Program Associate 2, Community Based Food Systems; Wallace Center at Winrock International

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Program Associate 2, Community Based Food Systems - Little Rock, AR or
Arlington, VA

 The Wallace Center at Winrock International is a national leader in
 sustainable and equitable food systems development that supports entrepreneurs
 and communities as they build a new, 21st century food system that is
 healthier for people, the environment, and the economy.


 General: We are currently recruiting a motivated and experienced individual
 who is exceptionally talented at multi-tasking programmatic and administrative
 tasks and has the focus to handle complex and challenging responsibilities,
 including the ability to engage with practitioners in the fields of community-
 based food systems, philanthropy, government, enterprise development, and
 communications. Strong interpersonal skills are needed for this position, as
 well as the ability to self-start and work independently as well as working
 well in teams. A strong interest in domestic sustainable and equitable food
 systems is highly desirable and will become the basis for professional
 development.


 Salary/Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with experience and level of
 education. Excellent benefits offered.


 Applications: Interested applicants should go to the careers page at
http://www.winrock.org/join-us/careers/ to submit their applications, cover
 letter and current resume. This position will remain open until filled. EEO/
 AA.


 POSITION DESCRIPTION


 POSITION TITLE: Program Associate 2, Community-Based Food Systems

 LOCATION: Little Rock, AR or Arlington, VA

 UNIT: Wallace Center

 GROUP: Enterprise & Agriculture Group

 REPORTS TO: Program Officer, Community-Based Food Systems, Wallace Center


 BACKGROUND:
 The Wallace Center at Winrock International is a national leader in
 sustainable and equitable food systems development that supports entrepreneurs
 and communities as they build a new, 21st century food system that is
 healthier for people, the environment, and the economy. To achieve this
 vision, the Center builds and strengthens linkages in the emerging chain of
 organizations, businesses and civic efforts focused on making good food—
healthy, green, fair, and affordable food—an everyday reality in every
 community. The Wallace Center is a unit within the Enterprise and Agriculture
 Group of Winrock

 International and works across the United States on national level initiatives
 as well as regionally in partnership with other organizations.
www.wallacecenter.org


 Through its Community-Based Food Systems initiative area, the Wallace Center
 supports and builds the capacity of community-based organizations who are
 working to increase access to healthy, fresh, affordable, and fair food in
 vulnerable communities. To achieve this, the team designs targeted training
 and technical assistance to partner organizations delivered through a number
 of modalities, including webinars, conference calls, peer-to-peer learning
 opportunities, peer and expert site visits, group trainings, web resources,
 workshops, and one-on-one support. In 2017, the team will launch a new
 national Community of Practice (CoP) for food systems organizations to build
 capacity, foster linkages and relationships, share best practices and lessons
 learned, and solve challenges resulting in more viable local food systems and
 healthier communities. The Community-Based Food Systems team is also
 developing new projects in Arkansas, an area of work that is expected to grow
 in the coming years.


 POSITION SUMMARY:
 As part of the Community-Based Food Systems team, the Program Associate 2 will
 play a critical role in supporting and implementing the Wallace Center’s
 existing training and technical assistance program and will be deeply involved
 in planning and coordinating the activities of the new Community of Practice.
 She/he will also provide support for the Center’s biannual Food Hub Conference
 and contribute to other projects and new business development as appropriate.
 It is expected the Program Associate 2 will work with other members of the
 Wallace Center team in support of these projects as well as independently to
 achieve project and initiative goals. The position will support current
 programs as well as new program design and development of new funding
 opportunities. This position offers the successful candidate a high level of
 engagement with critical issues and strategies in the expansion of sustainable
 and equitable food systems and with those leading this work across the US.


 MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

•       Support the implementation and management of Wallace Center
 activities, including but not limited to assisting with the: coordination of
 technical assistance to selected organizations, outreach and networking among
 partners, conducting participatory research and analysis, and the development
 of training and technical materials in support of community-based food
 systems.

