Director of Policy and Governance, Indigenous Food and Agriculture Program

The University of Arkansas Director of Policy and Governance for Indigenous Food and Agriculture Program is a member of the IFAI Team. The position is responsible for participating in developing, executing, and maintaining a comprehensive policy analysis and Tribal Governance strategy for the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative located within the School of Law. Strategies will also include activities to increase the visibility and profile of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative major national initiatives. The Director of Policy and Governance will be working directly with Tribal governments on matters of governance and economic development, Tribal colleges and inter-tribal organizations, as well as the partners to the Initiative in the execution of the Initiative programs. This position reports to and is evaluated by the Associate Director of the Initiative and works in collaboration with colleagues throughout the campus. The Director of Policy and Governance is also responsible for research, drafting, planning, editing, publication, and circulation of print materials, online newsletters, postings on social media and other communication outreach related to the Initiative projects. Additionally, the Director of Policy and Governance will create and manage systems to track information about key issues of policy, regulation, and rule-making. This position also will research, monitor, analyze and respond to policy issues that affect Tribes and Tribal organizations/stakeholder groups. This position may be required to travel long distances by air or vehicle on behalf of for various events.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others. This position is eligible for remote work.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education or international equivalent
• At least two years of government policy experience
• At least two years of experience working with Tribal policy
• Technical assistance experience with Native American populations
• Exposure to agriculture and agriculture related policy proposals

Preferred Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school or international law degree
• At least five years of government policy experience
• Previous experience providing policy interface between American Indian, Alaska
• Native, and Native Hawaiian governments and communities on complex issues related to agriculture and food, rural economic development, business development and related areas central to the sustainable economic development
• Willingness to work as part of a complex team of professionals on issues related to supporting of Native farmers and ranchers
• Experience in assisting with Native American organizations, tribal governments, and inter-­tribal organizations and providing tribal governments with advice on complex issues
• At least five years of experience working with Tribal policy

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding and demonstrated experience working with topical issues and policy issues affecting Native populations
• Working knowledge of MS Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Strong problem­ solving skills with the ability to identify and evaluate problems, as well as devise effective solutions with minimal supervision
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to set priorities meet deadlines and manage workload
• Demonstrated ability to handle complex legal and policy matters, interface with the public on complex matters, and seek answers and solutions to complex matters
• Demonstrated ability to utilize critical thinking skills to find solutions to complex policy issues facing Native communities
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
• Ability to speak effectively one­-on-­one, in small groups or in large groups

Recruitment Contact Information:

Carly D. Griffith Hotvedt, Associate Director of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, hotvedt@uark.edu

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS  

To Apply:

https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UASYS/job/Fayetteville/Director-of-Policy-and-Governance-for-Indigenous-Food-and-Agriculture-Program_R0010674