Senior Policy Specialist, Public Investment and Industry

Position description

The Good Food Institute is a nonprofit think tank working to make the global food system better for the planet, people, and animals. Alongside scientists, businesses, and policymakers, GFI’s teams focus on making plant-based, fermentation-enabled, and cultivated meat delicious, affordable, and accessible. Powered by philanthropy, GFI is an international network of organizations advancing alternative proteins as an essential solution needed to meet the world’s climate, global health, food security, and biodiversity goals.

How You Will Make a Difference 

Alternative proteins can make our food supply more resilient to pandemics, climate change, and other disruptions—but only if consumers can buy them. Right now, many companies face significant challenges in achieving commercial scale, and private capital is not always enough. In this role, you will have the opportunity to leverage your analytical and people skills to connect alternative protein companies to existing government resources. You will also develop policies to support vital industrial infrastructure and make public resources more responsive to the needs of the market. 

The Senior Policy Specialist, Public Investment and Industry will be responsible for:

• Developing a landscape analysis of public resources available to companies that make plant-based, fermentation-enabled, or cultivated meat.
• Analyzing statutory and regulatory text to determine eligibility and application requirements for government programs, as well as summarizing the compliance requirements for receiving particular government funds.
• Educating representatives of government programs about the alternative protein industry and ways that this category of companies can meet eligibility requirements.
• Working closely with GFI’s Corporate Engagement team to match the needs of companies with existing government programs.
• Convening government officials and the private sector to improve information sharing and generate new ideas. 
• Collaborating with other Policy team members to develop and promote proposals to improve access to government programs through legislation, regulation, or other policy mechanisms.
• Working proactively with GFI’s Development team to assess the program’s impact and share significant updates with donors.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Who We’re Looking For 

The Senior Policy Specialist, Public Investment and Industry must have:

• Five years’ experience analyzing legislation, statutory language, and/or regulations, or a law degree from an accredited law school. 
• Experience navigating complex government programs or equivalent (e.g., challenging statutory language in court or drafting legislation). 
• Federal agency experience (especially in funding programs) or corporate experience (especially in the alternative protein industry) preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex information clearly in writing and in oral presentations.
• Strong work ethic and self-motivation, including the desire to spend a significant amount of time meeting with agency staff.
• The ability to work independently and with a team.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Impeccable ethics when handling sensitive information, discussing government programs with policymakers, conducting confidential conversations with stakeholders, and complying with relevant laws and internal policies.
• Sound judgment in decision-making, including setting and managing priorities, proposing and meeting deadlines, and resolving logistics challenges.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels like they belong.
• Strong support for GFI’s philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in plant-based and other alternative proteins, public health, environmentalism, climate change, animal protection, or hunger relief.
• A commitment to GFI’s values: believe change is possible, do the most good we can, share knowledge freely, act on evidence, and invite everyone to the table.

We want the best people and we don’t want biases holding us back. We use a third-party anonymizing tool to redact personal information from submitted applications — including name, location, contact details, and several other factors — to reduce bias and increase fairness in our process. We strongly encourage people of every race, color, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability to apply. Since we value a diverse workplace, we prioritize an inclusive climate absent of discrimination and harassment during the application process and after you join the team. 

Research indicates that men tend to apply for jobs when they meet just 60% of the criteria, while women and people from other marginalized groups only apply if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about GFI’s mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. 

The Fine Print

• Terms of employment: Full-time, exempt
• Reports to: Jessica Almy, Senior Vice President of Policy
• Location: Farragut Square, Washington, D.C.; Hybrid (Monday/Thursday in office; Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday your choice of home or office).
• Travel: Up to two weeks per year for organization retreats.
• Benefits: Working from home, full medical coverage, optional dental and vision packages, a 401(k) plan with employer match, flexible holiday and vacation plans, opportunity for advancement, respectful managers, and supportive colleagues. More information here: https://tinyurl.com/GFIBenefits. 
• This is a U.S.-based position: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. 
• COVID vaccination policy: GFI requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be requested before the start of employment. GFI will consider requests for accommodations or exemptions from this policy on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with applicable laws. More information here: https://tinyurl.com/GFICovidPolicy. 
• Salary: $104,258.25 – $108,428.58 (depending on experience and qualifications) if hired before December 31 with a cost of living adjustment of 3.2% taking effect on the first pay date in 2024. If hired after December 31, the starting salary range for this role is $107,594.51 – $111,898.29 (with the 3.2% cost of living adjustment built in).

Application Deadline: November 29, 2023

Application instructions

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