Special Projects Coordinator and Research Assistant Harvard University Kennedy School

Job Summary

The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs has an immediate opening for a Special Projects Coordinator and Research Assistant to support research efforts, special projects, and other tasks being led by the Belfer Center Director or in support of broader Center initiatives. This position will contribute to research, programming, and administrative support in a wide variety of areas, including new and potential Belfer Center initiatives, Professor O?Sullivan?s engagements, and research and fellowship programs that she oversees along with other involved faculty. Professor O?Sullivan?s current research areas include various projects exploring the future of the international order and the Geopolitics of Energy project. This role will report to the Senior Advisor and Director of Special Initiatives and spend a significant portion of their time working closely with the Associate Director, The Evolving International Order, to support specific research initiatives.

The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs is the hub of Harvard Kennedy School's research, teaching, and training in international security and diplomacy, environmental and resource issues, and science and technology policy. The Belfer Center was named a ?Center of Excellence? by the University of Pennsylvania?s Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program in 2021 ? the last year of its ranking program ? in recognition of the Center?s six consecutive years as the world?s #1 university-affiliated think tank.

The Center has a dual mission: (1) to provide leadership in advancing policy-relevant knowledge about the most important challenges of international security and other critical issues where science, technology, environmental policy, and international affairs intersect; and (2) to prepare future generations of leaders for these arenas.

Under the leadership of Belfer Center Director and Jeane Kirkpatrick Professor of the Practice of International Affairs Meghan O?Sullivan, the Center is investing in longstanding research efforts and developing new programs and initiatives under the framework of the Belfer Overlap. This concept situates the Center?s interdisciplinary work at the intersection of three key drivers shaping our future: technology and geopolitics, the energy transition, and a changing global order.

Position Description

Event Coordination:

• Plan and execute programming related to the Director?s research areas and special projects, including seminars, conferences, workshops, panel discussions, and receptions. Work with internal and external stakeholders to carry out this programming.
• Coordinate logistical aspects of programming, such as venue selection, catering, multimedia setup, registration management, stakeholder outreach, speaker travel and accommodations, and technical support to presenters and participants.
• Provide on-site support during programming, ensuring smooth operations, troubleshooting technical issues, and addressing participant inquiries.
• Coordinate closely with the Belfer Center Operations team and liaise with Campus Planning and Operations and Harvard University Dining on setup for all assigned events.
• Coordinate event branding and collateral including printed materials, marketing emails and posters, and multimedia staff or vendors.

Research Support

• Conduct research to support multiple workstreams led by the Belfer Center Director and other involved faculty, specifically including a new research area focused on shaping the emerging global order.
• Assist with other Director- or Executive Director-related research needs, including landscape and comparison analysis, research on invitations and opportunities, and other tasks to support ongoing or potential new initiatives.
• Conduct background research to support read-ahead materials and briefings for the Director related to events and speakers; this could include analytic memos, talking points and questions, and other outputs.
• Work with the Director?s Executive Assistant and Faculty Assistant to maintain websites for the Director?s research projects, including adding Director?s and affiliates? publications and keeping program pages and content up-to-date.

Administrative Support

• Conduct copy-editing and formatting of publications and develop basic presentations. Assist with logistics of Director?s appearances at Belfer Center events.
• Assist in managing electronic records and finances, which may include organizing paper and electronic files related to the Director?s work, maintaining trackers for Director and Center activity, and helping as needed with expenses and budgets
• Provide vetting and administrative support for donor outreach and stewardship activities conducted by the Director and Center leadership team.
• Assist with the selection and onboarding process for a subset of Belfer Center fellows involved in research and programming overseen by the director, and support program fellows? activities, including by arranging travel and other logistics; currently this includes fellows associated with the Geopolitics of Energy Project.
• Other related job duties, as required.

Basic Qualifications

Minimum of 2 years of work experience in program administration, event planning, operations, or academic administration.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Degree in a relevant field (e.g., public policy, international affairs, technology issues, etc.) not required, but a plus.

• A demonstrated interest in or experience with foreign policy issues and international affairs

• Ability to prioritize to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced, high-energy, and constantly changing environment.

• Proven ability to multitask while maintaining excellent attention to detail.

• Exceptional writing skills; basic quantitative proficiency; and a demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision under tight deadlines.

• Highly adaptable with proven track record of successfully functioning in a complex work environment.

• Experience with MS Excel, Salesforce, Marketing Cloud, Buy 2 Pay, Concur is also a plus.

Additional Information

This position is a fully benefits eligible two-year term appointment with the possibility of renewal.

Learn more about our work culture and see yourself at Harvard Kennedy School.

We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide visa sponsorship.
Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background checks.
Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.

This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. As a campus-based institution, we place a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The position is required to work in-person on campus a minimum of four days per week during the academic year. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager. The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Salary Range : $65,563 - $104,471
Note: Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website ( ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard Kennedy School?s Mission and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism

At Harvard Kennedy School, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels they belong is a matter of basic fairness consistent with our core values as an institution. It is also essential to our mission of improving public policy and leadership?because recruiting the best people and creating an environment where they can thrive make us better at what we do, because we learn more from people with different perspectives, and because we work in diverse groups and serve diverse societies. Learn more about Harvard Kennedy School?s commitment to Diversity Equity, and Anti-Racism.

EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.