Director, Agricultural Policy

Duration

This is a two-year fixed-term position with full benefits and the possibility of extension.

Location

This position is based in Washington, D.C. and may be remote or hybrid out of our D.C. office.

Overall Function

Agriculture is responsible for nearly a quarter of global greenhouse gas pollution, with the overuse of nitrogen-based fertilizer and methane emissions playing a major role. The Director, Agricultural Policy, will lead EDF’s efforts to develop and implement effective and innovative agricultural policy solutions in the United States and around the world in order to reduce impacts to air, land, water, and climate. The Director will bolster EDF’s leadership on agricultural policy, markets, and innovation and will catalyze a growing global strategy to ensure effective teamwork and management across the organization and with key partners. This role, a key leader within the Climate-Smart Agriculture team and the Agriculture, Water, and Food (AWF) focus area will report to the Vice President, Climate-Smart Agriculture.

Key Responsibilities

• With key colleagues and partners, lead the development of strategies and workplans for agriculture policy, with a specific focus on cropland and fertilizer use.
• Partner with the Vice President, SVP, and EDF Development to engage trustees and donors and to raise funds to advance our mission, and liaise with EDF Executive Team and Board of Trustees as needed.
• Identify emerging issues and trends to identify EDF’s role and value add, and develop strategies based on assessed needs and opportunities.
• Guide strategy for analyzing complex agriculture issues and designing solutions to reduce climate impacts of agriculture by strengthening management and aligning stakeholders’ economic incentives with the health of the planet.
• Advance EDF Organizational Effectiveness and Culture (OEC) goals so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
• Serve as a lead authority on issues of agricultural policy and implementation of improvements, including effective and authentic community engagement, which ensuring attention to issues of equity and justice.
• Regularly communicate in various fora (internal, public, etc.) on key areas of expertise, representing EDF and the Climate Smart Agriculture team.
• Provide expert advice and consultation to the policymakers, partners, staff and other stakeholders on agricultural policy.
• Play a key lead role in fundraising efforts, including drafting strategically relevant proposals, growing relationships with donors and foundation officers, tracking and reporting progress, and other functions.
• With the Vice President, work to identify and cultivate new funders and individuals to contribute to the fundraising goals.
• Identify and oversee consultants and coordinate with staff and partners to ensure aligned execution of work to achieve results and work closely with financial operations lead on budget matters.
• Guide, motivate and develop staff, prioritizing professional development and ensuring staff understand how their work relates to EDF’s global strategy.
• Effectively coordinate across EDF teams (AWF, Political Affairs, OCS, OCE, and others) to ensure EDF priorities are met.
• Develop a team management plan that clarifies roles and responsibilities, empowers staff, and ensures staff are in the right roles.
• Take accountability for effective and impactful implementation, ensuring that EDF attains its technical, financial and contractual commitments for work under the Director’s purview.
• Proactively identify and manage risks, escalating as necessary to executive leadership.
• Ensure compliance with EDF’s policies, procedures and project management processes, and actively contribute to the strengthening of these.
• Serve as a global thought leader and thought partner to influence the broader Ag, Water and Food agenda.
• Guide and oversee novel research that advances our understanding of resilient cropland mitigation and leads to robust solutions.
• Periodically author op-eds or other thought pieces to enhance EDF’s positioning and expand understanding of policy (and other) solutions.
• Proactively strengthen existing and cultivate new partnerships from all sectors (public, private, nonprofit, etc.) that enable EDF to expand the scope, scale and impact of its work.
• Convene key government, private sector, community and other stakeholders to advance programming priorities.
• Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience and a Bachelor's degree required. A Master’s degree may substitute for up to two years of experience.
• Deep subject matter expertise in agriculture and fertilizer use.
• Strong track record of planning, developing, and implementing strategic programs across complex institutional and stakeholder landscapes.
• Proven ability to lead small teams, oversee multiple complex projects concurrently, and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary internal team members and external partners in a dynamic environment across multiple time zones.
• Attention to detail, personal organization skills, and exceptional project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to use independent judgment to plan, prioritize, and organize a diversified workload and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated success in building trusted, high-impact relationships with government agencies, universities, NGOs, agricultural organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Proactive with a strong ability to set priorities and take initiative consistent with broad strategic guidance and to execute in a fast-paced environment with varied stakeholder interests.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency, and inclusivity and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Willingness and ability to engage in travel, as needed.

Application Instructions

Along with your resume, please submit a cover letter detailing your personal interest in the role and in EDF, and include an individual writing sample, if possible. Preference will be given to applications with cover letters/writing samples and will be strongly considered over those who choose to submit only their resume/CV.