The Lillooet Agriculture and Food Society (LAFS) is looking for a new Executive Director!
General Description of work
This part-time contract position is to coordinate the Lillooet Agriculture and Food Society (LAFS). This work will be guided by the purposes of LAFS:
- To enhance the agricultural viability of the Lillooet region
- To promote awareness, education and research related to agriculture, enterprise, sustainability and food security
- To support and connect local food and agricultural enterprises; and
- To build community support for our local food system and unique food culture.
Key tasks will include:
- Program development and coordination: overseeing LAFS programs and funding, including an Agricultural Storage facility project
- Communication: hosting seminars, presentations, discussions, workshops (bringing in expert advice from other communities)
- Fundraising, and administration: budgeting, preparing the annual workplan, writing reports for various funders, meeting with LAFS’ board as required
This position will work with the LAFS Board of Directors, providing professional best practice- based expertise and leadership/guidance in agriculture, food systems, and community-based economic development. The work involves considerable coordination, facilitation, management, fundraising, reporting, communications, and collaborating.
Major Duties
1. Coordinate a broad-based network of local agriculture and food advocates including farmers, ranchers, St’át’imc, Provincial and local governments, health agencies, business and economic development, and community groups that will promote LAFS’s vision for the region.
2. Organize/facilitate a minimum of 3 LAFS Board meetings and 1 AGM a year on behalf of the Chair.
3. Review and report on the 2021-22 Operational Plan, and develop the 2022-23 Operational Plan with assistance from the board.
4. Fundraise and write grant applications for core activities and specific programs.
5. Coordinate and oversee the development of an annual report, financial statements, and Society-related paperwork.
6. Society administration: manage and hire staff and/or consultants according with available funding; oversee programming duties; act as a LAFS representative at local government and/or NGO meetings and events; liaise with food hub(s) and other local initiatives.
7. Host workshops/seminars that will bring in expertise to share success stories with the local agriculture and food community. This will require external funding in order for the task to be fulfilled.
8. Food system infrastructure acquisition: this action will include scoping, fundraising, and acting as a communications umbrella for individuals and groups working towards the acquisition of distribution, processing, and storage equipment.
9. Communications strategy: Maintain and oversee the communications strategy. Develop, research and write communications pieces such as articles, pamphlets, fact sheets, etc. for specific target audiences (e.g. professional sectors, government, community groups). Work with media in getting stories, sound bites and messages out.
10. Maintain responsibility for communications regarding society administration and operation,
liaising with other groups and funding partners. Includes phone, emails, letters, compiling meeting notes, etc. Manage a listserv, maintain website, Facebook, and Twitter. Media releases (newspaper and e-newsletters) may also be required from time to time.
Minimum Qualifications
- Strong knowledge of the agriculture and food systems.
- Well-developed knowledge of the non-profit sector.
- Fundraising and grant writing skills.
- Exceptional oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to engage, collaborate and cultivate relationships with a wide variety of partners and stakeholders including First Nations, potential funders, community groups, government officials and the general public.
- Program Development and Coordination skills.
- Strong administrative and organizational skills.
- Good organizational, time management and project management abilities.
- A high degree of self-motivation, an interest in taking initiative and the ability to work independently and proactively.
Education/Experience
- Post-secondary education (degree or diploma) in community economic development, communications, facilitation, food systems, agriculture or a related discipline as well as two or more years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Project and fiscal management experience.
- Communications experience.
- Experience facilitating and engaging with community groups/volunteers and local governments.
- Knowledge of local agriculture and food distribution systems is an asset.
- Strong leadership, coordination and administrative skills.
- Experience in the non-profit society sector, including fundraising and grant writing.
Required Licenses, Certificates and Registration
Valid BC Driver’s License
Job Details
Date: Flexible – November 2021 to February 2022
Status: 0.5 FTE, Contract with annual renewal on March 31, 2021
(average of 15-25 hours a week, funding dependant)
Wage: $25-$30 an hour, depending on experience
TO APPLY
Send your application to lillooetagricultureandfood@gmail.com
Deadline to apply: January 31, 2021
Lillooet Agriculture and Food Society
Website: lillooetagricultureandfood.org
Instagram: @lillooetgrown
When applying, please mention you saw this posting at youngagrarians.org
LEARN MORE ABOUT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phoenixfarmssi