Job Description

Would you like a job where you absolutely know at the end of the day that you made a difference?  Roadrunner Food Bank is seeing unprecedented demand not only from those living with food insecurity every day, but also from families that are newly in need. You can be part of the solution by helping us continue to provide food and hope to those in New Mexico experiencing hunger.

We are seeking an Indigenous Partnerships Manager to be the primary relationship manager for all Indigenous agency and program partnerships, and to ensure that Food Bank resources are strategically leveraged for the greatest impact. The Manager understands and connects the needs of Indigenous communities and collaborates closely with those communities to identify approaches to addressing food insecurity, in a culturally responsive and respectful manner, acknowledging each nation’s sovereignty.  This is a full-time, exempt position which pays $48k - $50k annually. 

Responsibilities

Engagement & Community Organizing                                         

  • Engages with Indigenous-led/tribal-led serving partner agencies, program partners, community organizations, and other stakeholders in efforts, such as advocacy or community engagement, to foster collaboration and shift Food Bank-partner relationships from transactional to transformational
  • Forges trusting relationships and collaborative partnerships with community organizations and resources to meet the food access needs of food insecure Indigenous community members
  • Participates in community-based connections and coalitions within New Mexico’s Indigenous communities
  • Facilitates discussions around holistic approaches to providing services to community members among partner agencies and programs
  • Identifies connections and opportunities in existing and new relationships
  • Speaks publicly in a wide variety of environments and situations
  • Organizes and presents information, and responds to questions from groups, donors, partners, volunteers, neighbors, and the public
  • Nurtures trust with internal and external stakeholders

Program Development & Management                                            

  • In partnership with the Community Initiatives team - designs, implements, and continually advances the Food Bank's Indigenous partnership programming model(s) using evidence-based best practices, coupled with stakeholder feedback, keeping community members at the center  
  • Manages projects by pulling together all appropriate staff and resources and setting realistic timelines for completion.
  • Participates in interdepartmental work groups to create systems and processes that interact appropriately with other systems and all staff involved
  • Creates annual partner work plans with specific deliverables
  • Manages library of resources for partners to support their work
  • Ensures execution of Food Bank programs in connection with Indigenous communities
  • Manages and maintains up-to-date internal program calendars and Food Finder information on the website
  • Assists with the research, design, and evaluation of new programs and activities, as needed
  • Works closely with the SeedCorps AmeriCorps program team including advising on overall project focus and ensuring a positive member experience

Communication                                                                                       

  • Maintains effective communication among key internal and external stakeholders.
  • Works with staff to create surveys for partners, to solicit feedback to be more effective in meeting their needs
  • Creates and maintains a cadence for regular face to face interactions with partners
  • Actively engages with community groups with strong relationships with partners 
  • Manages program & partnership communications, including updates to Partner Portal on website and other communications, as needed
  • Works with the Community Initiatives Department, Development Department, key community partners, and volunteers to ensure consistent messaging and build support for partnerships, direct service programs, and activities
  • Solicits feedback from tribal community members to aid in decision making about future programs and changes
  • Utilizes multiple mediums (phone calls, emails, e-newsletters, website updates, etc.) for communicating policies, changes, and best practices to feeding partners 
  • Develops and amends program and partnership agreements, translating technical information to accessible, usable policies and procedures
  • Updates program and agency manuals, materials, and trainings as necessary
  • Develops and maintains clear communication around RRFB rules and regulations for partners
  • Communicates and solicits feedback from RRFB partners on food access programming and initiatives

Equip (Compliance & Safety)                                                     

  • Works with the Network Services team to ensure that all partner agencies and programs in manager’s portfolio are in compliance with Feeding America, NM FANS, and USDA guidelines, as applicable
  • Completes required monitoring visits with all partners in region within a 2-year timeframe
  • Determine corrective actions for any agencies or programs that are not in compliance
  • Manages the orientation and onboarding process for new Indigenous serving partners and programs
  • Develops and presents training to feeding partners on regulations, food safety, compliance, and basic food distribution
  • Supports regional partner agency meetings

Enrich (Training & Education)                                          

  • Develops, organizes, and conducts agency and program training, and best practices guidance, as well as specific tribal/cultural education training
  • Manages related trainings and meetings in collaboration with the Network Services team

Empower (Capacity Building)                                            

  • Works to increase the capacity of our partners to be more effective in their hunger relief efforts with a special emphasis on capacity building and training
  • Develops, organizes, and conducts agency and program capacity building activities

Supervisory Responsibilities                                                         

No direct supervisory responsibilities but may oversee SeedCorps AmeriCorps member(s) or volunteers.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant work experience
  • Comprehensive knowledge of New Mexico tribes, tribal governance structures and how to effectively conduct business with tribes  
  • Member of or identification with a Tribe, with a commitment to serving Indigenous populations and addressing food insecurity in those communities
  • Two years of program management experience, preferably with a Native or Tribal focused program
  • Two years of customer relations experience, preferably face to face interactions, assisting individuals with programmatic services
  • Position will spend approximately 60% of time in the office, 40% outside of the office, interacting with communities and other resource partners, including interstate travel and one to two nights a month overnight stays in varied New Mexico communities
  • Must be willing to occasionally work evening and weekends, typically 4-5 times per year for Hunger Hotline activities as well as select fundraising events
  • Related experience in and/or knowledge of social services and/or nonprofits
  • Cultural knowledge and sensitivity to work with sovereign nations, including tribal courts, tribal governments, and agencies.
  • Strong commitment to social justice and equity
  • Highly organized with superior attention to detail and excellent follow-up
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills are required, including group facilitation skills
  • Results driven with ability to manage time effectively by prioritizing tasks, and manage competing priorities
  • Ability to apply new skills and concepts quickly and display a willingness to learn and improve
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Windows and Office environment (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint) and standard office equipment
  • Must have a valid New Mexico driver’s license
  • This job is located in Albuquerque, NM

Preferred Qualifications

  • Member of or identification with a New Mexico Tribe
  • Proficiency in speaking Diné, Keres, Tewa, Towa, Tiwa, Apache or other relevant Native American language
  • Proficiency in speaking Spanish
  • Some supervisory experience
  • Prior food banking experience
  • ServSafe certified (will train if needed within 30 days of hire)

Employment Requirements

  • Successful Background Clearance

Physical Environment

  • Generally performed in an office environment (approximately 60% of the time), but some external travel is required; mostly in-state, but will occasionally attend conferences or food bank visits outside of New Mexico
  • Frequently required to visit partner sites across New Mexico that necessitates physical mobility, sitting in a vehicle for extended periods of time, mobility in areas with limited infrastructure
  • May occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds
  • When participating in programmatic activities like food distributions, may be exposed to heat, wind, cold, precipitation, etc.

Cover letter and resume required. Currently interviewing - please apply as soon as possible.

Roadrunner Food Bank is an equal opportunity employer