Find your place in the field of good food

Our goal is to connect good people with good food. We advertise sustainable food jobs and training opportunities to help jobseekers and employers find each other.

Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Job description

Purpose of the role

Sustain works to improve food supply systems by increasing the production, purchasing and consumption of healthy and sustainably produced food, through improvements in policy and practice.

The Food Supply Project Officer will support delivery of Sustain’s work on food supply (Sustain Strategy Goal 3), strengthening agroecological supply chains and improving public sector food systems through policy and practice, including some focused work on public sector food procurement.

The role will work with councils, local food partnerships, food supply chain actors and other stakeholders to support policy advocacy, practical delivery, research, engagement and communications.

The role also contributes to national and local activity that advances Sustain’s strategic objectives on food procurement and supply, including supporting policy, practice and partnership development to increase the policy support, procurement, supply and uptake of fruit, vegetables and pulses.

A key focus is supporting work to influence the public sector procurement policies and buying decisions of local and national government. This includes working with London councils and the Greater London Authority, and/or others in the Sustainable Food Places network who show promising potential for relevant work and policy commitments, in order to demonstrate that ambitious public sector food standards are feasible and replicable, and using that evidence and wider experience to drive national policy reform.

Role and responsibilities

This role supports activity across Sustain’s Food Supply Chains Goal, helping to run projects, research, stakeholder engagement, communications and advocacy to strengthen sustainable food supply chains and improve public sector food procurement. The postholder will be an organised and personable individual, working closely with councils, local food partnerships, and others to build evidence, support practical delivery, influence policy and promote the production, procurement and uptake of healthy, sustainably produced food, especially fruit, vegetables and pulses.

Project delivery and support

• Support, and where appropriate lead, on projects, campaigns and programme priorities, working closely with the Programme Manager and wider team, particularly in relation to increasing fruit, vegetables and pulses in food supply chains and public sector food procurement.
• Manage day-to-day project activity, provide administration support including organising meetings, maintaining records and monitoring progress across agreed activities.
• Initiate and contribute to delivery of Sustain’s work on public sector food procurement, including research, stakeholder engagement and policy advocacy.
• Draft, collate and report project information, ensuring deadlines are met and work is well organised.
• Support and contribute to programme development; development of ideas, initiatives and the case for support; fundraising and funder relationships as required.

Stakeholder engagement and partnership working

• Build and maintain relationships with partners, working groups, and place-based stakeholders.
• Engage with government, council procurement teams, decision-makers and sector stakeholders to inform and influence policy and practice on food procurement and supply, and support and create opportunities for alliance members and other stakeholders to engage.
• Support coordination and delivery of the Sustain Food Supply Chains working party, including arranging meetings, taking accurate minutes, maintaining membership contact lists and administration and development of sub-groups or task-and-finish groups.
• Work across internal teams and networks to ensure alignment and shared delivery, including convening cross-team discussions on supply chains and procurement work where appropriate.

Events and engagement

• Plan and deliver events, meetings and engagement activities, including webinars and external events.
• Support logistics, promotion and delivery of events, including in relation to speakers, venues, catering and participants, organised in line with the Charity’s policies and guidance.

Research and data

• Undertake research and analysis that supports delivery of project aims, including desk-based and stakeholder research and case studies relevant to sustainable food supply chains and procurement.
• Collect, manage and analyse data for reports, briefings and to support monitoring, evaluation and learning including identifying emerging themes, gaps and insights.
• Prepare drafts and contribute to reports using templates and with guidance of Manager.

Communications

• Plan and deliver communications and engagement activities across a range of channels.
• Produce written and digital content including newsletters, blogs, case studies and social media.
• Contribute to production and distribution of programme communications outputs, including newsletters and updates to stakeholders.
• Work with colleagues to ensure communications are timely, accessible and aligned with programme objectives.

General and organisational contribution

• Contribute to a positive team culture and collaborative working across Sustain.
• Ensure equity, diversity and inclusion are embedded across all areas of work.
• Undertake any other responsibilities in connection with the work that may arise from time to time.

Note: This job description is not exhaustive and will be subject to periodic review. It may be amended to meet the changing needs of the charity. The post-holder will be expected to participate in this process, and we would aim to reach agreement on any changes.

 

Person specification / What we’re looking for

Knowledge and understanding

• Understanding of sustainable food systems, supply chains and/or related policy/practice areas (E)
• Experience of working on funded projects or programmes (E)
• Knowledge of relevant sectors (e.g. farming, supply chains, food procurement, local authorities, food partnerships) (D)

Skills and abilities

• Communicate clearly and effectively in writing and verbally for a range of audiences (E)
• Gather, analyse and present information to support decision-making and influence others (E)
• Highly organised, confident at managing project administration, data, records, contact lists, actions and reporting processes, and managing multiple tasks and deadlines (E)
• Build positive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders (E)
• Work accurately and manage data, records and reporting processes (E)
• Use standard digital tools and systems to support delivery (E)

Experience

• Experience of supporting delivery of projects, campaigns or programmes (E)
• Experience of research, reporting or producing written outputs (E)
• Experience of organising events, meetings or stakeholder engagement activities (E)
• Experience of using communications channels (e.g. web, newsletters, social media) (D)
• Experience of policy, advocacy or campaigning work, including contributing to evidence or communications aimed at influencing decision-makers (D)
• Experience of the above in food and/or farming context (D)

Qualifications and training

• Relevant experience in a similar role or equivalent transferable experience (E)
• Relevant qualifications or equivalent skills and experience (E)

Commitment and approach

• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (E)
• Interest in sustainable food and farming, public sector food procurement, and/or related policy areas (D)

Important information about the role

• Please note that all applicants must currently have the right to work in the UK.
• A DBS check is not a requirement for the role in the first instance. A DBS check or an enhanced DBS check may be necessary if the role develops into participation in events involving children, young people or vulnerable adults.
• Satisfactory references are required before an offer of employment is made.
• The offer of employment may be withdrawn if you do not meet the criteria above.

Download the job pack for full details of the role.

Application information

1. Email recruitment@sustainweb.org including:

•Your CV Please label the file in the format ‘CV-your-full-name’.

•Your supporting statement (covering letter) Detail in 500 words how you meet the person specification requirements of the role. Label as ‘Statement-your-full-name’.

2. Complete the recruitment form

We will only accept applications where a CV, supporting statement and completed recruitment form has been received.

Application closing date: Thursday 3 September 2026 at 5pm (BST)

Please mention Roots to Work when applying for these jobs