Advocacy Intern

Reports to: Senior Public Policy Manager 

Supervisory Position: No

Position Status: Part-Time (10-15 Hours/Week)

Travel Required: Yes

Hybrid: Yes

Start Date (Flexible): January 25, 2027, to May 14, 2027 

Position Summary: 

The Advocacy Intern will support GBFB’s government relations and grassroots advocacy efforts, with a focus on strengthening community engagement and advancing policies that improve food access across Eastern Massachusetts.

This position offers hands-on experience in legislative advocacy, grassroots organizing, coalition building, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and public policy. The Intern will work closely with the Senior Public Policy Manager and collaborate across GBFB’s External Affairs team. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator and relationship-builder who is interested in public policy advocacy and is eager to translate policy issues into meaningful opportunities for community engagement.

Role & Responsibilities

• Support GBFB’s grassroots advocacy program, including advocacy trainings, Massachusetts State House lobby days, and digital advocacy strategies.
• Develop and facilitate advocacy trainings and resources for community members and agency partners, including preparing neighbors with lived experience of hunger for legislative meetings and public advocacy opportunities.
• Support state and federal policy priorities through legislative research, policy analysis, and the development of briefing materials, talking points, and other advocacy resources.
• Coordinate legislative meetings, coalition activities, advocacy events, and stakeholder outreach with elected officials, agency partners, and community organizations.
• Develop advocacy communications for internal and external audiences, interpreting the impact of public policy changes on food security, data, and community stories into compelling messaging and digital content.
• Research GBFB’s policy priorities, including federal nutrition programs, local food purchasing, and policies addressing the root causes of food insecurity.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills & Qualifications 

• Bachelor of Arts (required) 
• Experience in public policy and advocacy (required) 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (required) 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail (required) 
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines (required) 
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, community members, coalition partners, and external stakeholders (required) 
• Comfort with public speaking, facilitation, or presenting—or a strong interest in developing these skills (required) 
• Commitment to advancing equitable access to nutritious food and addressing the root causes of hunger (required) 
• Experience with advocacy, organizing, government relations, community engagement, communications, or nonprofit work (preferred) 
• Experience conducting policy or legislative research (preferred) 
• Experience developing communications, presentations, or training materials (preferred) 
• Familiarity with Massachusetts state government and the legislative process (preferred) 
• Experience working with communities directly affected by food insecurity or other economic and social inequities (preferred) 
• Demonstrates the required digital competencies that result in the effective use of the full range of digital technologies at GBFB.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Ability to work in an office environment. 
• Ability to sit for up to 3 hours at a time.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds with or without assistance.
• Ability to use hands for simple grasping and fine manipulations. 
• Ability to travel based on business needs. 

Work Location

Hybrid: This role follows a hybrid schedule, working in accordance with GBFB’s hybrid work policy on the team’s designated days. This schedule is subject to change based on the organization’s mission to end hunger.