Public Affairs Partner Advocacy Specialist

Second Harvest Heartland • Brooklyn Park, MN

3h • $61,000 - $66,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

This role supports Second Harvest Heartland’s advocacy at the state and federal level with a specific focus on engaging with, training, and supporting partner agencies wanting to get more involved in advancing anti-hunger policy priorities. Because these policy priorities themselves are in part informed by the needs of agency partners, a successful Partner Advocacy Specialist will be adept at listening to partner agency leaders, distilling information, and helping to inform the work of the Second Harvest Heartland Public Affairs Team. Additionally, the Partner Advocacy Specialist will be responsible for collecting partner stories and other activities in service of our legislative advocacy efforts.

This role supports Second Harvest Heartland’s role as a convener in the hunger-relief advocacy sector. It requires cultural competency to engage with partners from all communities across the food bank’s 41-county service area in Minnesota. Additionally, this role will require close collaboration with Second Harvest Heartland’s Partner Communications, Partner Operations, and Community Engagement teams, along with external stakeholders including other partner-facing organizations and allies.

This role requires meeting agency partners where they are, requiring some travel and occasional work on evenings and weekends as needed.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to create and deliver clear, concise, and effective oral and written communications.
• Demonstrated familiarity with Microsoft Office, Office 365 and the ability to learn other computer software programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the workings of state and federal government, and effective advocacy practices.
• Ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, and enthusiasm, both individually and as part of a team in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, manage and follow through on multiple daily tasks and projects.
• 2+ years of professional work experience in community engagement or related areas. All relevant experience including work, education, transferable skills, and military experience will be considered.
• Ability to independently identify, analyze, and troubleshoot problems.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently with minimal supervision.
• High-quality relational skills (exhibit objectivity, calmness, empathy, and helpfulness).
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and communities with barriers to accessing food resources and public benefit programs.
• Valid MN driver’s license, good driving record, current automobile insurance, and dependable transportation to conduct site visits and other events as needed.
• Microsoft office programs and computer skills.

Nice To Haves

• Professional experience working in hunger relief, food access, and/or federal nutrition programs.
• Fluent in English and another language commonly spoken in Minnesota, such as Spanish, Somali, Hmong, or other languages.
• Experience working with and supporting individuals or communities with barriers to accessing food resources and public benefit programs.

Responsibilities

• Foster deep relationships with partner leaders across Second Harvest Heartland’s 41-county service area in Minnesota
• Identify opportunities to expand engagement with partner agencies with interest in policy advocacy at the state and/or federal level
• Support, train, and help expand the advocacy capacity of interested partner agencies, including through the creation of partner-facing materials
• Closely track emerging partner agency issues and synthesize findings into proposed policy solutions
• Craft and deliver advocacy communications for partners in collaboration with the Public Affairs Communications Specialist and Partner Communications Specialist
• Support agency partners engaging in direct advocacy at the State Capitol and in Washington, DC
• Develop and execute partner engagement events related to advocacy

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed