Join Our Team!
Policy and Programs Director
GFI is seeking a Policy and Programs Director to join our growing team. GFI programs aim to develop pragmatic policy and programs that strengthen the food system and that resonate with policymakers, civic leaders, and the general public. This position will develop and oversee GFI’s local and national program portfolio. This is an in-person position at GW’s Foggy Bottom campus in Washington, D.C
The Policy and Programs Director reports to the Executive Director, is recognized as a subject matter expert on food policy issues, will be a key strategic leader within GFI and will directly oversee GFI programs, policy and engagement work in the domestic arena.
- The Director working collaboratively with the team and other GW partners will develop and execute a program portfolio designed to advance the food needs of marginalized and disadvantaged people and to advance equity and justice in the global food system.
- The Director will work to build an organization that will combine rigorous research and analysis, strategic communications, and effective engagement to shape debates, affect policy, and inform effective implementation of policy, programs and practices.
Job Responsibilities
- Develop and advance a programmatic and policy agenda in collaboration with team members and other policy experts that promotes equity and justice, addresses historic and systemic inequities, and advances the GFI’s mission to ensure a food system that supports everyone — especially people with low incomes and historically marginalized groups.
- Plan, develop and implement, in partnership with the GFI team, a national and local strategy and initiatives and build the operational infrastructure to support such activities, including hiring staff.
- Lead project management and operations of the GFI programs team and projects, including the prioritization and assignment of internal projects. Manage them from end to end, ensuring that projects remain on schedule and lead successful outcomes. Ensure that grant deliverables are met.
- Play an integral role in GFI’s leadership team, helping to set the strategic vision and values for the organization as well as promoting a culture and environment that reflects those values.
- Coordinate across disciplines and departments at the University to advance and leverage research, teaching, convening, and the University’s mission to address the most complex food related problems.
- Lead the development of our learning and knowledge into opinions, organizational positions and best practices which can be used to create policies that drive the food system forward in the optimal direction.
- Design and execute GFI events, such as conferences, convenings, webinars designed to engage and inform the GW, stakeholder, policy maker and media communities.
- Develop strong relationships with funding entities that support or are interested in GFI’s work and collaborate with GW’s Department of Development and Alumni Relations team to ensure continued financial support for this work from philanthropy, government, and individual donors.
- Develop and foster strategic relationships, including recruiting public and private sector partners from diverse communities as well as supporting shared research efforts.
- Support the GW student community, including by providing support to the Food Leadership Minor, working on shared programming with GW Departments and Schools and other student engagement activities.
- Serve as a spokesperson for GFI issues for the media, at conferences, with funders and other stakeholders, and other speaking engagements.
Qualifications
Qualified candidates will hold a BA/BS in a related discipline plus 7 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.
Global Initiatives Director
GFI is seeking an inaugural Global Initiatives Director to develop and oversee GFI’s global portfolio. This will be an in-person position at GW's Foggy Bottom Campus.
The Global Initiatives Director reports to the Executive Director, is recognized as a subject matter expert on international and/or global food policy issues and is a key strategic leader within the University and will directly oversee GFI research, policy and engagement work in the global arena.
The GFI Global Director working collaboratively with the team and other GW partners will develop and execute a global program designed to advance the food needs of marginalized and disadvantaged people and to advance equity and justice in the global food system.
The Director will hire and supervise a team to support this work and work to build an organization that will combine rigorous research and analysis, strategic communications, and effective engagement to shape debates, affect policy, and inform effective implementation of policy, programs and practices.
Job Responsibilities
- Develop and advance a research and programmatic agenda in collaboration with team members and other policy experts that promotes equity and justice, addresses historic and systemic inequities, and advances the GFI’s mission to ensure a global food system that supports everyone — especially people with low incomes and historically marginalized groups.
- Plan, develop and implement, in partnership with the Executive Director, GFI’s global strategy and initiatives and build the operational infrastructure to support such activities, including hiring GFI’s global team staff
- Play an integral role in GFI’s leadership team, helping to set the strategic vision and values for the organization as well as promoting a culture and environment that reflects those values
- Coordinates across disciplines and departments at the University to advance and leverage research, teaching, convening, and the University’s mission to address the world’s most complex food related problems
- Lead project management and operations of the GFI international work, programs team and projects, including the prioritization and assignment of internal projects. Manage them from end to end, ensuring that projects remain on schedule and lead successful outcomes. Ensure that grant deliverables are met.
- Lead the development of our learning and knowledge into opinions, organizational positions and best practices which can be used to create policies that drive the food system forward in the optimal direction.
- Designs and executes GFI events, such as conferences, convenings, webinars designed to engage and inform the GW, stakeholder, policy maker and media communities,
- Develop strong relationships with funding entities that support or are interested in GFI’s work and collaborate with GW’s Department of Develop and Alumni Relations team to ensure continued financial support for this work from philanthropy, government, and individual donors
- Develops and fosters strategic relationships, including recruiting public and private sector partners from diverse communities as well as supporting shared research efforts
- Supports the GFI student community, including by providing support to the Food Leadership Minor, working on shared programming with GW Departments and Schools and other student engagement activities,
Serve as a spokesperson for GFI issues for the media, at conferences, with funders and other stakeholders, and other speaking engagements.
Qualifications
Qualified candidates will hold a BA/BS in a related discipline plus 7 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.