Government Affairs Manager

Description

This position requires occasional evening and weekend work.

The Government Affairs Manager is responsible for strategically identifying and building critical relationships with state government officials and guiding staff interactions with county and city government officials. This role proactively develops collaborative relationships with organizations working on factors that drive food insecurity to further Houston Food Bank’s vision of “a world that doesn’t need food banks.” This position researches and analyzes policies, communicates this information to internal and external stakeholders, and assists staff in creating opportunities to enhance the community’s advocacy skills so they can provide input to policymakers.

This role is also responsible for preparing issue briefs, testimony, talking points, presentations, and other appropriate communiques to inform the community and elected officials. The Government Affairs Manager assists during times of disaster as a liaison between government entities and HFB departments and will be periodically called upon to share talking points with media.

Adhere to PACT values. (

Purpose:

Using our strengths passionately to contribute to our mission. Accountability:
Choosing to rise above one’s circumstances and demonstrating ownership to achieve results. See It. Own It. Solve It. Do It. Courage: Standing up for what’s right and acting. Transparency: Doing things openly and honestly).

1.Builds Relationships with State Government Officials.

• Serves as a liaison to state government officials and their staff for areas served directly by HFB and through its partner organizations.
• Assists in connecting state government officials with HFB or community stakeholders/resources that can meet the needs of their constituents.
• Works with elected offices to arrange tours of HFB and HFB partner organizations.
• Maintains a database of government officials and their staff and inputs significant touchpoints to track metrics.
• Provides state government officials with information pertinent to their constituents, including data on food insecurity, HFB partners in their district/precinct, pounds of food distributed, etc.

2.Researches and analyzes policies that impact Houston Food Bank Affiliates, HFB partner organizations, and their clients, and communicates this information to internal and external stakeholders.

• Researches and tracks information from various sources and stakeholders that could impact HFB’s operations or its client populations and reports this information to government officials.
• Identifies opportunities for local government funding that would support HFB’s work and clients.
• Tracks and reports on state election cycles.
• Works with HFB Marketing and Communications Department and other Houston Food Bank staff to maintain and update content for the Action Center and advocacy webpage, including updated data on hunger and poverty, calls to action, and advocacy alerts on pertinent policy and legislation.
• Works collaboratively with other HFB departments to understand the experience of HFB operations and programs and translates policy and government insights for HFB leadership.

3.Works with key stakeholders to elicit input on systems change and creates opportunities to enhance their advocacy skills and provide input to policymakers.

• Collaborates with HFB staff who interact with community members to identify and train client advocates and creates opportunities for community dialogue about hunger and poverty-related challenges and potential systemic solutions.
• Provides advocacy training for partner organizations.
• Maintains consistent communication with HFB partner organizations to identify policy solutions that further HFB’s vision…