Schedule:  Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week

Supervisor: Manager, Program & Partner Services 

Status: Full-Time

Classification: Exempt

Overview: The Partner Charity Network is the core of Second Harvest’s mission to grow hope in our region by creating pathways to nutritious food The role plays a vital part in strengthening and expanding a diverse and inclusive network, where each partner’s unique contribution is essential. The position involves providing partners with the necessary tools and guidance to succeed, as well as leading the creation and implementation of new projects addressing the specific needs of the 4-county service area, ensuring these efforts are both effective and sustainable. Collaboration with partners is key to developing initiatives to create access to nutritious food in a manner that is fair, respectful, and person-centered. The role also focuses on fostering strong relationships and promoting continuous improvement, always keeping the well-being of the community in mind. 

Specific Responsibilities:

Partner Network Capacity: Knowledge Building & Sharing 

• Cultivate trust, build community, and establish a spirit of collaboration within our partner network.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive network environment, encouraging the sharing of best practices and resources. 
• Monitor, document and evaluate innovation happening throughout our Partner network. Create engaging materials and/or presentations to support education and training events. 
• Develop capacity assessments to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for growth within partner organizations. 
• Create engaging materials and/or presentations to support education and training events.
• Maintain and create core documentation to better educate and inform our network partners, ensuring accuracy and accessibility.
• Help to plan and execute quarterly engagement sessions for the Partner Network. Sessions could be virtual training, interactive workshops, listening sessions, etc. 
• Participate in the planning and execution of the annual Partner Charity Conference 

Partner Network Capacity: Growing Distribution Capabilities

• Act as the subject matter expert for service delivery, program innovation and capacity building, providing guidance and support to partners and staff. 
• Schedule touchpoints with network partners for capacity and capability conversations. Work closely with current partners to co-create solutions tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. 
• Maintain a portfolio of pilot projects/new partners that need extra help to maintain growth and stability and enhance service delivery and design. Act as the main contact point.
• Work with Partner Compliance Specialist to shepherd new partners through the onboarding process. 
• Collaborate with the Partner Compliance Specialist to guide new partners through the onboarding process, ensuring adherence to the quarterly onboarding schedule and facilitating a smooth integration into the network.
• Be forward-thinking and try out new ideas quickly, see what works best, making sure to focus on what being person-centered. Track implementation successes and failures, make changes if needed. 
• Think strategically, creatively and holistically about program development to improve overall impact for vulnerable populations, strengthen partnerships, and mitigate resource gaps.
• Work with Programs & Partner Services Manager to help to identify new partners.

Partner Network Communications

• Design new ways to engage with our network of partners throughout our region utilizing creativity, adaptability, and an asset-based mindset. 
• Coordinate and distribute weekly newsletters to partner charities, providing updates on Second Harvest initiatives, upcoming events, trainings, and other  relevant resources to support partner engagement and communication.
• Enhance the weekly newsletter by transitioning to a dedicated newsletter platform, ensuring a more professional, engaging, and user-friendly format for delivering important updates and resources to partner charities.
• Develop and maintain a feedback loop with partners. This can be in the form of a survey, comment form, etc. Document and maintain feedback and review with Department leadership.
• Act as the first point of contact for the internal team and partners for fielding concerns or issues around partner charity, create a process to document and refer to appropriate staff as needed. Ensure team member or partner is informed of outcomes. 
• Along with the Program & Partner Services Manager, serve as a point of contact for the Grants Administrator, providing program details and statistics as needed.

Partner Grants Programs

• Coordinate communications around annual grant programs for department including: the Capacity Building Grants and Food Grants. Send all grant-related communications, including award and denial letters, ensuring timely and clear communication with partner charities throughout the grant process.
• Prepare and send grant opportunities to all eligible program contacts. 
• Ensure all applicants follow the application process and adhere to grant requirements.
• Refine and  implement a clear process for grant application ranking, approval, and denial, ensuring transparency and consistency while providing feedback to partner charities on application outcomes.
• Compile all grant submissions and relevant information for review by the Programs & Partner Services Manager and Director, ensuring accurate and comprehensive data for decision-making.

Reporting & Meeting Requirements

• Plan and  execute quarterly engagement sessions for Partner Network, these will be held on a quarterly basis. 
• Help to plan  & execute Partner Charity Conference in October.
• Create and  conduct capacity assessments of individual programs within the Second  Harvest Partner Charity Network, this will be conducted annually and completed by the end of each fiscal year.  
• Attend and engage in the weekly Department meeting and monthly All Team meeting.

Requirements

General Responsibilities

• Uphold the values and mission of Second Harvest at all times.
• Display courtesy and respect at all times to Second Harvest employees, volunteers, donors, member agencies, and the general public.
• Maintain confidentiality in all matters pertaining to Second Harvest.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Self-motivated and self-directed, with an attention to detail
• Customer-service oriented 
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Highly developed oral & written communications skills.
• Excellent Computer Skills, including MS Office.
• Demonstrated experience with data collection, reporting, and program evaluation.
• Ability to work in partnership with other staff & across departments.
• Ability to travel throughout the service area for meetings and/or conferences.
• Valid Driver’s License.

Education /Training

• Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent Experience in social work, non-profit, education or community relations.
• Trained in Trauma Informed Care principles. (Will Train)
• Completion of SERV Safe Food Safety Certification. (Will Train)
•  Certified in CPR/AED & First Aid every two years. (Will Train)
• Complete USDA Civil Rights Training for Food Distribution annually. (Will Train)

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• General office environment.
• Travel throughout Lorain, Erie, Crawford, and Huron counties is required.