Operations Associate

The Global Alliance for the Future of Food is looking for a talented Operations Associate to support our global operations 4 days a week (0.8 FTE). This individual will help our Operations Team strategically advance our mission, leveraging our resources and networks to ultimately help transform food systems towards greater sustainability, security, and equity. This is a remote, freelance contract opportunity [not restricted by country of residence] for 1 year, with strong potential to extend the contract or transition to a full-time position.

Our ideal Operations Associate has experience, ideally in a food systems or global movements, nonprofit, or philanthropic setting—or with a shared passion for our principles and commitment to food systems transformation. They will be highly organized and detail-oriented, as well as possess strong judgment and comfort working in a dynamic non-profit with a global presence. The ideal candidate has experience and interest playing a lead role in managing our CRM, our Google Drive, and acting as a key project coordinator and scheduler. Moderate Excel/G-sheet experience is a strong plus. If possible, we seek to start our new contractor on May 13th, 2024.

Please submit a resume or CV and answer a few brief questions via our online application below. We're accepting applications immediately and encouraging applications by April 12, 2024 or until the role is filled.

Location: The ideal candidate will work between Atlantic Time (GMT -3:00) and Pacific Time (GMT -7:00) Zones.

Contract position: Operations Associate

Compensation for this contract opportunity will be equivalent to $300 USD per day, at approximately 192 days per year.

The Global Alliance for the Future of Food is a strategic alliance of philanthropic foundations working together and with others to transform global food systems now and for future generations. We believe our unique contribution is threefold:

• Forge new insights and strengthen evidence for global systems change
• Convene key food-systems actors, facilitate meaningful dialogue, and strengthen interconnections
• Stimulate local and global action and interaction for transformational change in collaboration with other committed stakeholders

Founded in 2012, the Global Alliance is a compact, agile team of 14 located around the world. This is a new role within our Secretariat Team; you will play an essential role in supporting the GA's core operations. This multifaceted role will offer you the opportunity to identify operational challenges and implement solutions, ultimately ensuring smooth operations across the organization. The ideal candidate will be highly organized and detail oriented, and will thrive in a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Reporting to our Operations Lead and working closely with our Operations Director and Executive Director, you will play a pivotal role in streamlining our core processes, enhancing our organizational efficiency. This 1-year contract position (at least to start) is a terrific stepping-stone toward a full-time Operations role. The majority of our team has stayed for years and we hope that will be the case with you too. Compensation for this contract opportunity will be equivalent to $300 USD per day, at approximately 192 days per year.

Network Contacts and Databases Management

• Provide support on platforms and systems to ensure optimal use for our remote team
• Enter and update contact information in our CRM database (Zoho) and maintain membership status, renewal dates and grant history
• Generate contact lists, perform data cleanup for batch imports into our CRM and conduct regular data cleanup, troubleshooting, and categorization to maintain database integrity
• Manage uploads and updates in the Members' Hub on Howspace
• Maintain Google Drive files and folders, including labels and tagging for easy access
• Act as main point of contact for general inbox inquiries
• Maintain a thorough understanding of GDPR requirements, and best practices and monitor the GA's GDPR compliance

Project and Meeting Support

• Support collaborative planning, coherent workflow, and timeline coordination across the Secretariat Team and member working groups
• Track and coordinate project deliverables and milestones including proposal requirements, submission and reporting deadlines
• Facilitate open communication and collaborative tools, such as updates, shared project dashboards/platforms, to ensure transparency and accountability across teams
• Maintain an organized and up-to-date calendar and Google contact lists for the team
• Provide general support to the Secretariat Team, Steering Committee and Working Groups including note-taking, Zoom links, recordings and breakout rooms, and agenda preparation

Support to Executive Director (25%)

• Provide general administrative support to the Executive Director (PST time zone), including scheduling, travel and itinerary development, expenses, meeting coordination and follow up

• At least 1-2 years of professional experience in a food systems or global movements, nonprofit, or philanthropic setting
• Excellent project coordination and organizational skills
• At least 1 year of experience managing databases and CRM systems, as well as proficiency in Google Workspace, Zoom, and Slack
• A keen eye for detail and accuracy, especially in data management, document preparation, and calendar management
• Practice of, and commitment to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice
• Strong communications skills; fluent (written and spoken) English is required; second language an asset
• Comfort working in a rapid, complex environment and ability to take initiative in solving problems proactively
• Periodically conduct international travel (at least 2 organizational meetings and gatherings a year)

The Global Alliance for the Future of Food is a project of the Meridian Institute. We are committed to the principles of equity and diversity in employment. Our membership and secretariat team are located in different geographic regions. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

To apply, please submit a resume or CV, and answer a few brief application questions, here. We encourage you to apply right away and before our application deadline of April 12, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

About the Meridian Institute

A 501(c)(3) organization, Meridian Institute builds understanding, guides collaboration, and drives action to address the world's complex challenges. Over the past two decades Meridian has worked with partners to develop and implement solutions to complicated, often controversial problems – big and small, global and local. Meridian accomplished this with an innovative approach that brings together a deep understanding of the issues at hand as well as the people, politics and power dynamics that surround them; a dedicated expert team; and the ability to foster constructive discussions, manage decisions, and support actions that shape the world for the better. Meridian provides services in collaboration, implementation, strategy, research, and philanthropic services. Across issues, boundaries, and systems, Meridian's work is a catalyst to powerful impact.

Compensation for this contract opportunity will be equivalent to $300 USD per day, at approximately 192 days per year.