Senior Food and Climate Policy Analyst- Washington DC or Remote (Band C)

Who We Are: Friends of the Earth (FOE) is a national not for profit environmental organization that strives for a healthier and more just world. We push for the reforms that are needed. It’s an approach that has worked for five decades to produce important victories that help protect our planet and its people. We’re part of Friends of the Earth International, a federation of groups working in more than 70 countries on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues. 

Our Food and Agriculture Program works to rapidly transition our food system to one that is regenerative, healthy, and just. We seek three fundamental shifts in our food system: from industrial and chemical-intensive to ecologically regenerative; from corporate-controlled to democratically governed; and from a system that embodies the deepest inequities in our society to one that advances social justice and fulfills the needs of all eaters now and into the future. We achieve success through a systems-based approach that weaves together market change and policy advocacy supported by intersectional organizing, cutting-edge science, and strategic communications.

What We Look For: Are you passionate about transforming our food system? Do you have experience with climate-friendly food purchasing and federal policy advocacy? Are you skilled at designing and implementing strategic campaign plans working to shift federal food procurement and food service operations away from industrially produced animal products toward more plant-based food, as well as increasing procurement of foods that support climate justice, racial equity, worker well-being, health and animal welfare? Do you want to transform our school meal program and end federal support for factory farms? Can you cultivate strong relationships with Capitol Hill and relevant federal agency officials, lobbying them in support of legislative and regulatory priorities?

If so, this is the position for you. We want you to succeed and we want to pay you a competitive wage that is in line with your experience. The salary range for this full-time role in the Washington D.C. office or remote within the continental U.S. is $65,000-$75,300. Offers are determined based on relevant skills and experience required for the position.

Who You Are:

Transformational and Authentic Leader: Help to build and lead coalition efforts to shape and advance the campaign, with a focus on engaging with organizations that represent populations impacted by policy objectives. Supervise and manage interns and consultants as needed.

Relationship Builder: Cultivate strong and enduring relationships with Capitol Hill offices and relevant agency officials, lobbying them in support of legislative and regulatory priorities.

Results Oriented: Design and implement strategic campaign plans in conjunction with the Climate-Friendly Food team. Track, monitor, analyze, and report on federal legislation and regulations pertaining to priority issues. Develop and demonstrate expertise on climate-friendly and values-aligned food procurement policies and practices. Conduct research and develop reports, op-eds, briefs, factsheets, web content and other campaign materials to educate allies, opinion leaders, policymakers, the press and the public. Organize events and meetings such as webinars and policy briefings.

Collaborative Communicator: Work with our communications department to advance campaign objectives via traditional and social media, including press monitoring and drafting press releases and social media content. Represent Friends of the Earth in media interviews, conferences, at public events and in legislative and federal agency meetings and briefings to support campaign objectives and reach key audiences. Work with the Food and Agriculture team and the Development department to support fundraising, including contributing to foundation proposals and membership materials and cultivating relationships with donors and foundations.

Required Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 5-7 years of experience in research, campaigning, policy advocacy (not necessarily environmental), and/or food or green procurement.
• Understanding of sustainable agriculture and food systems, the intersection between food and climate, and/or procurement policy.
• Knowledge and understanding of legislative and executive branch processes and a strategic approach to both policy and politics.
• A demonstrated commitment to the environment and social and racial justice.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills. The ability to produce clear, concise, persuasive, and powerful writing, sometimes on tight deadlines. 
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a fast-moving and results-oriented team, with a diverse group of coalition partners, and in a changing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Ability to balance and successfully complete a wide range of activities in a self-directed manner including advocacy, research, communications, and policy development.
• Ability to travel locally, regionally and nationally (less than 10% of the time).
• A strategic mindset that grasps opportunities in both short-term and long-term contexts and a desire to have an impact.
• All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. FoE does not sponsor any employment related visas.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience conducting policy research and quantitative analysis.
• Experience or familiarity with procurement and/or foodservice policy and practices (e.g. familiarity with institutional food procurement or foodservice, or the Federal Acquisition Regulation), especially as it relates to “green,” environmentally preferable, or “values-aligned” procurement at the federal level.
• Fundraising experience including writing and securing foundation grants.
• Relationships with Capitol Hill offices and officials at the White House, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Center for Environmental Quality, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, General Services Administration, or other relevant agencies.

Perks & Benefits:

We are a generous employer with benefits that will take care of you. In addition to a competitive salary, we provide:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 100% employer paid medical, dental and vision coverage (80% for eligible dependents)
• Disability and Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401(k) Matching effective Day 1 (3% match)
• Generous Leave (Vacation-minimum 2 weeks to start, 12 Holidays, Sick, Parental, Sabbatical and More)
• Education Reimbursement and Employee Assistance Program

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff.