Career Opportunity: Director of Network Engagement

UPDATE: This position has been filled.

KC Healthy Kids is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of children and families through community-driven initiatives and advocacy where they live, learn, work and play. We also support a number of initiatives designed to improve the food and built environments, including the Kansas Food Action Network.
 
Composed of over 30 local food, farm and policy councils, the Kansas Food Action Network is a statewide advocacy network focused on building resilient local and state food systems in Kansas. The Network provides technical assistance, coaching, peer-to-peer learning and network opportunities to support growth and development of food system leadership in Kansas.

KC Healthy Kids seeks an enthusiastic and creative Director of Network Engagement to provide programmatic and administrative support for the Kansas Food Action Network. Reporting to the Senior Director of the Kansas Food Action Network, this staff person will provide critical outreach and engagement support to our growing organization.
 
Duties and Responsibilities:

Network Engagement

• Direct outreach and organizing efforts to build a diverse and effective statewide network of local food policy councils
• Support the development of new food, farm, and policy councils across the state of Kansas
• Coordinate and facilitate monthly calls with the statewide Network
• Design and lead coordination of in-person and virtual network events, including an annual statewide convening and an annual advocacy day.
• Lead an annual statewide assessment of food council capacity
• Facilitate an annual community engagement process to establish the Network technical assistance, programming, and policy priorities.

 
Technical Assistance

• Track and respond to technical assistance requests from member councils in a thoughtful and timely manner
• Design responsive technical assistance (i.e. coordinating guest speakers, hosting workshops, etc.) to meet Network members’ needs.
• Design and regularly update technical assistance tools
• Facilitate the Network’s New Member Orientation

 
External Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with food system partners in Kansas and across the country
• Stay connected to the Johns Hopkins FPN network, including the completion of survey requests, engagement with listserv posts

 
Communications

• Design and distribution of monthly newsletter
• Prepare presentations and publications for professional and public audiences.
• Write email newsletters, update the website and manage social media.
• Work with staff to plan and implement advocacy communications.
• Management of the Network listserv (includes updating the listserv, responding to listserv information requests)
• Management of communications database - managing contact information for board members, network councils, and key stakeholders.

 
Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, community planning and design, nutrition, public health, or related field preferred OR comparable professional experience
• One to three years of experience in food policy council or coalition organizing strongly preferred
• Knowledge of Kansas food systems is desirable; passion for food systems change is a must.
• Understanding of the role of federal, state, and local policy in influencing the food system
• Event planning and project management experience
• Experience with grant writing and/or funding processes
• Strong communications background
• Creative and strategic thinking skills
• Experience with learning management systems and/or curriculum design
• Must be proficient in use of a personal computer, including electronic scheduling and Google suite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, etc.)
• Must be proficient in Zoom

 
Reports to:  Senior Director, Kansas Food Action Network
 
Compensation: The salary range for this position is $65,000 - $70,000 based on experience. Benefits include paid time off; mobile phone stipend; health, dental, vision and disability insurance; and a contribution to a retirement plan. KC Healthy Kids staff work a flexible, 32-hour work week.
 
To Apply: Email your resume and answers to the questions listed below to [email protected]. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The position will remain open until filled, but applications received before December 8, 2023 will be prioritized. No phone calls please. Inquiries should be sent by email. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
 
Applicant Questions: In place of a cover letter, please answer the following questions and submit them with your resume. Please limit your responses to no more than one page per question.
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1. Describe your knowledge of and/or experience with:

• Network organizations
• Food councils and/or coalition organizing
• Policy, systems, and environment change

2. The Kansas Food Action Newtwork operates across a large geographic area, and mostly meets virtually.  What strategies would you use to encourage authentic and enthusiastic engagement among members?

Photo: Members of Kansas Food Action Network meet with Governor Kelly