Native Agriculture and Food Systems Investments Program Associate

POSITION SUMMARY

First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) is a 45-year-old Native American controlled nonprofit organization whose mission is to uplift and sustain the lifeways and economies of Native communities through advocacy, financial support, and knowledge sharing.

The First Nations’ Native Agriculture and Food Systems Investments program recognizes that accessing healthy food is a challenge for many Native American children and families. Without access to healthy food, a nutritious diet and good health are out of reach. To increase access to healthy food, we support tribes and Native communities as they build sustainable food systems that improve health, strengthen food security, and increase their control over Native agriculture and food systems.

First Nations provides this assistance in the form of financial and technical support, including training materials, and projects that address agriculture and food sectors in Native communities.

The Program Associate is an entry-level position at First Nations and plays an integral role in supporting the Native Agriculture and Food Systems Investments program staff in the administration and implementation of projects. These responsibilities may include coordination of internal and external virtual meetings, participation in site visits or convenings, grantee and consultant communications, participation in internal grant reviews, developing consultant agreements, coordinating travel arrangements, updating meeting notes, performing data entry in Airtable, and organizing files under the guidance of senior program staff.

First Nations is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 vaccination guidance. We reserve the right to request proof of COVID-19 vaccination, and similar vaccines, from candidates and employees as part of the hiring process, in accordance with applicable laws and company policy.

With directions from the Native Agriculture and Food Systems Investments program staff, the Program Associate provides coordination and administrative support to ensure effective program operations, including:

• Coordinate logistics for meetings, convenings, events, including scheduling, travel, venue coordination, materials preparation, and onsite support.
• Provide administrative and coordination support for program activities, including managing communications, invitations, agendas, and follow‑up materials.
• Prepare and format presentations, webinars, training materials, and basic reports.
• Support consultant, speaker, and partner coordination, including scheduling and tracking deliverables.
• Track expenses, invoices, and payments with supervisor approval.
• Maintain organized systems, files, and documentation to support timely and efficient operations.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, partners, grantees, and stakeholders in alignment with organizational values.
• Participate in required in‑person staff events and travel, as needed, for meetings, convenings, and program‑related activities.
• Model and advance First Nations’ Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles by delivering community‑centered service, fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where staff members feel a sense of belonging, and intentionally integrating these values into daily interactions with staff and meetings with community partners.

Job duties listed are not intended to be all‑inclusive;
Employee may be required to perform other job‑related duties as assigned.

• Associate’s degree or an additional two plus years of relevant experience
• At least one year of relevant experience working in a nonprofit organization or Tribe, or Tribal organization
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including written, verbal, and active listening, with the ability to work effectively across diverse audiences
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a remote team,…