Sunday, January 27, 2013

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition: Policy Associate (Conservation and Farm Programs)

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is an alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities. NSAC is currently seeking a Policy Associate for conservation and farm program issues. This position is located at NSAC’s DC office on Capitol Hill.

NSAC’s Policy Associate will help to develop and implement policy and strategy focused on agricultural conservation, especially working lands programs, and on farm program reform, especially crop insurance programs. The Policy Associate will advocate before the US Congress and executive branch agencies, particularly the US Department of Agriculture. The Policy Associate will staff and help lead NSAC’s Conservation, Energy & Environment Issue Committee, and will also have assignments within NSAC’s Farming Opportunities and Fair Competition Committee. The associate will draft documents, including legislative language, policy papers, testimony, advocacy materials, and comments relating to USDA working lands conservation programs, climate change, crop insurance, and other issues. She or he will contribute to the organization’s annual planning and priority setting, budgeting, and fundraising; participate in the planning and execution of coalition-wide meetings; assist with grassroots and grasstops outreach; write policy blogs; represent NSAC at Conservation Coalition and other similar DC partner meetings; and represent NSAC at events and to the media. The Policy Associate, one of four Policy Associates at NSAC, reports directly to NSAC’s Policy Director.


Qualifications

- An understanding and passion for sustainable agriculture, including farm conservation and environmental protection and family farm livelihood and opportunity
- Knowledge of the federal policy-making process
- A minimum of three years Hill/lobbying experience or other agricultural policy experience
- Experience advocating in support of conservation programs or farm program reform is preferred
- Background with grassroots advocacy campaigns
- Excellent written and verbal communications and public speaking skills
- Experience with print, radio, and online media
- Experience with large, multi-organization grassroots coalitions
- Ability to both work independently and be a good team player
- Willingness to work around a demanding congressional schedule and administrative deadlines
- Willingness to travel domestically several times a year


Compensation and Benefits

Salary is on a non-profit scale and will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. NSAC offers an excellent employer paid benefits package and a lively and collaborative work environment.


Application

Please send resume, cover letter including an explanation of your interests in sustainable agriculture, salary history, and the names of three references to Emily Gilbert at egilbert@sustainableagriculture.net.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

UCLA Law Seeks Executive Director & Teaching Fellow for Food Law &Policy Program

The newly-launched Resnick Center for Food Law and Policy at UCLA School of Law is designed to bring world class policy analysis, research, and educational opportunities in food law and policy to UCLA, the broader community of Southern California, the nation and the world.  The Resnick Center is now accepting applications for two positions: Executive Director and Teaching Fellow.  Detailed descriptions of both positions follow.

Executive Director


The UCLA School of Law is seeking a highly energetic, experienced individual to be the Executive Director of a newly-established Program for the study and practice of food law and policy located at the UCLA School of Law.  The Program is designed to bring world class policy analysis, research, and educational opportunities in food law and policy to UCLA Law School, the campus, the broader community of Southern California, the nation and the world.

The Executive Director will plan and oversee all aspects of the Program, which are designed to support and expand research, policy analysis, and teaching (including clinical teaching) about food law and policy at UCLA School of Law. The Executive Director will help to develop the food law and policy curriculum, including substantive courses, clinical classes and externships.  The Executive Director will also supervise fellows, policy consultants, research assistants, student interns, and volunteers; engage in fundraising; and organize symposia and other academic programs related to the advancement of food law and policy. The Executive Director will work closely with the members of the food law faculty, and the advisory board of the Program to advance the Program’s goals.

Minimum requirements include an excellent academic record; a J.D., M.B.A. or equivalent advanced degree from a U.S. school; at least five years of successful food law and policy practice or experience; demonstrated management, administrative and organizational skills, with successful prior experience in fundraising or coordinating scholarly or professional conferences preferred; prior successful teaching experience and a record of publications concerning food law and policy topics preferred; a strong record of established relationships with other food law and policy professionals and with professional organizations preferred.

The salary and level of appointment will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.  This is a non-tenure track, academic position.

Confidential review of applications, nominations and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made.  Please send a resume, cover letter, and the names and addresses for at least two professional references to the attention of:

Edna Sasis,
Office of the Dean,
UCLA School of Law,
405 Hilgard Avenue
 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1476.

Email applications may be sent to sasis@law.ucla.edu.



Food Law & Policy Teaching Fellowship

This fellowship is a full-time, year-round, one academic-year position (approximately July 2013 through June 2014) with the possibility of renewal for a second year (through June 2015).  The position involves law teaching, legal and policy research and writing, preparing to go on the law teaching market, and assisting with organizing projects such as conferences and workshops.  No degree will be offered as part of the Fellowship program.

Eligibility
    •    Fellowship candidates must hold a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school and be committed to a career of law teaching and scholarship in the field of food law and policy.  Applicants should have demonstrated an outstanding aptitude for independent legal research, preferably through research and/or writing as a law student or through exceptional legal experience after law school.  Law Teaching Fellowship candidates must have strong academic records that will make them highly competitive for law teaching jobs.

