Community Alliance for Global Justice is hiring a full-time consultant to lead AGRA Watch research and communications in the build up to the United Nations Food Systems Summit. Deadline to apply: June 11, 2021.
AGRA Watch Consultant Job Description
About AGRA Watch:
AGRA Watch is a campaign of Community Alliance for Global Justice (CAGJ). CAGJ is a volunteer-led, membership-based organization founded in 2001 by Seattle-area activists who helped to organize the historic shutdown of the World Trade Organization meeting in 1999. CAGJ’s mission is to strengthen the global food sovereignty movement through community education and mobilization. We build solidarity across movements through grassroots, community-based organizing, and a commitment to ending all forms of oppression. We work to transform unjust trade and agricultural policies and practices imposed by corporations, governments, and foundations. We promote alternatives that embody values of racial, social and environmental justice, collective liberation, solidarity, community self-determination, and ecological health.
The mission of AGRA Watch is to challenge the dominant development ideology pushed by governments, corporations, and philanthropic actors as they try to expand our corporate-driven, industrial model of agriculture into Africa. Chief among these actors is the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and its subsidiary, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). AGRA Watch makes use of its location in Seattle, where the Foundation is headquartered, for special leverage, and works with partner organizations in Africa and the US to support sustainable, agroecological, socially responsible, and indigenous alternatives on the continent.
About the position:
AGRA Watch seeks to hire a short-term (6-month) consultant to support research and communications pertaining to the Gates Foundation’s involvement in the UN Food Systems Summit and other current social and political processes in food and agricultural policy. Candidates should have basic familiarity with issues of global development, food and agricultural policy, or similar policy fields, and be able to independently engage in policy analysis, research, and writing. The consultant will work with the current staff, volunteer members, and partners to identify projects, coordinate interns, and produce reports for publication and material for news outlets, and/or other social movement publications. In addition, the AGRA Watch consultant will work with staff and interns to carry out a social media strategy across AGRA Watch platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the website). Preference will be given to candidates with experience developing infographics and/or other effective social media campaigns. Finally, candidates will work with partner and allied organizations, volunteers, and interns to strategize, plan, and execute Seattle-based mobilizations and/or virtual actions when opportunities arise.
Primary responsibilities
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The AGRA Watch Consultant is responsible to CAGJ’s Executive Director.
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The consultant works with AGRA Watch volunteers and staff to identify opportunities and create action plans.
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Consultant will identify priorities according to long-term campaign goals and objectives, and maintain short-term workplans.
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Research:
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Identify projects; Coordinate research interns; Produce research reports and prepare them for publication in leading movement journals and news outlets; create infographics based on research and opportunities as they arise.
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Communications:
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Develop AGRA Watch social media strategy, utilizing website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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Help to coordinate and attend regular meetings of partners with whom we are collaborating on communications strategy leading up to UNFSS.
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Strengthen social media strategy for AGRA Watch and partners, to increase effectiveness and cross-posting.
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Coordinate interns to support above activities.
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Organizing:
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If opportunity arises, support organization of actions, including strategizing, working with mainstream and social media, drafting flyers, coordinating volunteers.
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Required Qualifications
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Familiarity with the principles of food justice and food sovereignty, and demonstrated commitment to these movements in the US and Global South.
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Commitment to anti-oppression and anti-racist principles.
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At least two years experience (volunteer or paid) working with grassroots, volunteer-based, community organizations.
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Experience with developing strategic and accessible communications, including social media campaigns and infographics.
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Proven ability to work collaboratively with others, in a shared leadership role.
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Proven ability to conduct research, analysis, and write effectively for a broad audience on political issues and meet deadlines.
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Strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, self-motivation and ability to motivate others.
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Excellent written and oral communication skills.
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Strong organizational skills and ability to track multiple projects simultaneously.
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Ability to work some evenings and weekends.
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Six month commitment.
Desired Qualifications
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Familiarity with current issues related to African food sovereignty (ie. GMOs, Biosafety laws, seed sovereignty, philanthrocapitalism, agroecology etc).
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Experience organizing actions and generating media, specifically through means such as press releases, media interviews, and social media campaigns/infographics.
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Effective group facilitation skills.
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Familiarity with WordPress, document sharing and collaboration tools such as Google Drive, and presentation tools such as Powerpoint and Kumu.
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Experience with public speaking.
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French language ability (in addition to other languages spoken in Africa).
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Located in Northwest (not required)
Compensation and Start Date: This position is full-time. It begins July 1, 2021 and ends Dec 31, 2021. Compensation for 6 month contract is 30K.
How to apply for AGRA Watch Consultant: Please submit resume, cover letter, a short writing sample, (2-3 pages, ideally something written for the general public), and 3 references by 5PM PST Friday June 11, 2021 to [email protected].
CAGJ is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. People of color, women, queer folks, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
