Manager, Policy and Advocacy

The Manager, Policy and Advocacy supports the Global Food Traceability Center (GFTC)’s work to advance interoperable, event-based traceability systems across global food systems through policy engagement, stakeholder outreach, applied research, and advocacy.

This role helps translate complex traceability, technology, and food systems concepts into clear, actionable messaging for regulators, policymakers, industry associations, NGOs, and other stakeholders. The Manager will support GFTC’s efforts to build alignment around traceability best practices, inform regulatory and policy discussions, and strengthen adoption of interoperable digital traceability approaches across food systems.

This position is based at our headquarters in Chicago, IL; however, applicants from other locations may be considered.

• Supports GFTC’s engagement with regulators, policymakers, industry associations, NGOs, technology providers, and supply chain actors
• Tracks and analyzes relevant policy, regulatory, standards, and market developments related to food traceability, interoperability, digital systems, and supply- chain transparency
• Helps develop advocacy strategies, messaging, and materials to advance GFTC priorities
• Supports participation in external meetings, workshops, consultations, and public forums
• Represents and champions GFTC initiatives with professionalism, credibility, and enthusiasm in internal and external settings

• Conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis to support GFTC initiatives, policy positions, and stakeholder engagement
• Synthesizes complex information into clear, practical insights for diverse audiences
• Applies food systems knowledge to interpret traceability challenges across supply chains, including how data, operations, regulation, and stakeholders interact
• Supports research activities, including data collection, literature review, policy review, and stakeholder input analysis

• Drafts and contributes to reports, policy briefs, public comments, presentations, guidance documents, talking points, and other materials
• Translates technical and policy concepts into accessible language for industry, government, NGOs, and other audiences
• Contributes to development of traceability best practices, implementation resources, and stakeholder-facing tools
• Supports communications that build understanding of GFTC’s role, priorities, and initiatives

• Supports execution of GFTC projects related to traceability, policy, technology, interoperability, and food systems
• Collaborates with internal team members and external partners to deliver project outputs
• Coordinates with the Program Manager to ensure alignment on timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder follow-up
• Helps gather input and feedback to inform GFTC outputs and initiatives
• Provides research, policy, and stakeholder insights to inform GFTC priorities and project development
• Contributes to proposals, concept notes, briefing materials, and supporting documents for new initiatives
• Identifies opportunities for GFTC to contribute to policy, regulatory, standards, and market discussions related to traceability

• Travel: 20–30% (domestic and international, depending on project needs)
• Ability to work across time zones and with global stakeholders

• 3+ years of relevant professional experience or demonstrated competency in industry, government, nonprofit, trade association, policy, advocacy, or related environments
• Experience engaging with regulators, policymakers, industry associations, or other stakeholders on advocacy, standards, regulatory, or public policy initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including industry representatives, government agencies, NGOs, technology providers, and supply chain actors
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical or policy topics into clear, accessible language for a wide range of audiences
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and…