other organizations/groups in these efforts. Educates elected and appointed officials and other key leaders on the issue of hunger.  Builds and maintains relationships with elected officials and staff on the local, state, and federal level. Coordinates lobby days, meetings, and site visits with elected officials. Builds relationships with state and federal agencies that oversee the nutrition programs we participate in, including State of Alaska Department of Health, State of Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, and USDA Department of Agriculture. Monitors and influences legislation, providing local support and input on key public policy initiatives. Works collaboratively on public policy with Feeding America and other key national partners. Participates in key advocacy calls, campaigns, conferences, and meetings. Oversees any future efforts to recruit, manage and engage a grassroots advocacy corps. Ensures the Food Bank complies with applicable lobbying, campaign disclosure, and other laws and regulations; reports on lobbying activities as needed.

Communication and Public Engagement
Engages and educates community organizations, groups and individuals on hunger and other food security issues, and ways to get involved. Partners with the Chief Philanthropy Officer on external communications, including media coverage. Helps generate stories on a regular basis promoting FBA events, demonstrating the need, and sharing the impact of policies on real Alaskans. Works closely with staff in multiple programs and functions to ensure consistent organizational messages on hunger issues. Write and edit fact sheets, speeches, and policy memorandums as appropriate. Represents FBA at advocacy events, speaking engagements, coalitions, etc.

Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. Three to five years experience in public policy or a related field. Previous nonprofit experience preferred. Ability to successfully lead, inspire and motivate a team. Ability to work strategically and effectively throughout the organization. Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multifaceted demands. Ability to successfully handle multiple projects, prioritize work, and meet critical deadlines. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences. Communications and media experience a plus. Understanding of the legislative process and how policy is made. Coalition building and grassroots organizing experience a plus. Experience using quantitative and qualitative data to tell a story. Direct research and story collection experience a plus. Valid driver’s license and clean driving record. Willingness to travel and work outside normal working hours when necessary.  Commitment to organizational mission to end hunger.

Here are some of the amazing benefits that come with this position:  

• Hybrid/ flexible schedule opportunities.
• A Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield Gold plan with very low employee costs.
• Principle Dental and Vision at a very low cost to employees.  
• Free Life Insurance and AD&D. 
• Paid time off, starting with 3 weeks accrued in the first year, increasing every year to 6 weeks. 
• Approximately 13 paid holidays which include a full week in December. In addition, paid “snow days” when weather conditions force workplace closures.
• A 403b retirement plan with an employer match.  
• A Wellness Reimbursement Plan. 
• An outstanding team and work environment.  
• Administrative offices are pet friendly. 
• Regular fun events for staff with contests, prizes, and food. 
• A shared leave bank to cover employees when they have emergencies and have exhausted their personal leave.