Policy Jobs in Illinois

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Greater Chicago Food Depository is leading a robust statewide and federal advocacy and outreach campaign in response to significant threats to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Illinois as a result of H.R. 1 at the federal level. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is actively collaborating with hundreds of organizations and collectively galvanizing thousands of neighbors throughout the state to protect SNAP and mitigate harm for SNAP beneficiaries at risk of benefit loss. We are now growing our team to continue to supercharge this critical work.

The Senior Coordinator serves as a key member of the Policy, Advocacy and Community Engagement team and plays an integral role in executing advocacy initiatives, building and sustaining strategic partnerships, elevating the voices of directly impacted community members, and coordinating cross-functional initiatives that advance the Food Depository's policy agenda.

The Senior Coordinator will help execute and track stakeholder engagement, monitor policy developments, support coalition effectiveness, and contribute to campaign planning and implementation across local, state, and federal advocacy efforts.

Cover letter submission required for application consideration.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Advocacy and Government Affairs

• Provide project management and logistical support for lobbying events and rallies in Springfield and Washington D.C. and meetings with federal, state and local elected officials

• Support the drafting of advocacy-focused communications to a range of audiences, and enhance the effectiveness of advocate recruitment, training and engagement strategies

• Support the preparation of legislative meetings by developing issue briefs, packets, and stakeholder profiles

• Research and help the team implement best practices in digital advocacy engagement and retention, and legislator engagement

• Alongside the Senior Manager of Advocacy, build transformative relationships with a portfolio of advocates through the Champion Advocates training program which advance shared advocacy goals

• Support the recruitment, leadership development, and activation of directly impacted advocates and community leaders

• Support organizational efforts around a non-partisan Get Out the Vote project in advance of upcoming elections, including but not limited to matching pantry partners with volunteers for voter engagement

• In collaboration with the Director of Government Affairs and Policy team, monitor and summarize federal, state, and local policy developments related to nutrition assistance, food security, poverty, and economic justice

• Support data-entry on all elected official and advocate engagement (Quorum), and partner engagement (Stratus)

• Implement enhancements to maximize Quorum (our advocacy CRM) and the organization's Advocacy Action Center

Statewide Advocacy Coalition Engagement

• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Community Advocacy, coordinate and support strategic engagement with statewide coalition partners, policymakers, advocacy organizations, and community stakeholders

• Identify opportunities to expand coalition membership and strengthen partner participation

• Provide administrative support for the statewide Save Our SNAP Coalition and all of its relevant working groups and steering committee

• Support the scoping, administration and relationship building with recipients of advocacy grants (invoices, meetings, reporting, communications, toolkits and resources) and technical assistance for partner-hosted lobby days via the Statewide Save Our SNAP Coalition

Community Engagement

• Manage incoming inquiries for community events and presentations and support with implementation

• Schedule and coordinate Community Engagement meetings and the planning of community events by securing translation and catering vendors, working with partners, and managing virtual platforms

• Attend events representing the Food Depository and engage directly with neighbors with information about SNAP and advocacy opportunities

Project Management

• Provide support for the project management and tracking of milestones and metrics related to the overall Save Our SNAP project

• Manage project budget spend for Save Our SNAP across three departments

• Maintain organized records of engagement activities, contacts, and reports

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Minimum of 3 years of work experience in advocacy, community organizing, political campaigns, volunteer engagement, nonprofit programs, or a related field required

• Bachelor's degree and advanced degree in public policy, social work, public health, or a related field preferred (not required)

• Excellent customer service, attention to detail, organizational and problem-solving skills with demonstrated success in hitting milestones, meeting deadlines and managing competing priorities

• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and across organizational functions in a complex organization

• Excellent emotional IQ and proven ability to work with a variety of stakeholders to mobilize action toward a common goal

• Experience working in community and/or working with people with lived experience preferred

• Ability to work in political environments requiring a high degree of tact and discretion

• Ability to implement complex projects effectively and efficiently with strong organizational skills and with limited supervision

• Ability to advance multiple projects simultaneously and leverage opportunities to achieve multiple objectives

• Action-oriented and entrepreneurial with strong problem-solving skills and creative and flexible thinking

• Strong commitment to our mission of addressing the root causes of hunger: poverty, systemic inequity and structural racism

• Proficiency in MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and CRMs

EXPOSURE

• Normal office environment; some warehouse environment

• Hybrid work environment, with minimum three days per week on-site

• Out of office meetings and events. Occasional travel.

• Interacts with Food Depository staff; civic and community leaders; federal, state, and local government elected officials and staff; volunteers; member agencies and general public

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off
• Parental leave
• On-site gym
• $3,000 annual employer-paid ThrivePass lifestyle and wellness benefit program
• $250 employee referral bonus