Relationships & Sector Development Fellow Job Locations US-MA-Remote Central and Western Posted Date 3 days ago(6/20/2024 12:09 PM) Job ID 2024-2447 # of Openings 1 Category Food, Agriculture, and Nutrition Type Fiscal Sponsorship Organizations Location : Name The Carrot Project Overview
The Carrot Project (thecarrotproject.org) works toward a just and resilient farm and food system. The entrepreneurs we serve face barriers to becoming financially viable, so we support them to develop financial management skills, by providing information, training, skill-building, and capital, within a carefully crafted ecosystem of support.
The Carrot Project's work is grounded in a commitment to racial equity and an inclusive sector. The majority of our clients are in their first generation of operating a farm or food enterprise, including beginning farmers and pre-revenue startups. Overall, 90% of our clients are BIPOC, women or low-income/limited resource.
We combine our on-the-ground programs with our research, collaboration, and advocacy to create transformational change on farms, across our region, and at a national scale. Our deep network of collaborative partnerships is one of our core strengths, and we design our programs to address sector gaps.
One of our programs catalyzing systemic change is the Agricultural Viability Alliance (thecarrotproject.org/agricultural-viability-alliance), which connects farm, food and forestry viability advisors in New England and the Hudson Valley.
The Carrot Project is a fiscally sponsored organization of TSNE (tsne.org).
Responsibilities
The Relationships & Sector Development Fellow (RSDF) is a position within the Farm Viability and Access to Capital Fellowship. This position combines relationship building and education for the organizations' two key audiences: partner organizations and farm and food entrepreneurs.
The RSDF acts as a resource and educator on farm and food business viability, financial, business, risk management, and access to capital topics for primarily BIPOC, women, and low-income/resource and early-stage business owners. The RSDF engages in 1:1 business coaching, delivers educational trainings, and develops online resources and client-oriented newsletters for farm and food businesses.
The work takes place in MA, CT and RI, within greater Northeast regional and national collaborations. The work is primarily performed remotely from a personal home office located in New England. Ability to regularly travel throughout MA, CT and RI is a requirement.
The RSDF position is a temporary two-year position, with the possibility of extending for an additional 1 to 2 years, with a 4-year term maximum.
Relationships & Sector Development Fellow Responsibilities
This position is: 25% organizational relationship building; 25% financial & business educational training & events coordination; 25% farmer coaching, outreach & engagement; 10% digital educational resources & newsletters; and 15% project administration and grant reporting.
Relationship Building, Communications and Events
- Serve as a public face and voice of The Carrot Project and the Agricultural Viability Alliance.
- Cultivate relationships with partners and Agricultural Viability Alliance network participants, including organizations that are led by and/or serve BIPOC individuals.
- Coordinate and maintain clear, equitable and effective program outreach for all of Carrot's farmer and partner facing programs.
- Coordinate execution of Carrot's events (workshops, trainings, conferences) for both farmer and partner audiences.
- Coordinate and prioritize event attendance among Carrot's Executive Director, and other staff at other organization's events.
- In coordination with Carrot's Communications team, contribute relevant content to Carrot's Farmer E-News, Alliance E-News and General E-News.
Sector Development & Agricultural Viability Alliance
- Contribute to a vibrant, effective, bi-annual professional conference.
- Organize in-person and remote workforce and professional development trainings.
- Support and enable effective group work throughout the Alliance network.
- Coordinate workforce and professional development support for specific professional cohorts.
- Ensure that the program's commitments to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are central to and embedded in all programs and activities.
Farmer Services
- Deliver farmer coaching on topics related to areas of expertise.
- Deliver and adapt existing business and financial management, access to capital and risk management curriculum to underserved audiences.
- Contribute to program delivery concepts and outreach approach.
Resource Development
- In coordination with Carrot's Development team, support Carrot and the Alliance's efforts to meet the operating budget.
- Inform Alliance partners and stakeholders about specific Federal and State advocacy efforts.
Other
- Participate in partner and client recordkeeping and CRM management.
- Contribute to software & technology solutions and related organizational knowledge.
- Contribute to regular team meetings, both virtual and in-person.
- Undertake other tasks or projects to support The Carrot Project and Agricultural Viability Alliance programs.
Qualifications
We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.
Required
- 4+ years of for-profit or non-profit project coordination experience
- 3+ years of direct experience in the regional food system
- 2+ years of experience in any sales or customer-facing role
- Experience with adult education best practices
- Ability to forge new organizational and individual relationships
- High comfort level with public speaking
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Highly motivated learner capable of mastering new topics
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to quickly understand and synthesize new information
- Ability to understand client and partner needs quickly
- Computer literacy skills in Microsoft Suite including Excel, CRM
- Knowledge of small business or non-profit applicable software technology solutions
- Proven commitment to racial equity and economic justice
- A member of a BIPOC, women, or low-income/limited resource community
- Experience working with BIPOC, women, or low-income/limited resource communities
- Attention to detail, strong project coordination and logistical skills
- Proven ability to work independently and as part of a highly collaborative team
- An undergraduate degree
Preferred
- 3+ years of experience combined in any of: agricultural production/management; OR agricultural risk management or insurance; OR farm and food underwriting, business advising, bookkeeping, or accounting; OR food system market channels and purchasing.
- A second language relevant to New England's agricultural community, especially Spanish
- Experience producing educational videos or presentations for online content
- Experience in facilitation, leading large and small groups
- An undergraduate degree in a topic of social context
Special Requirements
- Ability to regularly travel in MA, CT, and RI as well as occasionally to other locations.
- Ability to maintain a remote office and work from it.
- Ability and interest in working a flexible schedule.
- Valid driver's license and successful driver's license check are required.
To Apply
Please include your Resume and Cover Letter (Required)
In your cover letter, please address either or both of the following questions:
- Describe a role or instance when your job required you to maintain or build relationships for your organization.
- Describe a role or instance where you delivered educational content to a group.
Compensation and Benefits
Location: The work is primarily performed remotely from a personal home office located in New England.
Schedule: Flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends.
Compensation: The salary range for this position is $63,000 - $68,000/yr commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package including:
- Generous Paid-Time-Off (PTO): twelve paid holidays, three weeks of vacation, one week of personal holiday, and ability to accrue up to 487.5 hours of health leave time for benefited staff.
- 80% Employer-paid Health Insurance through Harvard Pilgrim.
- Low-cost Guardian Dental and Vision.
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health and Dependent Care.
- Employer-paid Life, Long- and Short-Term Disability Insurance.
- Employer-paid Pension and Employee-paid 403b plan through TIAA.
TSNE/HPbD strives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual.
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