

<p><strong>Ulupono Initiative (Honolulu, HI)</strong></p>
<p><strong>Title: </strong>Associate, Government Affairs</p>
<p><strong>Managed by: </strong>Director of Government Affairs</p>
<p><strong>Issue Date:</strong> Jan. 23, 2023                                                                 <strong>FLSA Status: </strong>Exempt</p>
<p><strong>ABOUT ULUPONO INITIATIVE:</strong> Ulupono Initiative (UI) is a Hawai‘i-focused impact investment firm sponsored by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife, Pam. The organization strives to improve the quality of life for the people of Hawai‘i by working toward solutions that create more locally produced food, increase renewable energy and clean transportation to reduce our dependence on imported oil, and better manage our freshwater resources. UI believes that self-sufficiency and resilience are essential to our future prosperity and will help shape a future where economic progress and mission-focused impact can work hand in hand. Our approach is based on systems thinking. For each of our investment areas, we aim to understand the entire landscape and identify critical intervention points that, when altered, will improve the outlook for Hawai‘i’s future and residents’ quality of life.</p>
<p>UI’s model allows the organization to work towards our mission in a variety of ways. We make investments in for-profit companies, provide grants to non-profit organizations, advocate on policy and regulatory issues, and we sometimes act as a catalyst or convener around critical issues related to food, energy, transportation, and fresh water.</p>
<p><strong>POSITION SUMMARY: </strong>The Associate, Government Affairs is primarily responsible for supporting public policy efforts within UI, including evaluating policy &amp; regulation, performing financial/economic analysis of such policies, drafting proposed legislation and statements of UI’s support/opposition of policy (as directed), and working with partner organizations to help public-private partnerships to achieve goals. The role requires understanding government grant/funding opportunities, plus evaluating new funding opportunities to secure government and/or other private-sector funding. One will need to have (or develop) a strong understanding in County, State, and Federal laws and regulations related to UI’s primary sectors. Projects may include policy/regulatory advocacy work, in-depth internal research in UI’s primary sectors (local food production, renewable energy, clean transportation, and freshwater management), managing consultant research/support, and other strategic initiatives to advance UI’s public policy objectives and mission. Other work may include supporting the assessment of grants made through the donor-advised Ulupono Fund at the Hawai‘i Community Foundation and other investments.</p>
<p><strong>Responsibilities</strong><strong>:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Support government affairs initiatives
<ul>
<li>Assist in development of public policy strategies in each focus area, including research, diligence and analytical assessment of policy ideas and recommendations</li>
<li>In close coordination with internal sector leads as well as external consultants, assist in policy and regulation evaluation, policy tracking, and testifying/intervening processes, including producing research and analytical support for testimony, materials and presentations on policy initiatives</li>
<li>Develop documents/products that help to synthesize complex policy concepts and data and translate them into written communications and graphics</li>
<li>Assist in prioritizing policy/regulatory positions based on probable impact vs. resources (cost and time) committed to achieve the desired change</li>
<li>Evaluate potential public-private partnerships against fit with UI strategy and financial prospects (viability and impact)</li>
<li>Assist in meetings with, and build relationships of trust with, policy makers, regulators, and interest groups</li>
<li>Monitor developments in State and County policy agendas with a focus on opportunities to achieve maximum mission impact</li>
<li>Develop understanding in County, State, and Federal funding opportunities related to UI’s primary sectors and supporting partners in competing for such funding</li>
<li>Support planning and policies at the State and County levels to reflect current and expected trends within UI primary sectors</li>
<li>Help investment, communications and other team members understand the possible effects of policy or policy changes on their work</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Support communications, investments and other strategic initiatives
<ul>
<li>Collaborate closely with the Communications team to ensure testimony, presentations, talking points and other materials for internal/external audiences are in harmony with the language and positioning of UI</li>
<li>Work across internal teams to provide research and analytical support of certain initiatives as assigned</li>
<li>Assist the evaluation and analysis of funding opportunities, including potential impact and market/industry research</li>
<li>Assist and sometimes take the lead in drafting project and funding documents</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Project management and supporting key stakeholders
<ul>
<li>Support and sometimes manage cross-disciplinary teams by collaborating with sector leads, functional leads and/or external teams to address goals and projects requiring multiple skill sets to advance UI strategy and mission</li>
<li>Manage and support research and program assessments, including coordinating and communicating with external partners</li>
<li>Build and maintain key relationships and knowledge within UI’s primary sectors</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Support UI as needed
<ul>
<li>Assist senior-level and management team members as assigned</li>
<li>Support internal strategy development and monitor/report on goals</li>
<li>Understand the implications of industry and public policy trends in UI’s primary sectors</li>
<li>Function as part of team internally to advance UI strategy and mission</li>
<li>Represent UI in a manner that is consistent with our mission and values</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>QUALIFICATIONS: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li>At least 2-years experience in public policy, lobbying, planning, and/or project management</li>
<li>Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint</li>
<li>Excellent research and analytical skills</li>
<li>Strong project management skills with the ability to successfully work on multiple projects involving different internal teams and deadlines</li>
<li>Detailed-oriented, self-driven, and organized and able to work within an inter-disciplinary team environment</li>
<li>Excellent interpersonal skills with strong outreach and communications abilities</li>
<li>Collaborative team player; needs to be comfortable being evaluated on both firmwide success and individual performance</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Preferred:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>2-3 years working with Hawaii policy makers or local legislative experience</li>
<li>Experience working in/with one of the key sectors within UI mission</li>
<li>Demonstrated track record of outreach experience and successful relationship building</li>
<li>Existing network and relationships in Hawai‘i, particularly within government, planning, and/or development</li>
<li>Knowledge and understanding of Hawai‘i legislative system and regulatory process, including State and County</li>
<li>Prior demonstrated interest in creating positive social impact highly desirable, with a proven interest in creating positive impact in Hawai‘i</li>
<li>Strongly aligned with UI’s mission and values</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>How to Apply:</strong> Submit a cover letter and resume to <a href="mailto:communications@ulupono.com">communications@ulupono.com</a> by Feb. 28, 2023. (Please note that our team will be reviewing resumes and progressing with qualified candidates as submissions are received.)</p>