Position Available
The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) seeks a Senior Technical Assistance Mentor within the Nutrition Policy and Early Childhood Nutrition Program Unit to support FRAC’s work on the USDA funded WIC Community Innovation and Outreach (CIAO) Project. This position reports to the WIC CIAO Project Manager. FRAC is located in Washington, D.C. and operates on a hybrid work schedule. This position will require some in-person meetings and work.
FRAC is the nation’s leading policy and advocacy organization dedicated to fighting hunger and injustice. FRAC works to improve the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States through advocacy, partnerships, and by advancing bold and equitable policy solutions. To attain this mission, FRAC engages in research, policy analysis and advocacy, coalition-building, outreach, technical assistance and training, and an array of communications strategies. In partnership with hundreds of national, state and local nonprofit organizations, public agencies, corporations, schools, and labor organizations, FRAC addresses hunger and food insecurity, and poverty as their root cause.
This is an exciting opportunity to make a difference by contributing to strengthening the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The Senior Technical Assistance Mentor will be responsible for providing technical assistance to subgrantees related to community-engaged outreach, project implementation, and programmatic aspects of WIC. They will meet regularly with subgrantees to review project progress and milestones and to provide guidance and problem-solve to address any challenges. They will help translate and incorporate this work into WIC CIAO evaluation findings, technical assistance materials, best practices, and national resources. There has never been a better time to engage and collaborate to provide equity-focused solutions to promote nutrition and improve health outcomes.
What’s Attractive to the Right Candidate?
- The successful team member will be joining an effective, committed, high-performing group of colleagues who are well-regarded in the community.
- FRAC is financially stable with a track record of effective fund development and a plan for continued growth.
- A seat at the table to help shape the organization’s future - this position will work with all levels of staff at FRAC across units, as well as FRAC’s network of partners.
Essential Functions/Primary Responsibilities
- Provide technical assistance to a diverse group of WIC CIAO subgrantees, including ensuring project design aligns with project goals, review subgrantee project progress, revising workplans, support the achievement of milestones, and help problem-solve to address unforeseen challenges.
- Works with subgrantees to achieve their community outreach goals, including providing guidance on multicultural engagement, cultivating sustainable and collaborative partnerships, and developing outreach tools for diverse settings.
- Collaborate with other members of the WIC CIAO Project Team to ensure that technical assistance leverages best practices and meets each subgrantee’s particular project needs.
- Continually monitor subgrant projects to ensure that they are progressing according to the grant agreement and maintain accurate records of subgrantee documents, reporting requirements, and deadlines in a centralized database.
- Provide guidance on appropriate strategies to engage community members and current/former WIC participants in the project, including through interviews, focus groups, Advisory Boards, and as consultants.
- Liaison with the State and local WIC agencies, when applicable, to facilitate data and other requests that align with implementation of priority areas.
- Identify the need for additional expert assistance and connect the subgrantees with the correct expert.
- Contribute to the facilitation of virtual community-of-practice webinars and forums that are designed to foster peer learning and capacity building.
- Translate subgrantee project experience and evaluation findings into technical assistance materials, best practices, and contribute to national resources.
- Support other WIC CIAO programmatic work as needed.
Requirements and qualifications
- At least 5 years working in technical assistance for public health, public policy, anti-hunger advocacy, community nutrition, public programs, or related fields. This may include supporting the management of communities of practice or engaging with stakeholders, such as community members, nonprofits, or government agencies, to build their capacity.
- Bachelor or Master degree or comparable experience.
- Documented experience planning, monitoring, and evaluating dynamic and large-scale projects where needs may quickly evolve.
- Demonstrated experience conducting community outreach and engagement.
- Experience delivering technical assistance using different approaches and problem-solving skills.
- Knowledge of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
- Experience working with diverse communities and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated experience using Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion principles in their interactions to thoughtfully and effectively communicate with diverse partners and stakeholders including national partners, state agencies, program operators, clinics, community organizations, and people with lived experience with poverty and hunger.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a wide range of groups and individuals and support relationships between multiple partners.
- Ability to meet deadlines and achieve goals.
- Strong detail-oriented planning and implementation skills.
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to seek solutions independently, as well as to build consensus and vision as a member of a team.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Commitment to working for social and racial justice.
Salary and Benefits
The salary floor for this position is $69,500 and the salary midpoint is $86,800 and is commensurate with experience; excellent health, dental, vision, retirement, and other benefits; generous leave; enthusiastic and supportive staff.
Opening/Closing Dates
The position is available immediately. It will close when filled. However, FRAC seeks to hire a qualified individual as soon as possible.
FRAC strongly encourages individuals with lived expertise and with a passion for social justice who can contribute to the diversity of the organization to apply.
FRAC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. FRAC is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on age, gender, race, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability, or ethnic or national origin.