New Orleans Regional Director

Position summary

This role is responsible for the direction and management of the New Orleans Food Policy Action Council (NOLA FPAC), the flagship regional council of the emerging Louisiana Food Policy Action Council (LA FPAC).  The role of Regional Director will continue the momentum and advance the mission of NOLA FPAC and help to envision a network of regional food policy coalitions that work together to build a strong Louisiana. The New Orleans Regional Director will play a pivotal role in advancing the mission of FPAC by leading current programs and projects, building partnerships, and advocating for policy change within New Orleans. This position requires someone with a deep understanding of food systems, policy advocacy, and the ability to drive systems change at the regional (Greater New Orleans) level as well as an understanding and appreciation for the unique culture of New Orleans. This is a pivotal role that will help shape the direction of both NOLA FPAC and the burgeoning LA FPAC.

NOLA FPAC has a strong history in the New Orleans food system and has been building on that work since 2007. In 2020, NOLA FPAC became a 501c3 and hired staff for the first time. We now have 3 full-time staff and 2 shared staff positions with partner organizations (Sprout and New Orleans Health Department). NOLA FPAC currently has 4 main programs and 5 working groups that shape the organization’s body of work. Programs include Farm to Early Care and Education, Eat Local Campaign, Food Policy Advocacy Training, and Policy Advocacy. FPAC is a founding or backbone member of numerous coalitions. The work of NOLA FPAC has grown into a robust coalition that spans  regional, state, and national level, which has led to the newly formed Louisiana FPAC.

Key Responsibilities

• Guidance, leadership and oversight of staff- This currently includes a program manager and communications manager, as well as coordination with FPAC-affiliated staff housed in other organizations. This work includes task and project oversight, annual performance reviews and ongoing feedback, and addresing any issues that may arise within staffing. As funding becomes available this role will lead in the hiring, onboarding and management of new staff.
• Provide leadership to the NOLA FPAC coalition network which includes working groups, steering committee and partners- Ensure effective coordination and execution of programs and initiatives. We believe that policy should not happen in a vacuum and trust our leadership network to guide our work and policy priorities.
• Support and give guidance and leadership to current working groups- Seafood, Business Development, Food Access, Food Production, and Disaster and Climate Change. NOLA FPAC working groups are the backbone of its policy work and strategic planning.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, community members, policymakers, and government agencies to advocate for equitable policies and policy decisions- This includes maintaining FPAC’s role as official advisors to City Council on matters of food and agriculture, through yearly renewal of resolution. Help connect FPAC partners and working groups to policymakers as needed, acting as a conduit and translator between stakeholders.
• Provide leadership for the Eat Local Campaign- This is a signature program of NOLA FPAC, and includes an ongoing marketing campaign, annual and seasonal events and strong collaboration with other local food businesses, organizations and the public at large.
• Build and maintain relationships with the FPAC Board of Directors-keep them abreast of organizational needs, challenges and opportunities through bi-monthly meetings and ongoing communications.
• Lead bi-monthly FPAC General meetings including agenda setting, facilitation, and content presentation alongside staff- FPAC General meetings are the main point of contact and information sharing for NOLA FPAC and serve as updates on local, regional, state and federal food policy issues, campaigns, advocacy opportunities and current NOLA FPAC programming as well as a space for partners and community members to share knowledge opportunities and networking.
• Organize and participate in community events, workshops, and educational programs- This particularly pertains to food policy advocacy training and learning opportunities such as Xavier Food Policy Training program. NOLA FPAC has a history of providing policy training and capacity building such as Farm Bill webinar(s), Food Policy 101, and other advocacy education that partners and stakeholders have expressed need for. As the food policy organization in the region, this is an important and vital cornerstone of our work to demystify policy and politics in order to empower communities to participate in the policy process.
• Continuously identify and apply for funding to continue the work of NOLA FPAC- Pursue new funding and maintain current funder and grant relationships. This will be done in collaboration with LA FPAC as we together build a robust infrastructure for policy work in Louisiana and find funds to support the work. Currently most funding is multi-year with a number of the current funding relationships due for renewal in 2024- this position will work with the Executive Director on those renewals to ensure they meet the needs of the organization and community.
• Provide capacity as needed for LA FPAC expansion, including being an active member of the LA FPAC Steering Committee and representing the New Orleans region. Develop and implement a regional (Greater New Orleans) strategic plan aligned with the overall mission and goals of the emerging Louisiana Food Policy Council. The expansion statewide is a direct result of the work done in New Orleans through NOLA FPAC and, as such, it will serve as the flagship regional coalition of LA FPAC. The Regional Director will have an active role in LA FPAC and its strategic direction and policy priorities.

Desired skills and competencies:

• Proven experience of at least 5 years in Louisiana/New Orleans food system policy advocacy or a related field, with a track record of successful initiatives.
• Proven track record of authentic community and stakeholder engagement in New Orleans
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of New Orleans political landscape and regulatory frameworks related to food systems.
• Spanish or Vietnamese fluency a plus
• Experience managing multiple deliverables against deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with nonprofit organizations, including grant management
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
• Ability to navigate internal and external conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as an understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a teams and coalition

Position Type: Full Time, salaried. FLSA status: exempt. Some evenings and weekend hours may be required.Outdoor work may be required, in addition to lots of sitting and computer work. Paid bi-weekly for 26 weeks. Some travel is expected for this position and may be required on a project-by-project basis. Reliable transportation is not a requirement, but preferable. Examples of previous travel opportunities/requirements include: driving to each region of the state for listening sessions, flying to DC to engage in Farm Bill reauthorization advocacy, in-person training series/conferences. We recognize that transportation and travel requirements may preclude some individuals from pursuing this position and that this is an equity issue. We include this section to maintain transparency about this role and to encourage honest conversation about what support the organization will need to provide to the person occupying this role.

New Orleans Food Policy Action Council is committed to having a staff that represents the community we serve. We encourage applicants who can help us build a truly inclusive culture to apply. NOLA FPAC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, or veteran status.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to elisa@nolafoodpolicy.org Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

New Orleans Food Policy Action Council offers a generous benefits package including health insurance with 75% employer paid, including dental and vision, paid family leave, phone stipend, 401k and matching, 3 weeks of paid time off and 11 paid holidays, as well as 32 hour work weeks.