Community Organizer

NAMA Community Organizer

The Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance is a fishermen-led organization building a broad movement toward healthy fisheries and fishing communities. We build deep and trusting relationships with community based fisherman, crew, fishworkers and allies to create effective policy and market strategies. We are seeking an experienced community organizer to work in fishing communities to achieve the goals of NAMA’s new and exciting strategic plan with an emphasis on our work to achieve food justice and seafood market transformation.

The right person will work with the NAMA team and our network to organize in fishing communities and strengthen our work with food system advocates and seafood purchasers in the health care sector, universities and colleges, and values-based seafood businesses.

The right community organizer will:

• Have a deep commitment to racial equity and food justice;
• Help coordinate a national network of community based fishermen and allies;
• Work closely with our food justice allies working to change the current food system;
•   Familiarize the communities with NAMA’s work and philosophy, the policy transformations we seek and the market avenues we are pursuing;
• Gather fishermen’s ideas for solutions and help create teams within our network to achieve the right outcomes;
• Mobilize our base to take action; and,
• Implement other strategies and tactics in support of achieving collective objectives.

This position requires familiarity with a broad array of campaign tools and techniques, and the ability to combine those techniques strategically to achieve organizational goals.

The individual will report to the Coordinating Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in organizational discussions regarding strategic issues, the production of materials and policy positions, and event planning.
• Implement strategies and tactics developed to achieve goals.
• Have a special focus on our food justice and market transformation work.
• Keep the team informed of activities and recommend changes in tactics, or strategies, if necessary.
• Assist in information flow within the organization as well as throughout our networks.
• Write reports, policy positions, advocacy materials and other documents as necessary.
• Assist the team in the design and implementation of strategies to educate and mobilize various constituencies about issues and goals important to healthy fishing communities.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the policy issues and be able to present the information to a variety of audiences in language they can understand.
• Maintain a working knowledge of political, legislative, regulatory and economic frameworks relevant to the work at local, regional and national levels.
• Be part of the coordination team of our network – the Fish Locally Collaborative – and further existing relationships as well as develop new ones with our target constituencies including: fishermen, fishing community organizations, grassroots organizations, seafood businesses, various professional groups, and others as identified in strategic planning.
• Develop or assist in the development of fact sheets and other public information.
• Write, or assist in writing press releases and in planning media strategies. Act as spokesperson to the media and develop a pro-active relationship with media.
• Contribute to NAMA’s social media presence.
• Represent NAMA and our work at public events, grassroots meetings, and to the various audiences at large.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Education commensurate with job responsibility.
• Equivalent experience in relevant field preferred.

Skills

• Experience using or ability to easily learn how to use Internet based tools for organizing, communications, outreach, and advocacy work.
• Strong research and writing skills.
• Organizational skills, including experience with project management.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral.
• Problem solving and analytical skills.
• Political organizing skills, especially in alliance building.
• Leadership skills.
• Strong listening skills.

EXPERIENCE/ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Minimum of 5 years experience in advocacy – especially oceans/fisheries issues.
• Track record in successful campaigning and implementation of a vision.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and dismantling racism.
• Demonstrated ability to take on projects that are interlinked with other projects.
• Proven ability to work both independently and in close coordination with a team.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse range of people and groups.
• Strong skills and experience in research/writing, public speaking/lobbying, and/or organizing people around an issue.
• Experience interacting successfully with media, including television.
• Ability to travel.
• Ability to work in a remote office with minimum daily supervision.

LOCATION

Negotiable within a reasonable travel distance to NAMA office in Gloucester, MA.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary commensurate with experience. Although NAMA does not provide health insurance directly, we do reimburse staff for their health care premium costs. NAMA offers generous holiday, sick leave and personal time leave.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We carefully consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, class, national origin, family status, age, disability, marital status, ancestor, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please send cover letter, resume, salary requirements and three references to Niaz Dorry, NAMA’s Coordinating Director via email only to jobs@namanet.org by January 15, 2017.