Staff Assistant III (Program and Research Assistant) at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Harvard University


Position Title: Staff Assistant III (Program and Research Assistant)

Req ID: 67358BR

School or Unit: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Description: Job Summary

The Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health seeks to hire a full-time Program and Research Assistant to conduct research and provide administrative support to a team with large research operations in Asia. The Program and Research Assistant will work independently performing research analyses and under the supervision of Professor Winnie Yip in the areas of health care systems and eldercare systems, with some focus on China and India.

The Program and Research Assistant Assistant will also provide administrative support to Professor Winnie Yip. General responsibilities include scheduling meetings, coordinating international events (virtual and in-person), arranging international travel, submitting reimbursements requests, formatting reports and presentations, maintaining academic citations, maintaining project websites as needed, for example, the Harvard China Health Partnership (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/china-health-partnership/).

Position Description

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conducting literature review and synthesis on eldercare policies and systems
• Conducting literature review and synthesis on the financing and organization of health care systems among advanced economies and lower- and middle-income countries
• Conducting simple data analyses
• Scheduling - Manage complex schedules for meetings, webinars, and other events that we host or are invited to participate in. Synchronize schedule options for multiple team members in different time zones, confirm timing and attendees, and arrange for use of Zoom, Teams, and/or in-person meeting facilities. Send meeting reminders and reschedule events or meetings as needed
• Prepare event logistics - Assist in compiling and coordinating event materials, such as biographies, pictures, consent forms, video recordings, and presentations. Confirm and arrange all logistics needed for smooth participation including links to Zoom or Teams. Format and edit documents. Format or edit complex project reports and presentations ensuring correct appearance and accuracy of graphics and tables
• Proactively maintain dissemination of project results and findings on social media. Maintain a tracking list of publications and proactively reach out to team leadership for updates about publications in process
• Travel Coordination - Using Harvard systems, arrange travel for selected team members, including preparing travel itineraries, making reservations, and informing team members of changes. Identify and assess travel options for cost, convenience, and team member preference. Facilitate applications for travel visas for selected team members
• Expense reports - Using Harvard systems, prepare and submit expense reports for selected team members in a timely and accurate manner, including flagging any outstanding out of pocket or corporate card expenses
• Maintain website content - Assist team leadership in maintaining content on two project websites using WordPress. In coordination with team leadership, revise content or identify new content to post as related to project activities, research findings, publications, and events. Procure office supplies, books, and articles as needed by team leadership. Process invoices and payment requests
• Tracking - Keep track of unanswered correspondence, meeting requests, and academic forms for prioritization and action by faculty director
• Greet visitors - Receive visitors. Answer routine inquiries from visitors, students, and team members with tact and discretion
• Other - Contribute to team goals by accomplishing related duties as assigned

PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term appointment of one year after the date of hire with the possibility of extension.

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant experience is required; a combination of education and experience may be considered

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:

• College degree strongly preferred, or an equivalent of education plus relevant business experience
• Experience and training in data analysis
• Experience in research assistant positions
• Good editing skills highly valued
• Experience formatting documents and presentations using computer software including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Experience maintaining calendar with Outlook
• Experience maintaining digital library with Zotero or similar
• Experience maintaining website content with WordPress or similar
• Stellar written communication skills, with tact and diplomacy even in light of uncertainty or changes
• Experience working in an academic environment
• Works well independently with minimal supervision
• Anticipates and resolves problems and update supervisors on status of one's projects

The following cultural competencies are also preferred:

• Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments
• Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity

Additional Information

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!

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• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
• This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. The O&R period will be waived for any internal Harvard employee transfers.

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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.

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.

LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only)

#LI-JW1

Department Office Location: USA - MA - Boston

Job Code: 403033 Staff Assistant III

Job Function: General Administration, Research

Work Format: Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub Unit: ------------

Salary Grade: 053

Department: Health Systems Group


Union: 55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Time Status: Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity


Commitment to Equity Diversity Inclusion and Belonging: At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, we believe that diversity is integral to the Harvard experience and our mission of improving public health education, research and policy. Diversity of cultural backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world enriches our community and enables us to best meet the public health needs of the United States and the world. Ongoing learning and development related to diversity allows for both individual and institutional growth, and is necessary to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for learning, living, and working at the Harvard Chan School. We maintain an unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as core to our institutional values and to actively counter, minimize, and address racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, gender bias, and all forms of discrimination.

Learn more about the School's mission, objectives, and core values, our Principles of Citizenship, and our diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.

EOE 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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