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Why join the Harvard Kennedy School?

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

The Center for International Development (CID) is Harvard University’s hub for cutting-edge research on the world’s most pressing international development issues. Based at Harvard Kennedy School, CID brings researchers and practitioners together across the university to collaborate, using the latest analytical tools to address pressing development challenges. CID organizes global talent worldwide by investing in people, places, and ideas to build a thriving world for all.          

Job Summary: 

The Research Manager will manage and contribute to the design and implementation of a portfolio of education-focused research initiatives under the direction of Professor Asim Ijaz Khwaja and the Associate Director of Research. Working across multiple projects at various stages of development, the role will contribute to the analytical and operational components of CID’s research, helping to translate faculty priorities into high-quality, policy-relevant outputs.

This position is designed as a hybrid role that combines rigorous data analysis with research management and project management responsibilities. The Research Manager will contribute directly to empirical research through data analysis, background research, and written outputs, while also managing the execution of projects through grant development, stakeholder coordination, and research administration processes. The role requires someone who can move fluidly between technical analytical work and project management, is comfortable working across multiple workstreams simultaneously, and can exercise good judgement and independent decision-making across these multiple functions.

Working closely with faculty, research staff, and external partners, the Research Manager will help ensure the successful delivery of research activities, support the development of new initiatives, and contribute to the dissemination of findings to academic and policy audiences. This position is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and may require international travel as needed.

In addition to a strong research background, the successful candidate will have:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear and effective materials for a range of audiences, e.g.,drafting and editing policy-relevant outputs, including policy briefs, reports, presentations, or grant materials.
• Experience working with international partners, including governments, NGOs, or research institutions in low- and middle-income countries.
• Experience with grant development, budget coordination, and international project administration.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Research Analysis and Technical Contribution

• Clean, manage, document, and analyze large and complex datasets to support ongoing research projects, using Stata and AI-assisted coding tools (such as Claude Code).
• Develop and implement analytical approaches for empirical research projects, including designing survey instruments, responding to data requests, producing tables and data visualizations, and selecting research methodologies under the guidance of faculty and senior research staff.
• Independently identify and propose analytical approaches, robustness checks, and data needs to strengthen research design and the development of rigorous, policy-relevant insights.
• Conduct background research and literature reviews to inform research design and policy-relevant and academic outputs.
• Draft analytical content for reports, policy briefs, research papers, and other academic outputs.
• Oversee aspects of data collection and fieldwork activities, including coordination with partners, monitoring data quality, identifying implementation challenges, and recommending solutions to ensure research integrity and timely execution.

Research Management, Grants, and Project Coordination

• Manage day-to-day implementation of multiple research projects, including establishing timelines and priorities, managing deliverables, and coordinating across collaborators and stakeholders, exercising judgement to ensure effective execution of research activities with oversight from the Associate Director of Research.
• Develop initial drafts of grant proposals, including drafting proposal materials, compiling supporting documents, and coordinating inputs across teams.
• Manage post-award grant activities, including tracking deliverables, reporting requirements, and coordination with finance and research administration teams.
• Lead the development of IRB protocols and research compliance processes, including preparation, submission, and amendments in coordination with faculty and university offices.
• Lead research administration processes, including requesting and managing data use agreements, contracts, and other project-related documentation.
• Provide recommendations to faculty and project leadership regarding research operations, stakeholder engagement strategies, implementation planning, and project prioritization.

Stakeholder Coordination, Dissemination, and Strategic Support

• Manage relationships and engagement with external partners, including governments, NGOs, donors, and research collaborators, ensuring clear communication and timely delivery of project outputs.
• Write and edit policy briefs, donor reports, presentations, and other materials to enable dissemination of research to non-academic audiences.
• Lead the preparation and execution of convenings, workshops, and stakeholder meetings, including development of materials and post-event summaries.
• Develop analytical inputs and scoping analyses to inform new research initiatives, including synthesizing relevant evidence, and identifying potential data sources collaborators, and strategic opportunities in close collaboration with the Associate Director of Research.

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in public policy, international development, economics, public administration, or a related field with significant coursework in quantitative and empirical methods (e.g., econometrics, statistics).
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in research, data analysis, or a related field (e.g., research assistant or associate roles).
• Demonstrated experience working with large datasets and conducting quantitative analysis using Stata or similar statistical software.
• Must be willing to travel internationally as needed.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Familiarity with empirical research methods, including randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental approaches. 
• Experience supporting or managing research projects, including knowledge of research administration processes such as IRB and grant management.
• Previous experience in a quantitative research environment preferred.
• Proficiency in additional programming languages or tools (e.g., Python, R, SQL) and experience working with large or complex datasets.
• Familiarity with AI tools and workflows (e.g., LLMs, AI-assisted coding tools) and ability to apply them effectively in research and analytical tasks.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders across institutional and geographic contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, with strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Fluency in other languages such as Arabic, Urdu, Spanish, or French is valued.

• Appointment End Date: one year from date of hire with the possibility of renewal
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information: This position is based on our campus in Cambridge, MA, and is not eligible for remote work.The minimum on-site requirement is 3 days/week.
  
  
  
   
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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

About Harvard University

Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

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