Company description

The Congressional Hunger Center (CHC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to make issues of domestic and international hunger a priority to policymakers in the U.S. government, and to raise a new generation of leaders to fight against hunger and poverty. Our mission is to train and inspire leaders who work to end hunger, and to advocate public policies that create a food secure world. We strive to be a leader in the movement to ensure access to food as a basic human right for all people. We create and nurture a community of innovative and inspiring leaders who act as change agents, bridging the gap between grassroots efforts and national and international public policy to provide access to nutritious, affordable and culturally appropriate food. We accomplish this mission through our advocacy, policy and coalition work, and our two leadership development programs; the Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program, and the Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellows Program.

Job description

The Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program is a leadership development program that trains, inspires, and sustains a network of leaders committed to social justice.

Emerson Hunger Fellows gain practical experience fighting hunger and poverty through field placements in community-based organizations across the country, as well as policy experience through placements in Washington, D.C. Fellows also explore the root causes of hunger and poverty in a peer learning community. The Emerson program bridges community-based efforts with national public policy to develop Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellows as effective leaders in the movement to end hunger and poverty.

Each year 16 participants are selected from across the country for this year long program. They assemble in Washington, D.C. in August for a comprehensive orientation and field training, where they learn about hunger, poverty, and racism in the United States and strategies for social change. Fellows are placed for half the year with community-based organizations involved in fighting hunger and poverty at the local level, such as grassroots organizing groups, advocacy organizations, economic development agencies, food banks, hospitals, and local government offices. Each host organization identifies specific goals and outcomes for the Fellows' projects and provides the supervision and resources necessary to accomplish them. In mid-February, the Fellows regroup in Washington, D.C. to share and reflect on their field experiences and participate in an extensive policy training.

Fellows then work in national nonprofit organizations and federal government agencies that develop, implement, and advocate for policies that address hunger and its root causes, including racism. During their time in D.C., Fellows complete research, outreach, advocacy, and public education projects that support national policy initiatives. Throughout the year, the Fellows develop a strong learning community for reflection, resource sharing, and skill building that supports their field and policy work and their leadership development.

The Congressional Hunger Center will provide Emerson Fellows with a total financial package of no less than $32,000 over the duration of the fellowship. Housing Support will be provided during the Field Placement.

Selection Criteria

• Commitment to racial equity and social justice
• Demonstrated leadership qualities and skills
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Flexibility and ability to adjust to new situations
• Creativity and initiative in problem solving
• Enthusiasm for learning from experts in the field, and searching for new models in anti-hunger and anti-poverty work
• Experience working in low-income communities
• Excitement about peer learning in a tight-knit community of Fellows

For more information about the Emerson Program and for details on the application process, please visit our website: http://www.hungercenter.org/fellowships/emerson/

Compensation

this position is: stipend / non-monetary compensation

Application instructions

Deadline

January 11, 2017