Background
The Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) is a hub for research, training, and innovation headquartered at the University of California, Berkeley. CEGA generates insights that leaders can use to improve policies, programs, and people’s lives. Our academic network includes more than 170 faculty, 65 scholars from low- and middle-income countries, and hundreds of graduate students–from across academic disciplines and across the globe–that produce rigorous evidence about what works to expand education, health, and economic opportunities for people living in poverty. Our mission is to improve the lives of people living in poverty by generating insights and tools for decision-makers backed by rigorous, inclusive, and transparent research.
Seeking outstanding applicants for the position of Assistant Specialist for the Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA). The position entails work on two ongoing studies, as part of a larger CEGA research agenda, in collaboration with Edward Miguel, Oxfam Professor for Environmental and Resource Economics at UC Berkeley, and Michael Walker, Staff Scientist. The primary goal of this agenda is to assess the longer-term impact of interventions for poverty alleviation, and to use data collected as part of these studies in creative ways to further scientific knowledge. The first study, the Kenya Life Panel Survey (KLPS), involves studying the long-term effects of a primary school deworming program launched in 1998. The second study, General Equilibrium Effects of Cash Transfers (GE), explores the long-term effects of an NGO unconditional cash transfer program in western Kenya established in 2014. Both studies seek to publish credible, rigorous research findings in leading academic journals, and create actionable evidence for policymakers.
CEGA values diversity and seeks to include people from under-represented groups on our team. Read our values statement.
Position Overview
The Assistant Specialist position will work closely with faculty and contribute to statistical analyses on the research project. They will collaborate with Professor Miguel and Dr. Walker, along with other collaborators on the two studies, across several activities, including the analysis and management of data collection. Both projects have collected existing data that is undergoing analysis, and plan to launch additional data collection activities in 2024. The position will work to support the development and testing of survey instruments and data quality checks, the development of statistical models and analyses using Stata, R and other software packages, and will support the publishing of the resulting findings and research materials. They will also develop strong relationships with partner researchers and organizations providing research support and data collection services. Other key responsibilities include: supporting data-centric components (including analysis, review and technical assistance) for collaborative research projects and case studies; providing research assistance to research papers using empirical approaches; contributing to technical grant proposals, progress reports for current funding sources, strategic planning and partnership development with relevant stakeholders, including data collection and research firms in Kenya and students at UC Berkeley, and other administrative tasks related to the projects, CEGA and the PIs. The Assistant Specialist may also support additional research and policy efforts relevant to the goals of the PIs and CEGA.
Qualifications
Basic qualifications required at time of application
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent international degree or enrolled in a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent international degree program.
Preferred (but not required) qualifications:
- 1-2 years experience conducting empirical research including contributing to data collection and cleaning activities;
- 1-2 years experience and competency with statistical software packages such as STATA, R, and ability to render accurate statistical analysis;
- Ability to read and analyze published papers in economics, and accurately understand their main results;
- Ability to independently investigate solutions to technical and administrative problems;
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific findings into accessible, non-technical language (via publications or professional presentations);
- Ability to work well with multi-national teams, and communicate effectively with colleagues and faculty.
- Strong interest in development economics, causal inference in applied microeconometrics, research design and/or program evaluation;
Position Duration
One position is a full-time 12-month position with possibility for extension pending funding. To apply, include your most recently updated Curriculum Vitae (required) and a cover letter (required).
Professional Development
CEGA invests in your professional development. In this role, you will learn, engage, and grow.
- Learn: CEGA supports a culture of learning, with opportunities to attend weekly UC Berkeley Development Seminars, join internal managers meetings, and take classes for credit at UC Berkeley (Extension) with our generous tuition assistance program.
- Engage: You will interact directly with CEGA senior leadership and staff across the center as well as high-profile external funding, implementing, and policy partners.
- Grow: You can expect to join a peer group eager to build institutional knowledge and pass on lessons learned.
Salary and Benefits
The posted UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay at appointment. See the following table for the salary scale for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2023-24/july-2023-acad-salary-scales/t24-b.pdf
The current minimum salary range for this position is $59,200–$65,900.
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit:
http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html
To Apply:
All applications must be submitted through the AP Recruit website. Please visit https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/ and search for Job ID# JPF04227. Please submit your most recently updated CV, cover letter, statement of research, and a statement on Contributions to Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Please note CEGA will only hire individuals who are eligible to work in the US, either through an Optional Practical Training (OPT) visa or as a result of being US citizen or permanent resident.
