Campaign Lead

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent national nonprofit whose scientists and engineers work to solve some of our planet’s most pressing environmental and safety problems. UCS combines technical analysis and effective organizing and advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for stemming the tide of global warming, sustainable food policy and agriculture, energy and transportation, fighting misinformation and reducing the threat of catastrophic nuclear war.

Within that mission, the Food and Environment (F&E) program is working towards a just, equitable, and sustainable food system, from farm to fork. The team is looking for a Campaign Lead who can use their knowledge of food and agriculture policy to advocate for policy changes at the local to national levels. The right candidate will be responsible for developing an overall campaign strategy and generating a successful high-visibility and high-impact campaign for the F&E team. The Campaign Lead must also be excellent at collaborating with various team members to make sure our campaign has consistent messaging and is nimble with changing conditions.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead campaigns to advance the F&E program’s goals

• Develop overall campaign strategy, set priorities, establish metrics, and implement systems to generate campaigns and achieve wins.
• Analyze opportunities, develop measurable goals and strategies, build target lists, and develop and execute tactics for advocating with the public and decision-makers.
• Lead efforts to organize, mobilize, and energize our members and experts. Ensure our strategies prioritize outreach to experts from diverse backgrounds.

Manage staff activities and metrics

• Manage a team of outreach specialists and ensure all campaign elements are coordinated and successful.
• Track metrics regarding success of outreach efforts to demonstrate the campaign’s impact.

Coordinate outreach and external relationships

• Plan and lead outreach to, relationship building with, and organization of stakeholders including farmers, scientists, and grassroots/community groups.
• Manage relationships with allies and represent F&E with coalitions and at public events and conferences.

Maintain knowledge of science and policy issues and of outreach methods

• Maintain and update working knowledge of food and agriculture, science and policy, and associated racial equity and social justice issues and implications.
• Stay informed about national policy developments and implementation of federal rules as well as new organizing tools and methods to influence national policy.

Qualifications and Experience

A bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred; seven to ten years of comparable and relevant experience with issue campaigns required. Requires demonstrated leadership in tasks such as: conceiving campaign strategies and tactics; planning and implementing effective outreach campaigns; building coalitions, partnerships, and stakeholder engagement; organizing activists; and coordinating events. Skill with managing teams, balancing multiple projects, and flexibly responding to fast-changing priorities preferred. Highly developed interpersonal skills required, including the ability to collaborate as a member of a multidisciplinary team and communicate effectively with stakeholders from a wide range of backgrounds: representatives of marginalized communities, grassroots coalition partners, scientific experts, and policymakers.

Knowledge of policy topics related to food, nutrition, and agriculture is required; experience with the farm bill is a bonus. An ability to work with scientists to translate scientific content for lay audiences and an understanding of basic relevant scientific principles are preferred. Experience with organizing in and with marginalized communities is preferred; an understanding of racial equity, social justice, and workforce issues related to the food system is required.

May spend extended periods at computer terminal. Travel up to 20% time.

At UCS, comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

UCS is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify its staff. In particular, we’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We’re also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We've adopted this commitment because we believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities. We are actively seeking people who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to join us in this work.

Compensation, Hours and Location: This is a full-time position based in UCS’s Washington, DC office. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is around $78,000 annualized. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment.

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, salary requirements, and how you learned about the position via email to jobs@ucsusa.org and include “Food Systems Campaign Lead” in the subject line. Email materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please. Deadline: September 16th, 2018, or until filled.