Advocacy Manager

Job Title:                              Advocacy Manager

Immediate Supervisor:       Vice President of Community Programs & Partnerships

Employees Supervised:     None

FLSA:                                   Exempt

General Description/Position Summary

 The Advocacy Manager's primary purpose is to assist with the advancement of the foodbank's mission by increasing advocacy efforts related to the reduction of food insecurities including the following areas: (1) Serve as a champion for the SLAFB locally and regionally around educating and supporting policies that support building healthy families and lifestyles for children, seniors and adults. (2) Partnering with groups and organizations focused on specific issues around health care, food access and budgeting issues affecting families, and monitor additional issues that could adversely impact individuals' abilities to provide food for their family. Responsibilities include: fostering and cultivating relationships with agency and program partners to grow a vibrant and effective grassroots advocacy network, creating and coordinating grassroots advocacy communications and establishing relationships with local elected officials and advocacy organizations to elevate the Foodbank as the lead hunger relief organization throughout our region. The manager will support advocacy efforts by Feeding America, Feeding Illinois and Feeding Missouri including compiling, analyzing and reporting data and serving as advocacy spokesperson for media and legislative events.

Duties and Responsibilities:

 Explore unique and strategic ways to broaden general knowledge and activate grassroots support of anti-hunger policies.

• Foster and Cultivate a strong grassroots advocacy network of St. Louis Area Foodbank community supporters, agencies, and program partners.
• Develop and implement a grassroots advocacy strategy integrating online and offline engagement tactics, including social media messaging, web-based advocacy tools, and community forums.
• Create and deliver compelling advocacy and public policy presentations and grassroots communication pieces and conduct agency site visits to raise awareness and recruit new advocates.
• Seek out and maintain a list of opportunities for local grassroots advocates to engage and interact with government officials.
• Manage the St. Louis Area Foodbank advocacy database.
• Serve as the primary person interfacing with public officials and their key staff by attending meetings and events to advocate for the reduction of food insecurities.
• Serve as a champion and leader for key issues such as The Farm Bill, Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act, Older Americans Act, the Agricultural clearance program and funding programs such as TEFAP and CSFP.
• Partner with organizations and agencies around educating and advocating for SNAP benefits, Health Care Access, and general access to healthy and nutritious foods for all Americans.
• Monitor and support on a case by case basis, efforts, and opportunities to support improving the quality of life for hard working citizens so they can provide for their families such as the TANF program
• Act as the Foodbank's primary liaison with Feeding America, Feeding Illinois, Feeding Missouri on all things advocacy related including analyzing and reporting data.
• Identify opportunities to advocate for those who are food insecure through meetings and coalitions, such as the Root Cause Coalition and St. Louis Regional Health Commission. Collaborate with these organizations and serve as the Foodbank's representative.
• Serve as the media spokesperson for advocacy related events.
• Keep abreast of federal, state and local legislation, policy and programming that may impact the mission of the foodbank and educate staff and Board members about the effects of policy and engagement opportunities.
• Responsible for crafting talking points on key issues and pieces of legislation, articulating the Foodbank's stance if appropriate.
• Devise responses on behalf of the Foodbank regarding relevant bills and legislation; secure CEO's signed approval for responses.
• Provide area legislators with updated information related to the Foodbank's work.
• Ensure that the Foodbank remains in compliance with 501(c)(3) regulations for direct and grassroot lobbying limits, electoral politics, and other related advocacy efforts.
• Serve on appropriate Board Committee and advise the Board on outreach and advocacy and legislation-related issues and opportunities.
• Work with Foodbank leadership to craft, refine, and execute the Foodbank's Strategic Direction.

• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

 Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in communications, public relations, political science, non-profit management, or a related field required.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong project and time management skills.
• Ability to multi-task and adjust to changing priorities.
• Expertise in building relationships particularly with government officials and community partners.
• Strong understanding of and familiarity with issues of poverty and hunger.

• Proficient with various forms of online and offline engagement tactics, including social media messaging, web-based advocacy tools, and community forums.

• Excellent presentation skills.
• Ability to interpret legislation.
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision and in a team environment.
• Able to present a professional demeanor under a variety of conditions.
• Passion for the Foodbank mission and the ability to demonstrate SLAFB's Core Values: Stewardship, Teamwork, Agility and Respect
• Proficient with Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other web-based applications.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule (evenings and weekends), as needed.

• Must be able to pass drug screening and criminal background check.
• A valid driver's license with history of a good driving record.  

• Ability to travel for meetings and events. This may include consecutive overnight stays, and traveling by car, bus, and airplane.

• Conditions may include working outside in inclement weather, working closely with others, working alone, and working protracted or irregular hours.

Current Openings for Advocacy Manager Jobs at St. Louis Area Foodbank