Land Access Program Manager

Job description: The Land Access Program Manager leads in managing and facilitating RAFI’s land access project, serving as the main point of communication. Their key responsibilities encompass a range of activities including strategic program planning, budget management, staff supervision, relationship/partnership management, and policy advocacy. They are instrumental in executing RAFI’s Gaining New Ground project’s vision and objectives, while also acting as its spokesperson and cultivating external relationships. 

Essential Position Responsibilities:

• Gaining New Ground Program Management (80%)

• Lead project conceptualization, execution, evaluation, and enhancement in collaboration with RAFI’s internal Land Access Working Group and organizational leadership

• Lead federal grant management and administration of USDA Gaining New Ground project, including subawardee, financial, and budget management

• Supervise Land Access Case Manager and manage external contractors and land acquisition process for project

• Regranting, Technical Assistance, and Farmer Support (10%)

• Develop and evolve project technical assistance strategy with Land Access project partners, including regranting programming

• Recruit and work with advisory committee to determine structure for Land Access regranting programming and facilitate with Awards Manager

• External Relations and communications (5%)

• Act as spokesperson for the program

• Co-develop and approve all outgoing Land Access communications

• Policy and Advocacy (5%)

• Represent RAFI in policy spaces as required

• Serve as formal liaison between the land access program and policy team

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated successful program management experience

• Comfort working with non-English speaking stakeholders

• Comfort with or ability to learn about farm credit and finances

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Exhibits persistence, attention to detail, and follow-through

• Excellent relationship-building capacity

• Active learner & self-starter; ability to seek information independently, self-educate, and take initiative on projects and work plans.

• Ability or willingness to learn to work with remote staff

• Managing high-functioning teams

• Dedication to RAFI’s values

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Fluency in Spanish

• Federal grants management experience

• Eye for program evaluation and continuous improvement

• Experience working in Salesforce or other CRM

• Comfort with ambiguity and flexibility

Compensation: Full-time salaried, exempt position. Annual salary of $71,451 based on 40 hours/week. Generous benefits package includes paid time off, 401k, medical, dental, life insurance, and long/short-term disability insurance plans. This position is funded by a federal grant through November 30, 2028.  Grant-funded positions are contingent on additional funding becoming available after the conclusion of the grant.

Location of Position: Remote with priority given to applicants based in North Carolina. Applicants must be based in the southeast US or Puerto Rico. Employees based in the Triangle region of North Carolina are encouraged to work in RAFI’s coworking space one day per week.

How to Apply: Applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and professional references. We will accept applications until the position is filled. In your cover letter, please state why you are interested in working for RAFI and share any skills or experiences you have that make you an ideal candidate for this position. Please no calls or emails.

About RAFI:  Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI) challenges the root causes of unjust food systems, supporting and advocating for economically, racially, and ecologically just farm communities. We envision a thriving, sustainable, and equitable food system where farmers and farmworkers have dignity and agency; where they are supported by just agricultural policies; and where corporations and institutions are accountable to their community.

RAFI’s Salary Rates: RAFI’s salary policy is implemented based on the goals of fair, clear and transparent criteria for salary rates with clear standards that minimize the effect of negotiation skills or preference. RAFI’s salary policy sets salary rates for positions based on the responsibility level that the position holds. Given this, RAFI does not negotiate salary rates. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: RAFI is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair, merit-based employment practices. All employment decisions — including hiring, promotion, compensation, and access to training, mentorship, and professional development — are based on qualifications, performance, and organizational need, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. RAFI is committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination and harassment, and to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees. We look for people who want to contribute as part of a dedicated, hard-working, collaborative team.Research shows that many qualified candidates hesitate to apply for a role unless they meet every listed qualification. If you are excited about this position and meet many, though not all, of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. RAFI participates in federal grant programs and certifies its compliance with all applicable federal nondiscrimination laws. 

Work Authorization: RAFI does not sponsor work visas; this position requires authorization to work in the United States.