Research Manager

CEGA seeks a talented Research Manager (RM) to support faculty affiliate Frederico Finan as well as the Center’s growing portfolio of research on political economy, governance, conflict, security, and related topics.

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.

CEGA values diversity and seeks to include people from under-represented groups on our team. Read our values statement.

Position Overview

CEGA seeks a talented Research Manager (RM) to support faculty affiliate Frederico Finan as well as the Center’s growing portfolio of research on political economy, governance, conflict, security, and related topics. The RM will support Finan by overseeing the administrative components (and some technical components) of research projects, as well as financial management of Finan’s campus and grant funding, partnership development, and fundraising for new research projects. They will additionally support CEGA by helping to build a robust portfolio of research on political economy, governance and related themes, aligned in large part with Finan’s work. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and organized self-starter eager to contribute to the success of a dynamic research organization, while expanding their networks and positioning themselves for future career growth. The role will report to Finan, with additional oversight from CEGA’s Executive Director. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Faculty Research Project Management (40%)

• Provide oversight to research teams (specifically field office staff) to ensure sound implementation and operational management of projects
• May directly supervise permanent research staff and graduate/undergraduate student researchers working on research projects, with an eye on their professional growth. Liaise with CEGA’s HR Associate to manage the recruitment and appointment of student researchers and other personnel on relevant projects
• Organize and and develop agendas for periodic research team meetings and progress updates
• Keep Principal Investigators apprised of all project developments, and serve as a key link between field staff, Investigators, partners, and the broader research team
• Provide pre/post award support including developing budgets, managing funding, reporting and renewals, smooth navigation of UC Berkeley systems (contracts, payments), and facilitation of project fundraising (e.g. proposal development and submission)
• Develop partnership agreements/MOUs for project teams and manage relationships with high-level partners and UC Berkeley/CEGA
• Manage protocol submissions to Institutional Review Board
• Oversee synthesis, publication, and dissemination of research findings for academic and policy audiences, for example by co-authoring journal publications, writing policy briefs and blogs, and cultivating research and policy partnerships

General Faculty Support (35%)

• Draft content for concept notes, proposals, etc. to expand existing and to build new faculty-led research projects
• Liaise with CEGA communications staff to facilitate the drafting (or curating) of content for public consumption
• Contribute to building systems that facilitate good research practices, including data security and confidentiality, registering trials, and making data sets public
• Oversee the management of all of Finan’s funds including budget creation, financial forecasting and analyses, reporting to PIs, liaising with counterparts at CEGA and in the Economics department, and decision making
• Support other administrative operations as assigned including managing calendars, hiring students, processing reimbursements, etc.

Support to CEGA (25%)

• Collaborate with CEGA leadership, research staff, partners, and donors in the technical exploration and development of new “anchor studies” related to political economy, governance, conflict, security, and related themes
• Conduct background research on relevant partners, donors, and faculty affiliates/fellows
• Proactively track relevant funding opportunities  and draft concept notes, proposals, etc. when there are clear synergies
• Coordinate meetings and events related to new CEGA initiatives (in collaboration with relevant CEGA teams and Events Associate)
• Build and maintain partnerships with academics, policymakers, and funders working on relevant topics. Track outreach to (and engagement with) key stakeholders and partners in Salesforce
• Organize, prepare for, and/or participate in high-profile meetings and events with external partners/funders by conducting background research, drafting talking points and slide decks, ghost writing emails and other correspondence, leading substantive conversations, taking notes, and managing follow up
• Support research projects on related topics and provide end-to-end management of new research portfolio(s) once funding is secured
• Actively participate in center-wide activities, including process documentation, performance management, internal working groups, maintenance of the CEGA wiki, and others

Required Qualifications

• Coursework in quantitative research methods, including mathematical statistics, econometrics, and microeconomics;
• Familiarity with rigorous impact evaluation research methods;
• Strong skills in short-term planning and problem-solving;
• Strong ability to research, analyze, and synthesize large amounts of data for preparing high-quality proposals and reports;
• Strong interpersonal skills in working with colleagues at all levels;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;

Preferred Qualifications

• MA/MS in Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, Policy Analysis, Business, International Relations, Public Health or related field;
• Capacity to manage work independently, multitask and be responsive to tight deadlines;
• Self-directed and intrinsically motivated;
• Subject matter expertise in political economy, governance, conflict, security or related topics;
• Experience with grants management, financial oversight, budgeting, and pre/post award processes;
• Ability to independently investigate solutions to administrative challenges and anticipate leadership needs;
• Excellent proficiency in Microsoft and Google suites, and desire and ability to learn new systems quickly;
• Experience with databases and data management;
• Experience working in low and middle-income countries (preferably in a research-related capacity);
• Experience working in a university setting and knowledge of campus systems;
• Positive attitude in approaching challenges and uncertainty.

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 salary range for this position is $71,663 -$85,995

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 UC Berkeley jobs website. Please visit http://jobs.berkeley.edu and search for Job ID# 59317. Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single attachment when applying. In addition to a current CV, candidates should submit a cover letter outlining (1) qualifications for the responsibilities listed above, (2) specific interest in the position, and (3) three academic and/or professional references. 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.