CAFF has grown in size over the past few years and refined its focus on communities of farmers it aims to serve. This position will develop trainings and processes for staff to build shared understanding of the organization’s mission, vision, and core values and support staff in their efforts to build an anti-racist organization; this work includes efforts to serve an increasingly racially diverse farmer base, as well as advance conversations around racial justice with our white and Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) members. The Equity & Impact Director will serve on the CAFF Management Team and work to support the implementation of our 5-year strategic plan and the transformation of organizational culture in alignment with our organizational core values and capacities.This position will work closely with the Operations Director to create internal systems and track progress towards goals and work closely with Program Directors to resource their teams as they navigate transformation and provide some one-on-one support to individual staff.
In 2020, after an extensive discussion and reflection process, CAFF affirmed justice and equity as a core value, and a commitment to better serve the needs of BIPOC farmers. In 2021, we developed and adopted a Racial Equity Action Plan, with a particular focus on growing our capacity to serve Spanish-speaking Latinx farmers. CAFF’s internal staff-led Justice & Equity Committee has offered some organizational accountability and is seeking additional leadership and support to advance organizational changes. In addition, Latinx/Spanish-speaking staff developed Las Semillas (Latinx/Spanish language staff peer support network) and Cosecha Colectiva (Latinx/Spanish-language specific projects), as two organizational structures to ensure culturally and linguistically appropriate technical assistance is being provided to farmers.
The position is preferred in Davis, CA and particularly Northern California, given frequent trips to Davis. Additional travel will be required throughout California to support staff.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Essential responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
% Time Description
35% Lead Organizational Implementation of Justice & Equity
Facilitate ongoing staff learning through internal curriculum development and staff-wide trainings
Develop staff protocols for engaging farmer members and partners in conversations around racial justice
Support audit of CAFF operations, policies and procedures to uplift stated goals
Provide 1-on-1 support to individual staff, particularly BIPOC staff, and bridge different perspectives and experiences within the organization to ensure organizational accountability and healthy communication across staff and teams
Engage colleagues in other organizations in ongoing peer-learning and mutual support around organizational equity work, as appropriate
Partner with Senior Manager to enhance organizational structures and processes for Cosecha Colectiva and Las Semillas
Provide support and allyship for Latinx staff in advancing cultural and linguistic needs for Latinx farmers
Lead fundraising for justice & equity-related projects and trainings at CAFF as well as support fundraising for California Family Farmer Emergency Fund
30% Lead and Support Strategic Plan Implementation
Facilitate organization-wide process for evaluating progress towards or changes needed on annual goals
Support program directors with annual goal setting and team planning activities
Facilitate and support team-specific conversations around serving Spanish-speaking farmers
Support development of Board and Advisory Boards for organizational accountability
Lead development, design, and distribution of annual reports, in coordination with Communications Team
25% Facilitate Farmer Accountability
Support and enhance annual or bi-annual farmer listening and accountability process, partnering with Policy Director
Maintain and improve farmer compensation guidelines and practices
Manage California Family Farmer Emergency Fund, short-term financial assistance for drought, wildfires and floods, with focus on historically marginalized farmers
Support program team engagement in emergency assistance reforms of state and federal programs
10% Participate in Organizational Activities
Serve on CAFF’s Operations Team and Management Team and lead the Program Facilitation Team and the Justice & Equity Committee
Participate in quarterly program area team meetings (e.g. Farmer Services, Ecological Farming, etc.)
Participate in weekly CAFF all-staff meetings and two retreats or full-day all-staff meetings per year
Participate in local grassroots engagement efforts, including outreach and relationship building with farmers in your local community
Represent CAFF by participating in community activities and events as necessary
Participate in other administrative tasks as needed
Qualifications
Educational and Work Experience
Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent experience
At least 5 years experience working in a similar position, ideally with a nonprofit organization
Experience working with farmers in sustainable agriculture, or related fields preferred
Experience working in Latinx cultural communities is preferred
Significant experience in mediation, conflict resolution, and building organizational accountability are preferred
Demonstrated ability to create processes to advance justice and equity goals is preferred
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Leadership experience within non-profit setting
Experience with team building in a virtual/hybrid work environment
Skilled at facilitating conversations around racial equity
Strong understanding of what racial equity looks like in organizational practice
Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Strong organizational skills with an ability to handle competing demands
Effective English language written and oral communication skills
Proficient in Spanish language written and oral communication skills
Ability to work independently and remotely if necessary
Strong computer skills, including above average knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, Google Suite, and Wordpress or similar
Demonstrated ability to effectively work with and support diverse team members through your understanding of self, language, culture, and community
Familiarity with and enthusiasm for social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube
Willing to listen and able to maintain strict confidentiality
Desired experience: Salesforce and Adobe Creative Cloud
To apply: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and sample of your work that you feel is relevant to this position with the subject line “Equity & Impact Associate Director” to jobs@caff.org by Oct 15th, 2023. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis. This position is open until filled with a projected close date of Oct 15th. Reference requests will be made further along in the application process.