Public Policy Manager

Job Title: Public Policy Manager

Status: Full Time (grant funded), Benefits Eligible

Reports to: Director of Public Policy

The Arizona Food Bank Network (AzFBN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization looking for a committed, community-minded person who values our vision of a hunger-free Arizona to join our team. The Advocacy Manager supports AzFBN’s efforts to end hunger by advocating for improvements to nutrition programs that help Arizonans in need. This is a grant-funded position with funding secured for two years to focus on improving access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS, or Medicaid), primarily through non-legislative advocacy pathways.

Grant funding for this position has been secured for one additional year (the position was initiated one year ago) and AzFBN hopes to continue this critical work as part of our regular budget by the time the grant ends.

Position Description

If you have a passion for identifying and addressing the root causes of hunger, this position is for you! AzFBN collaborates with partners throughout the state who implement food and nutrition programs that serve clients in need.

The Advocacy Manager is responsible for research and analysis of existing and emerging anti-hunger policy areas at the state level for low-income children, families, and older adults. Specifically, this position will explore ways to improve and streamline the implementation of SNAP and AHCCCS in Arizona. Using a landscape analysis and working as a part of the AzFBN Public Policy team, this position will evaluate ways to make these key programs more adequate, accessible, and equitable across the state, primarily through non-legislative pathways. This includes working with state and federal executive branch agencies during the regulatory development and implementation process.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Explore and refine AzFBN’s state policy landscape analysis for SNAP and AHCCCS using existing statute, research, data, stakeholder interviews, Arizona’s Cash and Nutrition Assistance Policy Manual, and other resources.
• Strengthen and maintain relationships with state agency partners that administer SNAP, AHCCCS, and other anti-hunger benefit programs, with an emphasis on supporting successful rollout of a new online benefits portal that meets client needs.
• Outline available state options and federal waivers to improve SNAP and AHCCCS adequacy and accessibility in Arizona.
• Develop and execute administrative advocacy campaigns, in partnership with the Director of Public Policy, which are evidence-based, include perspectives of people with lived experience of food insecurity, and incorporate steps for monitoring impact.
• Evaluate innovative approaches to new or expanding program and policy areas driven by data collection and analysis.
• Draft publications, including policy briefs, impact briefs, fact sheets, and outreach materials focused on SNAP, AHCCCS, and other key anti-hunger programs.
• Coordinate and represent AzFBN in meetings with state and federal officials and their staff, with the goal of improving programs for food banks and their clients.
• Raise awareness about food insecurity and available policy solutions.
• Support facilitation of standing meetings with coalitions (including the Arizona Basic Needs Coalition, School Nutrition Advocacy Group, AzFBN’s Public Policy Task Force), and participating in discussions with state and national partners.
• Collaborate with other AzFBN departments on cross-cutting efforts, as appropriate, including communications, community programs, development, and member services.

Minimum Qualifications for Education, Training and Experience:

A well-qualified individual has strong interpersonal and communications skills, an excellent ability to gather and analyze complex data, and a basic understanding of federal benefits. A working knowledge of the legislative process in Arizona and the regulatory process in general is a plus. A bachelor’s degree in political science, public administration, public policy, or social work—or an equivalent amount of related professional experience—is required.

Other desired attributes:

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Strong ability to organize ideas and present findings in a logical manner.
• Strong data analysis skills, and familiarity with Microsoft Excel or other relevant software.
• Ability to work independently with urgency for short deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse group of people in a team approach to build consensus and achieve successful results.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated self-starter with problem-solving ability.
• Ability to maintain positive working relationships with a variety of stakeholders.

AzFBN operates in a hybrid model, where on-site work in the Phoenix office and telecommuting options available. You must have a valid Arizona driver’s license and willingness to travel as needed.