What: Conduct policy research and analysis to advance the Food Depository’s public policy agenda in food insecurity, poverty, and other assigned policy areas under the direction of the Senior Director of Public Policy.
Food insecurity is a symptom of poverty and racial inequity. The Food Depository’s Public Policy team leads organizational efforts to advance policy solutions to food insecurity in Cook County and throughout Illinois. The Public Policy team advances legislative and administrative policy solutions at the federal, state, and local level as well as thought leadership, public engagement, and advocacy.
The Manager of Public Policy serves as an expert on policy issues related to food insecurity and recommends policy and programmatic solutions to reduce food insecurity and the underlying causes of poverty and racial inequity. Policy areas of responsibility include federal child nutrition programs; senior feeding programs; Medicaid; and other areas as assigned.
To achieve policy objectives, the role conducts policy research; generates policy and programmatic recommendations; develops positioning and messaging; builds and engages partnerships; and identifies opportunities for advocacy and elected official engagement.
Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions:
- Recommend policy agenda to reduce food insecurity and its root causes of poverty and racial inequity, particularly in the areas of child hunger, senior hunger, and Medicaid
- Research food insecurity and poverty policy issues, identify policy opportunities, and develop policy recommendations
- Analyze and communicate data, including reading and interpreting original source material for program enrollment, labor force participation, poverty and food insecurity rates, and similar material, as well as creating clear and accurate talking points, graphs, and visuals
- Build and maintain effective partnerships with policy experts and other stakeholders to develop and advance policy and programmatic goals
- Support the work of the Illinois Commission to End Hunger, including staffing Working Groups related to implementation of the Commission work plan
- Coordinate closely with communications colleagues to position the organization on policy and educate the public about policy issues
- In partnership with the Senior Manager of Advocacy and the State Engagement and Innovation Lead, engage elected officials and administrative agencies to influence legislative and executive actions in support of policy goals at the local, state, and federal level
- Collaborate with the Senior Manager of Advocacy and Associate Manager of Public Policy and Advocacy to educate advocacy stakeholders on policy issues and mobilize advocacy actions in support of policy goals
- Prepare research briefs, policy papers, fact sheets, talking points, statements, and other written materials as needed
- Participate in and present at policy-related meetings, events, and conferences
- Serve as a policy and technical expert for media interviews
- Maintain effective collaboration and coordination with Food Depository programmatic colleagues to leverage their expertise, identify policy needs, and develop policy solutions, particularly as it relates to federal nutrition programs
- Collaborate with a variety of Food Depository functional areas (programs, marketing, volunteer services, development) to achieve shared goals
- Maintain relationship with Feeding America’s policy and research departments
- Other duties as assigned
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s Degree preferred
- Minimum of 8 years of work experience, with at least 5 years of experience in public policy, program management, public administration, or a related field
- Ideal candidate has background working in poverty and racial equity issues that can be applied to policies that help the Food Depository end hunger
- Experience with policy analysis, research/data, coalition building, government relations, and/or advocacy required
- Keen political and interpersonal judgment. Strong people skills including ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders and influence others toward a common policy or programmatic goal
- Ability to effectively manage complex projects and work with limited supervision
- Robust analytical skills and curiosity
- Must be detail-oriented, organized, and committed to producing a high standard of work
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills and ability to create and present information clearly and effectively for a variety of audiences
- Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with teammates and across teams in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to travel in Illinois (approximately 4 times per year) and to Washington, DC (approximately 1-2 times per year)
- Proficiency in MS Office-Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, GIS mapping
- Normal office environment; some warehouse environment
- Out of office meetings and events
- Interacts with Food Depository staff; nonprofit, private sector, and community leaders; federal, state, and local government officials and staff; volunteers; member agencies; and general public