WE'RE HIRING

Advocacy Manager

The annual salary for this position is $55,000-$62,500. To apply submit resume and cover letter to jobs@foodbankofalaska.org.

Summary

 

The Advocacy Manager works closely with the Chief Advocacy Officer to implement a public policy agenda that increases awareness and advances the Food Bank’s mission to end hunger in Alaska. The Advocacy Manager will continue to develop Food Bank of Alaska’s position of anti-hunger leadership in the state through strong relationships with partners at the local, state, and national levels and will work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders; promote nutritious, dignified, and affordable food access. This position requires foundational skills in project administration, network development, event planning and  management, and a genuine willingness to learn. 

Essential Job Duties

• Assist Chief Advocacy Officer to develop and implement a public policy agenda that advances Food Bank of Alaska’s mission to end hunger in our state.
• Conduct outreach and facilitate listening sessions with partner agencies, and employ other tactics to identify, engage, and prepare low-income community members to be effective advocates and leaders in the fight against hunger and poverty
• Regularly advise, consult and inform state and local policy makers and staff regarding issues affecting hunger and nutrition
• Educate agencies and partners on public policy and partner with key agencies to build their advocacy capacity
• Create and distribute policy briefs, talking points, action alerts, and support materials
• Participate in research efforts with community partners to develop Food Bank of Alaska's position as the clearinghouse on local and national hunger and poverty statistics
• Community education about hunger and root causes through formal presentations, interviews, and relationship management (as related to public policy)
• Attend policy conferences, forums, and similar events and share acquired information with employees and other stakeholders
• Track and report advocacy activities
• Be an engaged member of the Advocacy Department and Food Bank of Alaska team
• Supervise other advocacy staff as assigned

Manage the Alaska Food Coalition (AFC)

• Build and maintain relationships with new and existing coalition partners across the state
• Work with existing AFC members and steering committee to activate coalition members around policy issues relating to hunger, including root cause issues
• Connect with existing advocacy groups around root cause issues and develop partnerships
• Engage coalition members through monthly teleconferences, action alerts, policy briefs, newsletters, face to face meetings, and other appropriate activities
• Report on coalition activities to the State of Alaska
• Lead AFC strategic planning process and outputs
• Direct and facilitate annual Juneau legislative fly-in for anti-hunger advocates
• Manage AFC mini-grant process

Learn more about the Alaska Food Coalition here.

Public Policy

• Educate and inform state and local elected officials and staff on hunger/root cause issues
• Build and maintain connections with state and local elected officials and staff in coordination with the Chief Advocacy Officer to advance policy agenda of addressing hunger and its root causes
• Maintain and develop legislative tracker(s) regularly and share with coalition members as appropriate
• Maintain and update lobbying and advocacy activity tracker(s)
• Support the Chief Advocacy Officer in federal and administrative advocacy efforts, activate coalition members as needed

 Grassroots Advocacy

• Create learning opportunities for individuals interested in anti-hunger advocacy
• Research, develop and coordinate grassroots campaigns and activities, including engaging our network in calls to action, email campaigns, and other efforts as appropriate
• Inform online and digital advocacy efforts, including advocacy information and calls to action through social media, and Food Bank of Alaska's website
• Identify, engage, and prepare people with lived experience of hunger to be effective advocates for their own stories
• Work across Food Bank of Alaska's departments to build meaningful neighbor relationships and coordinate story collecting and advocacy efforts 

Qualifications

• Ideal candidates will have a BA in a related field and plus a minimum of 2 years’ experience in policy, grassroots organizing, coalition building or management, or similar areas
• Strong communication skills; demonstrated ability as a capable writer, a comfortable public speaker, and a skilled, proactive interpersonal communicator
• The ability to build relationships, foster partnerships, and work collaboratively
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines, and the ability to shift from detail-oriented work to big-picture strategy
• Demonstrated experience working with groups in a collaborative fashion to form and achieve common goals.
• Knowledge and awareness of the Alaska Legislature and the legislative process
• Demonstrated experience and comfort with technology
• Valid Alaska driver’s license and the willingness to travel in Alaska