Program Manager, Emerging Technology, Scientific Advancement, and Global Policy

17-Jul-2024

Program Manager, Emerging Technology, Scientific Advancement, and Global Policy

Harvard Kennedy School

66286BR

Job Summary

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.

As the Belfer Center celebrates 50 years of impactful research and policy analysis at the nexus of science and international affairs, we are launching a major program on Emerging Technology, Scientific Advancement, and Global Policy . Artificial intelligence, microchips and supply chains, cybersecurity, online privacy, synthetic biology, energy technologies—the list of technological issues with clear geopolitical implications is vast. Indeed, technologies with new characteristics are emerging in many fields and quickly becoming tools of national security and domains of both cooperation and competition in foreign policy.  The program will aim to offer critical contributions to policy debates that seek to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of technological change; it will also devote time and resources to training young leaders who will need to grapple with these issues in their careers. It will assemble experts from diverse backgrounds – academic, practitioner, public sector, and private sector – to consider a full range of questions related to technological advances and national security

Position Description

The Program Manager will work under the supervision of the Program Director in all tasks. The Program Manager will organize and execute core research activities and events, conduct research, manage the financial administration of the program, and collaborate with the Belfer Center communications team. We are seeking a candidate who can integrate seamlessly with the Belfer Center community and collaborate with colleagues across HKS, the University, governments, and the private sector. The Program Manager will coordinate with a variety of stakeholders including students, university administrators, faculty, donors and prominent individuals and organizations. This role requires maturity, tact, and diplomacy in all interactions; good judgement is essential to this role.
 

Responsibilities for this position will be a blend of substantive and administrative; they will include (and are not limited to):

• Organization and execution of core research activities and events; these will include but are not limited to: 
• A Tech Policy Exchange to address the need for leaders conversant in both technology and public policy. 
• Regular convenings to produce substantial reports with analysis and recommendations, or to further gain insights on current developments, challenges, and opportunities in technological fields with clear geopolitical implications.
• Student engagement, including supporting student interest groups or programming ideas consistent with the Program’s substantive priorities; working with the Program Director to manage student RAs; and managing office hours requests for the Program Director or Program Fellows.
• Research
  • Under the guidance of the Director, conduct research on specific topics and produce briefings for events and speakers, analytic memos, draft talking points and questions, and other outputs.
     
  • Contribute to written research products including reports and articles
     
  • Suggest potential speakers and fellows
• Management of Fellowships and Grant 
  Awards
• Administer the Technology and Geopolitics fellowship program, including managing the process for recruiting, selecting, and onboarding research fellows. 
• Participate in the selection process and help implement interdisciplinary research grantsintended to fuel innovative research by wide-ranging teams across Harvard on issues at the intersection of technological advances and international affairs. 
• Communications
  • Draft and execute effective communications about Program events and announcements on the Belfer Center’s website, email campaigns, social media, posters, and targeted internal communications.
     
  • Work closely with the Center’s Communications team to disseminate the program’s outputs 
     
  • Maintain contact databases (email listservs, invitation lists, lists of students, and lists of relevant outside contacts).
     
• Financial Administration 
  • Monitor budget (s) including grants, maintain financial documentation, process speaker reimbursements and payment for internal and external partners.
     
  • Manage administrative requirements to engage vendors or sub-contractors to support events, publications, or other program activities. 
     
  • Prepare funding/grant proposals, ensuring that all sponsor guidelines are met and compliance requirements are followed; monitor grants and draft reports to comply with reporting requirements for sponsored research grants and awards
• Other
  • Coordinate with the rest of the Belfer Center; and
  • Other duties as required.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5 or more years of professional experience contributing to a project or program in a research or non-profit environment, including but not limited to: agenda setting; fundraising; and conceptualizing, organizing, and convening conferences, workshops, or other events.
• Demonstrated experience with/knowledge of technology issues, public policy, and international affairs

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Master’s degree preferred.
• 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 working in the tech sector or policy roles related to technology in the United States or internationally. 
• 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.
• A team leader and player who is highly motivated, proactive, and possesses strong organization skills.
• Prior experience working with high-profile individuals and organizations is a plus.
• Experience with MS Excel, Salesforce, Marketing Cloud, Buy 2 Pay, Concur is also a plus.

Additional Information

This position is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment ending two years from date of hire, with strong possibility of renewal/extension.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a written assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interviews with the Belfer Center Program Manager and Director.

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 three 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: $69,404 - $113,558
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.
 

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) 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.

Job Function

General Administration

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

405013 Administrator (N)

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

------------

Salary Grade

056

Department

Belfer Center

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Time Status

Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening

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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.

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