Fellowship Requirements

The Fellowship program is year-round, over one academic year (with the possibility of renewal for a second year), during which time the Fellow will:

    •    complete at least one substantial scholarly publication and present the publication as a work-in-progress to the UCLA School of Law faculty;
    •    teach at least one class per academic year of the appointment;
    •    work closely with UCLA law faculty in order to observe and participate in teaching, as well as to complete a publishable scholarly piece;
    •    assist the Resnick Program’s Executive Director with other projects relating to the Program’s work, including organizing conferences and other events, research, publications, public education and outreach efforts;
    •    permit the Resnick Program to publish any article(s) resulting from the Fellowship—as long as such publication will not interfere with the Fellow’s ability to publish such articles in a law journal; and
    •    acknowledge the Resnick Program’s assistance in any published work that is facilitated by the Fellowship.

Fellowship Benefits
The unique features of this Fellowship include opportunities to:

    •    participate in the development of the newly launched Resnick Program for Food Law and Policy at UCLA School of Law
    •    develop expertise in food law and public policy;
    •    work with a faculty mentor;
    •    develop expertise in food law teaching;
    •    complete a published piece of research before entering the law teaching market;
    •    obtain faculty recommendations and support for law teaching jobs;
    •    participate in the rich mixture of scholarly symposia, invited lectures, and conferences of the Resnick Program for Food Law and Policy; and
    •    participate in UCLA School of Law’s rich interdisciplinary scholarly symposia, lectures, and conferences.

Application Material and Deadlines
To apply for the 2013-2014 Resnick Program for Food Law and Policy Teaching Fellowship, please submit the following materials by March 18, 2013:

    •    Cover letter summarizing the applicant’s qualification for the Fellowship
    •    Detailed research proposal, no more than 10 pages in length
    •    Description of teaching interests (course abstract and plan for class or seminar preferred)
    •    A list of published works, if any
    •    Resume or CV
    •    Official law school transcript
    •    The names of and contact information for three individuals who would be willing to provide written letters of reference (at least two must be academic references that focus on the applicant’s scholarly potential)

The salary is $59,000 per year, plus a competitive benefits package, and limited research and travel support.


Applications should be sent to:

Edna Sasis
Office of the Dean
UCLA School of Law
Box 951476
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1476

Email applications may be sent to sasis@law.ucla.edu.


________________________

Equal Opportunity Employer
The law school is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and has a special interest in enriching its intellectual environment through further diversifying the range of perspectives represented within the faculty.  UCLA seeks candidates committed to the highest standards of scholarship and professional activities and to a campus climate that supports equality and diversity.



Monday, January 7, 2013

EuroGroup For Animals: Policy Officer Sustainable Farming

Eurogroup for Animals has been the leading voice for animal welfare at European Union level since 1982.  Eurogroup for Animals provides a voice for the billions of animals kept in laboratories, farms and homes or living in the wild and work to create a Europe where animals are considered and valued as contributing to our well-being, prosperity and to the sustainability of our planet.
EuroGroup for Animals is looking to fill the position of Policy Officer, Sustainable Farming, which will report to the Executive Officer Policy.  The Policy Officer will provide policy support to Eurogroup and to Eurogroup’s member organizations, to lobby EU institutions and stakeholders and carry out part of Eurogroup’s Farm Animal activities in order to meet the organisation’s objectives.

Profile

  • Will be fluent in English, with at least one other EU language, ideally French and/or German;
  • Ideally have a scientific background (vet, zoology, agriculture);
  • Strong track record of lobby experience from an NGO perspective;
  • Demonstrated knowledge of EU public affairs;
  • Have a technical and commercial understanding of the issues, practices and strategy in Sustainable livestock production;
  • Will be a good communicator both orally and in writing with good strategic influencing skills and an ability to provide a compelling case for action to motivate and enthuse politicians, consumers, NGOs and other stakeholders;
  • Will be realistic about what is achievable but have the flexibility and maturity to proactively translate policy and strategy into action and into results;
  • Strong team player who can interact with other policy officers who work on related policies;
  • Brussels-based with occasional travel within Europe.

Duties

  • Identify, in conjunction with the Executive Officer Policy, prioritised and time-bound objectives for sustainable farming in various policy areas;
  • Manage and be responsible for given technical areas of work related to farm animals;
  • Develop a strong network of contacts including key politicians, NGOs in particular, consumers and other stakeholders, including retailers in order to influence effectively;
  • Promote animal welfare as an essential element of sustainable development and Corporate Social Responsibility with key stakeholders;
  • Coordinate the development of position papers and assist member organisations in activities at EU level;
  • Manage and co-ordinate projects and ensure delivery on time;
  • Monitor legislative developments in the area of farm animals, including voluntary standards, consumer preferences, labelling and information;
  • Influence the development of ISO standards on animal welfare;
  • Monitor and influence the integration of animal welfare criteria in Green Public Procurement.

Employment Contract:

Full-time, unlimited employment contract under Belgian legislation.
Competitive remuneration and benefits package.

Application Procedure

To apply for the post, please send a letter of application stating the skills and approach that you would bring to the post along with your curriculum vitae, both in English, in confidence by email only to Edith Pierron at e.pierron@eurogroupforanimals.org. Please also state your remuneration requirements in strictest confidence.
Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Deadline for applications: Friday 18th January 2013 (23:00)