Education and Workforce Development Specialist

Analyze and build the alternative protein workforce ecosystem

The Good Food Institute (GFI) is a nonprofit think tank working to make the global food system better for the planet, people, and animals. Alongside scientists, businesses, and policymakers, GFI’s teams focus on making plant-based, fermentation-enabled, and cultivated meat delicious, affordable, and accessible. Powered by philanthropy, GFI is an international network of organizations advancing alternative proteins as an essential solution needed to meet the world’s climate, global health, food security, and biodiversity goals.

How You Will Make a Difference 

The alternative protein sector is poised for significant growth in the coming decade. As the pace of technological progress accelerates, so does the demand for an inclusive and highly-skilled workforce to advance the research, scale-up, and production of plant-based, cultivated, and fermentation technologies. In this role, you will work collaboratively to identify, analyze, and solve the education and training bottlenecks of the future food workforce. The Education and Workforce Development Specialist will be responsible for:

• Working closely with the Education and Workforce Development Manager to develop and execute a strategic plan to build a robust and inclusive workforce for alternative protein R&D and manufacturing. 
• Conducting research and analyses to understand the current and future state of the alternative protein workforce, including establishing data streams around the size, diversity, and composition of the existing workforce, mapping the existing landscape of education and training programs, tracking quantitative and qualitative signals that model evolving talent needs for the growing alternative protein sector, and advising workforce development partners on the basis of these emerging trends.
• Utilizing the aforementioned research to develop and deploy resources, events, and programs that address awareness and training needs across the workforce spectrum (K-12, post-secondary, industry) for students, educators, employers, and other partners. This includes improving and maintaining educational materials and resources like GFI’s teaching library, online course, alternative protein career portal, and course database, and building net-new resources and programs, like train-the-trainer workshops. 
• Developing and executing strategies with academic and industry partners to increase student engagement and retention in alternative proteins courses, pathways, degrees and ultimately the workforce. Examples include career development initiatives such as internship and apprenticeship programs, mentorship programs, and more.
• Identifying and managing communication channels and strategies to increase awareness and reach, regularly sharing and collecting information with partners in the field, and improving engagement with education and workforce development resources.
• Managing all of the aforementioned responsibilities with a focus on advancing the equity and inclusion of the alternative protein workforce.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Who We’re Looking For 

An ideal candidate for the Education and Workforce Development Specialist position will have experience that reflects the following:

• Fluency in education and workforce systems, and a functional understanding of the science of plant-based, cultivated, and fermentation-enabled technologies, as demonstrated by a relevant post-secondary degree and 3 years of professional experience or 5+ years of professional experience if no post-secondary degree. Strong preference for experience analyzing workforce data, building programs at technical and community colleges and/or vocational schools, and within the food or biotech industry.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical and organizational skills, and the ability to break down complex strategies into manageable tasks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to tailor messages to a range of different audiences in the workforce development ecosystem. 
• Ability to analyze, process, and communicate data from forms, spreadsheets, reports, and other documents.
• Proven ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, showing sensitivity and respect for different perspectives, values, and customs.
• Self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and in concert with a larger group.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels like they belong.
• Comfort working remotely and in a rapidly growing and evolving organization.
• Strong support for GFI’s philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in plant-based & other alt proteins, public health, environmentalism, climate change, animal protection, or hunger relief.
• A commitment to GFI’s values: believe change is possible, do the most good we can, share knowledge freely, act on evidence, and invite everyone to the table.

We want the best people and we don’t want biases holding us back. We use a third-party anonymizing tool to redact personal information from submitted applications — including name, location, contact details, and several other factors — to reduce bias and increase fairness in our process. We strongly encourage people of every race, color, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability to apply. Since we value a diverse workplace, we prioritize an inclusive climate absent of discrimination and harassment during the application process and after you join the team. 

Research indicates that men tend to apply for jobs when they meet just 60% of the criteria, while women and people from other marginalized groups only apply if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about GFI’s mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. 

The Fine Print

• Terms of employment: Full-time, exempt
• Reports to: Jeremy Eltz, Education and Workforce Development Manager
• Location: Remote; United States 
• Travel: Flexible, but anticipated travel of 3 to 5 weeks per year for conferences, workshops, and organizational retreats, mostly within the United States (reasonable accommodations and exemptions from the retreats are considered on a case-by-case basis).
• Benefits: Working from home, full medical coverage, optional dental and vision packages, a 401(k) plan with employer match, flexible holiday and vacation plans, lifestyle spending account, opportunity for advancement, respectful managers, and supportive colleagues. More information here: https://tinyurl.com/GFIBenefits. 
• This is a U.S.-based position: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. 
• Salary: $72,915.96 - $76,281.66 (depending on experience and qualifications)

Important Dates

Application deadline: August 13, 2024

Anticipated start date: September 30, 2024