Job Description

Summary Of Job Duties

The Executive Director of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) is a member of the School of Law team. The Director is responsible for leading all aspects of the national work associated with the IFAI. The Executive Director is responsible for developing, executing, and maintaining a comprehensive policy analysis and Tribal Governance strategy for the IFAI. The Director is responsible for conceptualizing, directing and executing strategies for elevating the work of the IFAI and is responsible for activities to increase the visibility and profile of the IFAI in its major national initiatives. The Executive Director will be working directly with Tribal governments on matters of governance and economic development, Tribal colleges and inter-tribal organizations, as well as the partners to the IFAI in the execution of the IFAI programs. The Executive Director will also work directly with foundation and private funders. This position reports to and is evaluated by the School of Law Dean and faculty director of IFAI and works in collaboration with colleagues throughout the campus. The Executive Director supervises all staff of the IFAI. The Director leads all fundraising activities to support the work of IFAI and is also responsible for directing research, communications, economic analysis, policy analysis and related materials and products of the IFAI. This position involves frequent travel long distances by air or vehicle on behalf of IFAI for various events and requires representation of IFAI and the University of Arkansas in public and private settings at the executive level. This position is required to be located at the IFAI headquarters in Fayetteville, AR.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job function of this job, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications
* Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
* JD degree from an accredited Law School.
* At least six of experience as an attorney.
* Barred in at least one state and/or federal court.
* At least six or seven years of experience working with federal Indian law and policy, agriculture and/or related field (attorney and non-attorney).
* Experience leading or co-leading national initiatives on food and agriculture policy.
* Experience in delivery of projects funded by federal or private organizations.
* At least six years of experience in national policy analysis, predominately in food and agriculture (attorney and non-attorney).
* At least three years of experience working with tribes, national inter-tribal organizations, and/or firms focusing on policy analysis and development (attorney and non-attorney).
* At least five years or more of progressive experience in public speaking with large audiences, training, technical assistance in agriculture and Indian law and policy.
* Technical assistance and training experience with Native American populations.
* Comfort with fundraising including experience in direct communication with philanthropic organizations.

Preferred Qualifications
* Advanced degree from an accredited institution in food, agriculture, and/or policy.

* Previous experience providing policy interface between American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian governments on complex issues related to agriculture, food, rural economic development, and business development.
* Previous experience in agriculture policy development and implementation.
* Willingness to work as part of a complex team of professionals on issues related to supporting of Native farmers and ranchers.
* Experience in advising Native American organizations, tribal governments, and/or inter-tribal organizations and providing tribal governments with advice on complex legal and policy issues, specifically related to food, agriculture, and related issues.
* Experience working in technical or advisory capacities with legislative and/or executive branch officials at the federal level.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
* Demonstrated knowledge and understanding working with complex issues of law and policy affecting Native populations, with focus on agriculture and food and related natural resources issues.
* Working knowledge of MS Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
* Strong problem solving skills with the ability to identify and evaluate problems, as well as devise effective solutions with minimal supervision.
* Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to set priorities meet deadlines and manage workload.
*Demonstrated supervisory skills.
* Demonstrated skills in working with attorneys in professional environment.
* Demonstrated ability to handle complex law and policy matters, interface with the public on complex matters, and seek answers and solutions to complex matters.
* Demonstrated ability to utilize critical thinking skills to find solutions to complex legal issues facing Native communities, with focus on food and agriculture.
* Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues.
* Ability to speak effectively one-on-one, in small groups or in large and very large groups, as well as with media professionals.

Responsibilities

25% - Provide professional expertise in the intersection of Indian law and policy and Agriculture law and policy and apply such expertise in the context of regular interface with Tribal governments and their communities.

35% - Direct and lead the activities of the IFAI in all aspects; provide key leadership for all professional and non-professional staff.

10% - Considerable public speaking and public representation of the work of IFAI and ongoing technical expertise provided to Tribal governments, intertribal organizations and their communities.

15%- Successful supervision of IFAI program and professional staff.

15% - Successful and effective execution and leadership of all administrative duties in leading the IFAI staff in all projects underway and to be developed.