South Carolina Food Systems Coordinator

~ Carolina
Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) is a member based non-profit
organization that helps people grow and eat local, organic food by advocating
for fair farm and food policies, building the systems that organic family farms
need to thrive, and educating communities about local, organic farming. We
support sustainable farming that is good for consumers, good for farmers and
farm workers, and good for the land. ~ 

Position Overview 

The Food Systems Coordinator is a full-time position with CFSA and is responsible for managing program initiatives to build food system infrastructure and improve market access for local, organic, and sustainable foods across the Carolinas. The Food Systems Coordinator is a remote position based in South Carolina, with regular travel required throughout the state and periodic travel to the CFSA office in Pittsboro, NC.  

The
Food Systems Coordinator works in concert with Food Systems team members and
other CFSA staff to support and enhance access to local, organic, and
sustainable food across the Carolinas. 
Specific responsibilities include identifying and launching priority agriculture
and food system projects, supporting infrastructure needs assessments and investment
planning, and developing a resource network for growers, buyers, and agripreneurs
in the Carolinas. 

The Food
Systems Coordinator reports to the Farm Services Director and supervises interns
as needed.  

Responsibilities 

Administration & Outreach (5%): 

• Assist annual workplanning and budget development and regular financial
  and programmatic monitoring to ensure compliance, progress towards objectives
  and expected results, and budget adherence.

• Increase awareness and visibility of Food Systems programs, including
  content for feature pieces and program updates, presentations, speaking
  engagements, and general outreach.

• Identify and pursue opportunities to expand membership and ensure
  member satisfaction. 

Food Project Assistance (60%): 

• Coordinate
  competitive application process to identify priority infrastructure projects
  across the Carolinas.

• Develop
  and implement project assistance plans to help launch and/or develop
  approximately 2-3 priority infrastructure projects per year. Assistance may include feasibility
  assessments, market channel development, business planning,
  investment/lending/grant matching, product sourcing, and regulatory guidance.

• Develop
  and coordinate peer-to-peer learning network for projects receiving assistance.

• Measure
  and document impact of project assistance, quantitative and qualitative. Work with communications staff to develop
  evaluative data into feature pieces and/or success stories.

• Continuously
  benchmark and refine program via regular comparison against program offerings
  locally, regionally, and nationally and internal program assessment.

• Assist organizations
  in other states and regions to establish food project technical assistance
  programs, as relevant.

• Organize
  CFSA agritourism events in South Carolina. 

Assessment & Resource Development (35%): 

• Develop
  and implement annual assessment to survey infrastructure landscape and needs
  across the Carolinas.

• Develop
  and implement annual assessment to monitor utilization of and experiences with public
  programs, both TA and funding, for food systems development.

• Collaborate on statewide food system assessments and economic analyses,
  as relevant, to embed sustainable food system goals into regional development
  opportunities and action plans.

• Develop
  and maintain a resource network of agribusiness professionals, funders and
  financers, lawyers, and business advisors.

• Develop
  handbooks and guidance documents to aggregate and synthesize key resources for
  agriprenuers and food infrastructure planners including models, tools, case
  studies, and/or best practices.

• Convene and collaborate with advisory committee/s to prioritize and
  assist resource development, as needed. 

Qualifications 

Position Requirements: 

• Bachelor's degree in any of the
  following (or related) fields: agribusiness, agriculture economics, business
  management, economic development, community planning. 

• 4+ years of progressive leadership
  experience, project management, and research and analytical experience working
  on the nexus of food, agriculture, and sustainable development.   Experience with the Carolinas’ food systems preferred.

• Experience in food enterprise/business development including
  feasibility assessments, business planning, funding models, sourcing, and
  marketing.

• Experience in research-based value
  chain analysis and mapping, developing community-based economic initiatives,
  and forging strategic alliances.

• Experience, education, and/or a
  passion for Organic and Sustainable agriculture.

• Experience working with private,
  public, NGOs, rural associations and communities to create and strengthen
  supply chains.

• Proven ability to manage simultaneous
  complex activities and diverse stakeholders; to analyze achievements against
  project objectives; and to achieve concrete results under time limits.

• Demonstrated analytical skills, facilitation skills, presentation
  skills, and high standard of written and
  financial reporting.  Experience with
  grant writing a plus.

• Experience with Microsoft Office
  software, and experience in research and evaluation tools, methods and
  approaches.

• Must be self-directed, organized,
  attentive to details and enthusiastic. 

To Apply 

• Please use the email address below to submit a resume, list of professional references and a cover letter
  explaining why you want to work to promote local, organic agriculture.
• Type “SC Food Systems Coordinator” in the
  subject line. 
• You will receive
  electronic confirmation of your email submission.  No calls, please.
•  Applications are due by July 9, 2014.  The
  anticipated start date is August 15, 2014. 

~ CFSA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women and people of color. ~