NOC is Hiring!
National Organic Coalition Seeks Consultant to Lead Work with National Organic Standards Board
Background
Teamwork. Consensus. Organic Integrity. We believe in growing organic as the alternative to our conventional food and ag system. We believe two heads are better than one, that there is strength in diversity and in listening to one another. We believe in positive solutions to big challenges and that we can make a difference. Because of these beliefs, we have worked to grow and sustain the National Organic Coalition for the past 20 years.
The National Organic Coalition (NOC) is a national alliance of organizations working to provide a "Washington voice" for farmers, ranchers, environmentalists, consumers, and industry members involved in organic agriculture. NOC seeks to advance organic food and agriculture and ensure a united voice for organic integrity, which means strong, enforceable, and continuously improved standards to maximize the multiple health, environmental, and economic benefits that organic agriculture provides. The coalition works to assure that policies are fair, equitable, and encourage diversity of participation and access.
NOC is seeking a consultant to facilitate our work with the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The NOSB is the organic stakeholder board that advises the USDA on organic policy and regulations, including making recommendations about organic standards and materials. The NOSB holds public meetings twice a year. NOC participates by submitting written comments to the NOSB and providing oral testimony at NOSB meetings.
NOC’s participation in these meetings is a key part of our work to maintain organic integrity. As a diverse coalition with representatives from farmer organizations and the business community, as well as environmental and consumer advocacy groups, we are uniquely positioned to weigh in on which materials should be allowed in organic, and changes and clarifications that we need to make to the organic standards to protect the integrity of the organic seal. While we recognize that farmers need access to tools to create viable and productive farm businesses, we are firmly committed to removing materials that harm the environment or human health and are no longer necessary in organic.
Key deliverables and areas of work:
The NOSB Consultant’s key deliverables include:
- Working closely with members of NOC’s NOSB committee to identify which materials and topics the committee would like to discuss and include in NOC’s written comments.
- Understanding different perspectives of NOC coalition members and working with the NOC NOSB committee to seek common ground to craft NOC positions.
- Scheduling NOC NOSB committee calls, crafting agendas, and acting as a facilitator during committee calls.
- Producing notes from committee calls (with support from NOSB committee members), posting notes to online file-sharing platform, and keeping NOC members informed about the committee’s work.
- Conducting research as needed to support the work of the NOC NOSB committee; evaluating technical reviews and other key documents produced by the NOSB.
- Producing an executive summary document describing the issues that NOC plans to comment on with a succinct description of NOC positions (due ~ 2 weeks before the comment deadline for the Spring and Fall meetings).
- Drafting NOC’s written comments to the NOSB in partnership with NOC members; reviewing, editing, and submitting NOC’s written comments via the federal register with oversight from NOC’s executive director.
- Attending NOSB meetings and oral comment webinars which take place two times each year in April and October. During the pandemic, meetings have been taking place in a virtual format via zoom, though we anticipate that the NOSB will resume in-person meetings in the coming months.
- Producing written record/summary of key discussions and decisions made by the NOSB during NOSB meetings and oral comment webinars. Provide analysis of outcomes on NOC’s top priority issues, including how each NOSB member voted for key votes.
- Assisting as needed with planning and facilitating NOC Pre-NOSB meetings.
- Drafting and presenting oral testimony to the NOSB in coordination with NOC’s executive director.
- Commenting to USDA via the federal register on proposed rules to make changes to the National List.
- Planning, preparing, and co-presenting, with the NOC executive director, NOSB meeting debriefs for NOC Members and Network Affiliates in mid-May and mid-November.
- Participating in NOC monthly member calls and the NOC annual meeting and lobby day, as available.
- Participating in monthly racial equity committee calls and racial equity training as time allows.
Qualifications
We are seeking a professional who possesses:
- Outstanding interpersonal skills; the consultant will need to be a strong facilitator and have experience with participatory group process.
- A collaborative spirit and excellent listening skills; the consultant needs to have the ability to listen to different perspectives and seek common ground.
- A keen understanding of the organic industry and standards; we are seeking a consultant who has experience with the Organic Foods Production Act, the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations, and the NOSB. A background in chemistry or biology and/or a degree in a scientifically related field are a plus. Organic inspection and certification experience are a plus.
- Excellent writing and public speaking skills, attention to detail, and an analytical mind.
- A passion for and experience in organic agriculture and food systems issues
- An understanding of how racial inequality impacts US agriculture and institutions. A commitment to building a more equitable and inclusive organic movement.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, Zoom, and Google Suite (Google Drive, Docs and Sheets).
- An ability to work efficiently, with flexibility and good humor and someone who brings spark and creativity to our coalition work. Self-directed.
- Ability to travel domestically to Washington, D.C. and pre-NOSB meeting locations two to three times per year.
Compensation and Hours
This is a negotiable contract opportunity, with a budgeted consulting rate of $40 to $47 per hour depending on qualifications and experience. Travel expenses to NOSB & other relevant meetings will be provided. The position requires approximately 20 hours per week on average from mid-February through April and mid-August through October with additional hours required at the end of April and October during the NOSB meetings. We anticipate that the workload will not be even during each “NOSB semester” and some weeks (i.e. the week before comments are due) may require significantly more than 20 hours of work. We anticipate a total contract of approximately 220 hours for the fall, 2022.
This is a remote work opportunity, but the consultant needs to have the ability to travel to NOSB meetings (if held in person) two times each year (late-April and late-October). NOC seeks a consultant who will lead this work on an ongoing basis. The initial contract will be for the late summer & Fall 2022 with a possibility to renew your contract in 2023.
To Apply:
Please submit a cover letter highlighting your skills and qualifications, resume, and list of three references (please indicate relationships) to: info@nationalorganiccoalition.org, subject line “NOSB Consultant.” Deadline Monday, April 11, 2022.
NOC seeks to create diverse team of consultants and coalition members. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, people from working class backgrounds, women, LGBTQ people, or those who are members of other marginalized communities.