Connecticut Foodshare is the food bank serving all of our neighbors across the state. Working with a strong network of community-based hunger relief programs, we help provide nutritious food as well as long-term, sustainable solutions to food insecurity. By joining Connecticut Foodshare, you will be part of a team that helps drive community awareness, garners support, leverages research, and engages volunteers, to realize our vision of a thriving community free of hunger. 

Position Summary:

The New England Council Fellow is a trusted member of the Government Relations team reporting directly to the Chief of Staff. This temporary position will develop tools and resources to support Connecticut Foodshare’s ongoing advocacy work to increase state funding for the Connecticut Nutrition Assistance Program. This includes aggregating and processing qualitative and quantitative data, developing talking points, social media templates, and other resources to form an external advocacy toolkit for public use. This position will have the opportunity to engage with cross-functional teams and engage with direct service opportunities. 

The New England Council is a regional business association. Their mission is to foster economic growth and high quality of life in the region. The fellowship program was established this year in honor of their 100th anniversary and aims to help college students gain valuable work experience to prepare them for long-term career success. Connecticut Foodshare was chosen to host a fellow in our state.

This fellowship is open to current students pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree and is particularly relevant for students in the fields of social sciences, public health, public policy, or social work, although any student with a passion to help individuals facing food insecurity may find value in this experience. 

This paid fellowship will be based in our Wallingford office and requires your own transportation. Hours are estimated at 25-30 per week for a ten-week period starting in mid-June. Some schedule flexibility is available. 

Essential Duties and Accountabilities:

• Research and compile available quantitative and qualitative data for reporting to internal and external audiences
• Using advanced written communication skills develops written advocacy materials to a variety of audiences
• Applies knowledge of public policy and advocacy to craft messaging aligned with policy goals
• Collaborates across teams to develop materials aligned with brand guidelines and established tone
• Using advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills, solves complex problems; resolves issues satisfactorily within policies and requirements using multiple approaches as necessary to solve the problem.
• Tracks multiple tasks through to completion in a timely manner while independently adjusting priority levels as needed.
• Accurately conveys information that may be complex or detailed 
• Prepares reports by collecting and analyzing information. 
• Provides administrative support to the Government Relations Team 
• Performs other related duties as assigned.  

Additional Fellowship Responsibilities:

• The Fellow will submit a 1000-word essay at completion, reflecting on the fellowship experience as part of this opportunity. 
• A luncheon in Boston will be hosted at the end of the summer to meet with New England Council members and other fellows along with other opportunities for networking throughout the summer.
•  Submission of a photo and brief bio will be posted on the New England Council website.
• Candidates will have a final interview with New England Council representatives prior to hiring.

Minimum Education/Experience:

• Progressing toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social science, public health, public policy, or social work field.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office products: Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel and familiarity with online shared data forms.