Sr. Research Project Manager

01-Nov-2024

Sr. Research Project Manager

Harvard Graduate School of Education

67306BR

Job Summary

HGSE Assistant Professor Vesall Nourani is seeking a proactive, organized, full-time Sr. Research Project Manager to grow a complex research portfolio across sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. The successful research manager will coordinate research activities together with Professor Nourani at a high level and will have significant autonomy to grow their workflow and agenda guided by a framework set by Professor Nourani.

Professor Nourani’s research aims to extend and scale educational approaches that empower communities to become agents of their own development. The “Learning to Learn” framework at the heart of his work envisions an educational process through which populations leverage the tools of science to carry out more careful observations, descriptions and analyses of their own communities with the aim of articulating a clearer path of development for themselves. He works with several partners who introduce this approach to education through schools, teacher professional development, agriculture education, and more. 

The successful Sr. Research Project Manager will help coordinate research activities together with Professor Nourani at a high level. The areas of work include, but are not limited to:

Meeting with research team members to coordinate research work, administrative work, staffing and hiring, fundraising, and supporting research logistics and grant management.

More broadly, the successful Sr. Research Project Manager will foster a spirit of cooperation, unity and dedication to rigorous empirical research among a growing global team. The projects that the Sr. Research Project Manager will support include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Towards a Culture of Learning through Teacher Professional Development in Uganda
• Studying community-level effects of the Learning to Learn intervention
• Analyzing long-term impacts of FUNDAEC’s program for rural secondary education.
• Developing an internship program for community-based research for students across sub-Saharan Africa

Details of the various projects will be shared with applicants who make it to the second stage of our process. The role will be based at the Harvard Graduate School of Education with significant travel to field sites to help coordinate the work of partners. While the holder of the position will have significant autonomy, it should be noted that the position is not a “research position” per se. It is best suited for an individual with experience supporting academic research projects who is now primarily interested in managing and executing an existing research program and research-practice partnerships.

Position Description

• Overseeing and coordinating all aspects of the research portfolio
• Leveraging digital technologies and project management tools to ensure the smooth flow of field operations by helping field teams coordinate and manage tasks.
• Staying apprised of field-based expense reporting and timely work towards deliverables.
• Managing and coordinating the work of colleagues supporting the analysis of data and manuscript preparation.
• Helping to recruit, train and manage senior field-based staff.
• Ensuring compliance with research protocols and ethical standards.
• Liaising with local partners and stakeholders, overseeing data collection and quality assurance processes.
• Helping to acquire letters of support, Memoranda of Understanding, and other documents that facilitate smooth field-based research operations.
• Managing budget, reporting, acquisition of administrative paperwork, and troubleshooting logistical or operational challenges.
• Drafting and submitting proposals and project reports to funders.
• Serving as the key point of contact between the research team and field-based stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.
• Managing the process of programming surveys or digitizing paper records (including anonymizing data and ensuring a sound ID-ing system to protect participant confidentiality while also tracing participants across the life-cycle of the project).
• Conducting and managing qualitative data collection activities.
• Using GitHub for version control and collaboration on data-related projects.
• Using project-management tools (such as Asana) to make sure all tasks are being executed in a timely fashion.
• Facilitating field visits to partner schools, coordinate and execute stakeholder meetings, and support policy dissemination.
• Ensuring fidelity of RCT implementation.
• Establishing relationships with local stakeholders in Uganda that can help provide access to administrative data.

This is a one year term position with possiblity of renewal based on funding and department needs.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics or a related field with a minimum of five years of related experience.
• Experience managing data sets
• Experience with statistical software programs such as R or Stata.
• Ability to travel both nationally and internationally is required

Any candidate wishing to be considered must supply a cover letter in addition to their resume. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Master’s degree in Economics or a related field with at least two years of experience working on research projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Experience developing surveys and other data collection instruments collected using tablets in the field.
• Experience raising capacity in team members to participate collectively in coding, data cleaning and analysis tasks.
• Experience coordinating the work of large teams.
• Knowledge of econometric methods
• Experience programming surveys (using some version of ODK) with tablet-based data collection apps.
• Experience with GitHub for version control and collaboration.
• Experience with RCTs
• Experience using AI resources to facilitate workflow and support with technical tasks
• Proficiency using Notion and other project management tools to organize the work of large teams
• Knowledge of Python and support for API integrations across project management or data management/collection apps.
• Proficiency in Spanish
• Proactive and organized - does not wait for orders to get things done.
• Fosters a learning culture within a team of colleagues
• Generous with their knowledge and desire to teach others.
• Ability to grasp and clearly communicate the vision of a research project to a large set of collaborators.
• Experience in facilitating group discussions among 10-20 individuals to advance a collective understanding of the tasks that enable project execution - as opposed to dictating tasks to others.

Working Conditions

The role is based in Cambridge, MA, with up to 33% travel to Uganda and Colombia.

HGSE is currently developing dynamic workplace models which will actively support a combination of on-campus and remote work (within a state in which Harvard is registered to do business) where business and operational needs allow. You and your manager will discuss the best schedule based on your role and operational need. If your role allows for remote work, please note that all remote work must be performed within a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (CA (Only Exempt), CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT, and WA). Please also note that Harvard will withhold each applicable state’s required tax and other withholdings from your paycheck for the time you work there.

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.

We regret that the Harvard Graduate School of Education does not provide Visa sponsorship.

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.

About Us

HGSE is a diverse community of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world through education and striving for maximum impact in the field of education. 

HGSE Human Resources values diversity in all forms and believes that each employee brings a set of diverse experiences and identities to the workplace that makes us stronger, encourages innovation, and enhances our collective contributions.  We continue to develop and support a workforce that reflects the diversity of those we serve; fosters an environment that allows everyone to belong and to bring their best self to work; and creates the conditions that empower employees to contribute their full potential to advancing the work of the school. 

We do this by: 

• Hiring and retaining staff reflecting the diversity of those we serve 
• Providing employees opportunities to learn, grow, and be challenged 
• Reviewing and ensuring fairness and equity in HR practices and policies including but not limited to hiring, promotion, and compensation 
• Developing strong relationships and partnerships internal and external to our community to advance diversity and inclusion 
• Communicating transparently and respectfully; and 
• Fostering an inclusive, respectful, and professional work environment 

About the Harvard Graduate School of Education 

Many choose to work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future. We have a reputation as a great place to work, for our excellent leadership, and we are a strong community that values diversity. For more information about HGSE, its programs, research, and faculty, please visit: www.gse.harvard.edu 

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

Research

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

RS0057 Researcher III Humanities

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

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

Salary Grade

057

Department

Research

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status

Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

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.