•       Coordinate requests for information and program support, including
 assisting with outreach and networking with partners, grantees, and those
 interested in the Center’s work.

•       Assist with technical assistance management, tracking, and evaluation.
 Duties include processing consultants’ and sub-awards’ paperwork (contracts
 and legal agreements) for hiring and/or granting; working with consultants and
 contractors to ensure proper and timely payment of invoices; coordinating
 events and travel; and overall support to the awards management processes and
 grants/contracts administration.

•       Draft, edit and/or proofread documents with reviewers, developing web
 content, promotional materials, press releases, etc.

•       Assist with logistics, operations and time management, e.g. meeting
 and travel planning, coordinating complicated project schedules, timelines and
 deadlines.

•       Support the completion of progress reports and the processing of
 financial reports to funders and help keep track of financial status of awards
 and overall program(s).

•       Provide excellent and timely client service and support relationship
 management, appropriate conflict resolution, and help strengthen the Center’s
 wide network of allies and partners.

•       Assist with the development of new business opportunities including
 proposal management, technical approach, partnership development and budgets.

•       Assist in work pertaining to technical topic areas such as: food
 access, equity, non-profit organizations, farmer viability, food value chains,
 supply chains, aggregation and distribution.

•       Assist with development and implementation of networking strategies
 that build capacity among organizations and advance the mission of Wallace
 Center.

•       Support the intern hiring process, staff coordination and training of
 new employees.

•       Represent Wallace Center at state and national level conferences and
 events.

•       Participate in Winrock-wide organizational trainings, committees and
 meetings as required and interested.

•       Perform other duties as necessary and (or) assigned. Some local and
 out-of-state (US domestic) travel may be required.


 QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:


 Education:
•       Minimum BA/BS in food systems, agriculture, rural or community
 development, environmental science or studies or policy, economics, political
 science, business, anthropology, or related fields. Master’s degree preferred.


 Experience:
 At least three years of related experience including:

•       Providing support and coordination of grant-funded projects and
 initiatives, preferably using project management tools and frameworks

•       Working to support the development of local food systems, sustainable
 agriculture and social enterprise, especially as it applies to underserved and
 vulnerable communities.

•       Working within socially and economically vulnerable communities in
 rural and urban contexts

•       An understanding of business and enterprise development and the range
 of skills and capacities one needs to be successful in food and agricultural
 business.

•       Understanding of key issues in facilitating local and healthy food
 supply/value chains.

•       Understanding of and experience working in the domestic non-profit
 sector.

•       Ability to research an issue and share findings in an organized and
 clear manner.

•       Outreach and communications with key stakeholders.

•       Grant writing and proposal preparation preferable.

•       Working in teams to foster positive social, environmental or economic
 outcomes.

 Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

•       Excellent communication skills (written and oral), including ability
 to understand, organize, and distill information from a variety of sources
 into concise content tailored to the reader.

•       Excellent interpersonal skills to work with internal and external
 clients and a wide range of stakeholders and demographics.

•       Professional demeanor and ability to prioritize responsibilities and
 function effectively during stressful or busy periods.

•       Excellent organizational and information management with an attention
 to detail and accuracy.

•       Takes initiative, self-starter, and self-directed in conjunction as
 well as the ability to work effectively in a team.

•       Process-oriented with a strong ability to build efficient systems for
 information management and project tracking.

•       Detail-oriented and organized, with ability to create and track large
 numbers of files and contacts.

•       Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple concurrent tasks.

•       Ability to quickly learn new policies and procedures, and to navigate
 the language of contracts and compliance.

•       Ability to maintain the highest ethical standards at all times

•       Cultural competency in communicating with a wide variety of
 stakeholders, ranging from national leaders in the field to grassroots
 organizations

•       Experience or proficiency using Microsoft Office software, including:
 Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Familiarity with Salesforce is a plus.

•       Must not require sponsorship to work in the U. S.


 We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will
 receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion,
 sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national
 origin, caste, tribe, age (40 or older), disability status, protected veteran
 status or any other characteristic protected by law.