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/* Written  9:58 AM  Jun 16, 1995 by foodfirst in igc:dev.foodfirst */
/* ---------- "Media/Publicity Job Opening" ---------- */
Please Post
      JOB ANNOUNCEMENT       

June 9, 1995 -- starts asap

Policy Director (Communications, Media Relations, 
Publicity)

The Institute for Food and Development Policy - also 
known as Food First - is a progressive, independent, 
non-profit organization engaged in analysis, research, 
advocacy, and education-for-action on hunger and 
poverty, environmental degradation, and alternative 
development policies, for the Third World and the US.

Overview

We are seeking a Policy Director to provide leadership 
in communications, media, publicity, outreach and 
advocacy, to increase the profile and impact of the 
InstituteUs work.  The Policy Director will be 
responsible for developing, planning, coordinating, and 
raising funds for the following programs:

Communications, Media and Publicity (60% time 
allocation)

It is the responsibility of the Policy Director to 
increase the public profile of Food First to maximize 
the Institute's impact on public opinion and policy.  
The Policy Director provides leadership in this arena, 
which includes the print, broadcast and electronic 
media, as well as our own in-house publishing program.

Specifically, the Policy Director must obtain and 
enhance general media coverage for the Institute and its 
programs, including:

*  Cultivating a network of media contacts.
*	Pitching stories, arranging interviews for Food First  
   staff, etc.
*	Writing, editing, and placing op-eds and other opinion 
   pieces in a range of publications.
*	Issuing press releases around newsworthy events 
   related to Food First program areas and  projects.
	
The Policy Director also functions as publicist for the 
Institute's in-house publishing operationQFood First 
BooksQdeveloping publicity for books and other Food 
First resources in collaboration with the Managing 
Editor, including:

*	Designing general book promotion campaigns (in 
conjunction with our distributor), including 
advertising, press releases, book tours/signings, 
author interviews, etc.
*	Developing and cultivating a network of book review
   editors to review Institute books widely.
*	Releasing press releases for, and coordinating 
distribution of our Development Reports, Policy 
Briefs, and Backgrounders to academics, policymakers, 
journalists, and other opinion-makers and policy-
makers.	

During 1995 the Policy Director will organize and 
spearhead, in collaboration with the Deputy Director, a 
20th Anniversary campaign for the Institute, including 
special events, publicity, and fundraising.

Outreach and Advocacy (30% time allocation)

A key function of the Policy Director is to insure a 
multiplier-effect for the Institute's analyses and 
viewpoints.  To that end the Policy Director must:

*	Develop the use of electronic media (Peacenet, 
Internet, World Wide Web, etc.) to make Food First 
materials more widely available and to get the 
Institute's message out.
*	Cultivate, develop and maintain a network of 
relationships with like-minded activist, development 
and research organizations, who are important users of 
the information, analysis and materials developed by 
Food First, and work in coalitions with other 
organizations on relevant issues.
*	Ensure that the Food First viewpoint is heard and 
well-represented at domestic and international venues 
in which the Institute can have an important impact.
*	Actively promote and distribute Food First materials 
to members, the general public, educators, students, 
activists, international audiences, and policymakers. 

Not essential, but useful:

*	It would be a plus if the Policy Director were able to 
present the Institute's viewpoints and analysis 
through public speaking and interviews.
*	It would be a plus if the Policy Director could 
develop and cultivate contacts with key opinion-
makers. 

Some longer term projects in the Outreach category, on 
which the Policy Director would collaborate with the 
Deputy Director and the Development Director, are:

*	Develop a program and materials to more actively 
incorporate the Institute's 8,000 members.
*	Develop, coordinate and fundraise for the Food First 
Fellows program, to consist of a small group (10-12) 
of scholar-activists at other institutions who 
systematically collaborate with the Institute.
*	Develop, coordinate and fundraise for the Visiting 
Third World Scholar-Activist program, in which we hope 
to have one visitor-in-residence each year.

FoodFirst Information and Action Network (FIAN) -- Human 
Rights (10% time allocation)

*	Serve as interim coordinator for FIAN-Coordination 
     USA, the US section of an international human rights 
     organization working for the right to feed oneself.  

Qualifications

The Policy Director must:

*	Have a demonstrated commitment to progressive social 
     change and the principles upon which our work is 
     based.  Familiarity with the history of Food First and 
     our issues is a major plus, as is an activist 
     background.
*	Have proven experience in communications, media 
     relations, and publicity.  Experience with special 
     events a plus.  Having an existing network of media 
     and activist contacts is a major plus.
*	Be Internet literate; familiarity with Econet/Peacenet 
     and World Wide Web a plus.
*	Possess excellent verbal and written English; editing 
     skills a plus; Spanish and other foreign-language 
     skills a plus.  An effective presentation style, being 
     a strong public speaker, and "giving a good interview" 
     are pluses.
*	Demonstrated fundraising ability through grant-writing 
     and other methods is a plus.
*	Have demonstrated project management and supervisory 
     skills, should be able to manage and use interns and 
     volunteers effectively.
*	Be highly motivated, with a demonstrated ability to 
     assume responsibility, get things done, and work 
     effectively in a team environment.  Must have 
     excellent human relations and interpersonal skills. 
*	Be ready and motivated to learn those skills not 
     already possessed.

Salary and Benefits

Salary range is $22,000-$28,000 annually. Full medical, 
dental and vision insurance.

Hiring Policy

There is no deadline for applications. The search will 
continue until a suitable candidate has been hired.  
Food First is an equal opportunity employer, and we 
actively encourage women and people of color to apply. 

Starting Date   June 15, 1995


How to Apply

Send cover letter, rsum, and three (3) references 
(include telephone, fax, and e-mail if available) and 
samples of your work which would be useful to the search 
committee (press releases, opinion pieces, articles, 
taped interviews and/or talks, etc.).

Policy Director Search Committee
Institute for Food and Development Policy Q Food First
398 60th Street, Oakland, CA  94618  USA

Tel: (510) 654-4400  Fax: (510) 654-4551  E-mail: 
foodfirst@igc.apc.org