Project Manager - Food Justice Planning Initiative

FJPI Project Manager - Position Description

The WNC Food Justice Planning Initiative (FJPI) is seeking a Project Manager, for an average of 25-30 hours/week 

to provide large scale project supervision and management of the FJPI. This is a dynamic position that requires a high skill level in collaboration, facilitation and detail-oriented multi-tasking. You will interface with and manage diverse stakeholders, a Leadership Team and multiple contractors to work towards completing the projects of the final phase of the current FJPI structure as we transition into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This role will also engage with the Org Design process, led by Org Design Consultants and a Coordinator, to develop the future 501(c)(3). As part of the Admin team, you will be the primary point on moving forward the FJPI’s administrative tasks, including policy development, contracting, supervision of contractors, grant writing and reporting, financial tracking (with Fiscal Sponsor), and developing strategic partnerships/funding relationships. You may also be required to represent the FJPI at regional and statewide meetings, as needed. This position is primarily remote, but travel within WNC may be required from time-to-time.

We are a collaborative initiative, and have a high level of input/feedback from the different teams. This role best fits a proactive, organized, and self-motivated person with minimal supervision needs that is equally skilled in diplomacy and values the opinions of others. While we’re not a “pure” democratic structure, we do use democratic principles such as consent-based decision making and value having input from various stakeholders. 

WNC Food Justice Planning Initiative

 We are a 50+ member strong coalition, who are working together to align efforts, coordinate strategies, and develop collaborative goals to create a thriving, regenerative, and resilient food system across 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary, in the Southern Appalachian region of WNC. Our work has been in development and ongoing since January 2020. In 2021, we shifted from our “planning” phase into our “implementation” phase. We currently exist in a “hub-and-spoke” model, with six different Strategy Areas (SA) working on various points of the food system: Community Gardens, Food Waste Reduction, Collaborative Ag. Network, Healthy and Local Food Distribution, Nutrition and Cooking Education, and Org Design. 

We are at an exciting point in our future Org Design. We’re preparing to file for our 501(c)(3) status and are hiring an Org Design Consultant(s). The Consultant(s) will take us through the development of our Org Culture and Structure, deciding collectively what we want that to look like. We are hoping to transition from an initiative to an organization by the Spring of 2024, if not sooner. As an official non-profit organization, our goal is to continue supporting a collaborative network in service of food sovereignty and food system resilience in WNC as we face continued racial and economic disparities, climate change and limited land access for agriculture.

Responsibilities and Activities:

• Lead and support the FJPI in the transition into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in a timely and efficient manner with support from the Org Design Admin Team, the Org Design Consultant, and the Project Coordinator.
• Oversee and support all FJPI contractors in meeting their contracted deliverables
• Apply for/identify grant opportunities in order to meet budget needs
• Support reporting, invoicing, application, and communications efforts related to contracts and grant funding
• Collaborate on financial management and documentation with fiscal sponsor (OGS) and Bookkeeper.
• Coordinate, co-facilitate,  and participate in all FJPI’s Leadership Team including crafting collaborative monthly agendas and providing FJPI project updates at every meeting. 
• Coordinate and co-facilitate quarterly Large Group meetings of the full FJPI membership for the purpose of cross-pollination between Strategy Areas and full group planning and decision making. FJPI partnerships and collaborations
• Develop and oversee implementation of internal policies and processes with the Admin team

• Attend SA meetings as needed, and all Admin Team meetings monthly and additionally as needed.
• Attend all monthly Leadership Team and quarterly Large Group meetings.
• Supervise and support FJPI Contractors with (at minimum) monthly check-in and planning meetings.
• Maintain regular communications with FJPI members pertaining to emergent or ongoing opportunities, activities, questions, and requests. 
• Oversee communications to the public and work with Administrative Assistant to maintain communications tools including email, website, and social media, with some technical support if needed from interns and volunteers. 
• Support recruitment, contracting, and management of FJPI contractors and/or interns with support from the Admin Team and Leadership Team.
• Partner with the Bookkeeper and Fiscal Sponsor to provide monthly reports to the Leadership Team and coordinate planning and spending down of funding.
• Represent FJPI as necessary or appropriate at collaborative meetings and initiatives outside the FJPI aimed at increasing food security across the region. 
• Attend and support all Organizational Design group and administrative meetings. 

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be experienced coordinating large-scale projects, and working with urban and rural food systems and issues related to poverty, health, food justice, and racial/cultural equity. They will possess excellent networking, community relations, conflict resolution, strong interpersonal skills, and oral and written communications as well as demonstrate leadership, self-motivation, and ability to coordinate work with a large and diverse team of stakeholders including funders. The successful candidate should work well independently with minimal supervision. 

Prior work experience, or an equivalent combination of education in a related field and work experience, will include a minimum of 8-10 years working in a leadership role within the food system in a public, non-profit and /or for-profit entity. 

Required:

• Experience working with diverse communities and groups, non-profit reps, and/or policymakers, and others working within the food system. 
• Experience coordinating diverse stakeholder groups
• Program or project management 
• Management/Supervision experience
• Meeting facilitation
• Grant-writing, donor development and fundraising
• Demonstrated professional writing skills (including social media)
• Fluency with Google Drive and Microsoft office suite
• Resident of one of the 18 counties and/or the Qualla Boundary in WNC

Preferred:  

• Familiarity with food systems’ issues in WNC
• Residency of at least 1 year in WNC
• Bilingual - English and Spanish (other languages will be considered)
• Equity-centered and educated
• Management of coalitions
• Competency with Communication tools (Facebook, Mailchimp, SquareSpace)
• Competency with QuickBooks Online
• Experience with project-based work, as an Independent Contractor
• Meeting and event organizing
• Reliable vehicle and willingness to travel locally and regionally as appropriate

Contract Details: 

• This is a contract position for $45-50/hour DOE, 25-30 hours per week (28 avg).
• This position is expected to remain in place for 9-12 months as of May 2023, after which the contractor will have the opportunity to apply for executive staff positions within newly formed 501(c)(3) being developed.
• The Project Manager is expected to provide their own transportation, internet, work space,  computer, and cell phone. Office supplies will be provided on an as needed basis as approved. Other arrangements regarding office space may be reached external to this contract as needed and agreed upon by the necessary parties. 

Application Process

To apply for this position please send the following items via email to Diana Manee-Buskirk at [email protected] by March 30th, 2023: 

1. A resume highlighting relevant experience 
2. A cover letter addressing your experience with the following:

1. Community organizing/development work - food systems related or otherwise
2. Working in a self-motivated, limited-supervision capacity
3. Supervision and project management experience
4. Fundraising (grant-writing, funder relationships, etc.)

Email the Cover Letter and Resume as one PDF file in an email with the subject line “Last Name_FJPI Project Manager”. Ideally, the successful candidate would be able to start work the week of May 8th or 15th.