Choose a career where you can better someone else’s life, while bettering your own. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is the largest hunger relief organization in Northeast Ohio having provided over 50 million meals in 2021 to hungry people in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Ashland and Richland counties. The organization’s mission is to ensure that everyone in these communities has the nutritious food they need every day.

Apply for a position at Greater Cleveland Food Bank where we offer a culture of learning and development, competitive pay and amazing benefits including Low Cost Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, Generous Retirement Plan, and Holiday Pay all starting on first day of hire and paid time off which starts after 90 days.

SUMMARY

The Advocacy Hunger Fellow works to mobilize the community in the advocacy work of GCFB. The Fellow is responsible for exploring new ways to engage with volunteers, donors, and GCFB supporters, primarily at the grassroots level. In this work, the Fellow will focus on mobilizing underrepresented populations, specifically Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Finally, the Fellow will work closely with the Advocacy Department to educate and lobby local, state, and federal elected officials to gain support for hunger-related issues and to increase funding to hunger programs that are essential to GCFB.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. This list is not all-inclusive and other duties may be assigned.

• Researches, develops, and coordinates innovative ways to engage our neighbors, volunteers, donors, and supporters in grassroots advocacy efforts, including email campaigns, letters, petitions, calls, and more. Organizes at least 1 community-focused event, such as an in-person or virtual town hall or forum, as part of these engagement efforts.

• Researches, analyzes, and documents effective strategies for mobilizing advocates, with an emphasis on supporting and mobilizing BIPOC communities in GCFB’s anti-hunger advocacy work. Produces a report documenting strategies, lessons learned, and other relevant information at the end of the fellowship.

• With a focus of diversity in mind, assists Advocacy Team in the development of a cohort of anti-hunger advocates, comprised of community members, donors, volunteers, and clients who are willing to learn more about GCFB’s policy work and take action regularly.

• Monitors legislation impacting food insecurity and its root causes, including but not limited to housing, health care, systemic racism, and employment. Provides support to key public policy initiatives.

• Works closely with the Benefits Outreach team to monitor current barriers to our neighbors accessing public benefits, especially SNAP. Provides support to the Benefits Access Partnership. Provides assistance to the Root Cause Coordinator in developing a way to continue to engage our neighbors in sharing their lived experiences with food insecurity and help create activities for our internal client experience committee.

• Works collaboratively with the Government Relations departments at Feeding America and the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. Participates in federal and state advocacy calls, campaigns, and provides support to these initiatives.

• In coordination with Advocacy team, develops materials, writes and edits fact sheets, press releases, memorandums and other communications materials related to advocacy. 

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Qualifications

Qualified candidate will have experience in civic engagement organizing or campaign management. Strong connections with community organizations in Northeast Ohio is preferred, but not required. High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and 1-2 years of experience in civic engagement or political organizing is required. Candidate will have commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, both in the workplace and in collaboration with the community. Candidate will also have a proven ability to work with emotional intelligence, receive feedback, work through conflict with integrity, and operate within principles of solidarity when working in partnership with constituencies impacted by oppression. Proven ability to work in a manner that respects differences in race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance. Demonstrated knowledge of – or commitment to building or deepening understanding of – racial equity. Since this position will require candidates to engage and mobilize people who have or are currently experiencing food insecurity, candidates with a lived experience or in-depth knowledge of food insecurity is preferred. Candidate will possess strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to cultivate and develop partnerships. This position requires attention to detail, ability to work in a team atmosphere, and motivate volunteers and community members. Some early morning and late evening meetings as well as occasional travel will be required.

Physical Requirements and Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Salary Range: $35,000 - $39,000

Proud to be a North Coast 99 Employer for 2017-2021

To apply for this position, click on this link

Or visit www.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org/jobs