The Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) is a research, training and innovation hub at the University of California, Berkeley. We generate insights that leaders can use to improve policies, programs, and people’s lives. Our academic network includes more than 150 faculty, 65 scholars from low- and middle-income countries, and hundreds of graduate students–from across academic disciplines and the globe–to produce rigorous evidence about what works to expand education, health, and economic opportunities for people living in poverty. For more information, visit our website.
The role
Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Associate takes responsibility for developing and implementing CEGA’s people and culture function to facilitate recruitment and retention of staff, graduate student researchers, and interns; boost staff morale; and help cultivate a welcoming, fair, and open workplace environment. We think this role might be a great fit for someone interested in gaining a big-picture view of the operations work required to run an effective organization.
The role will work closely with campus People and Culture to carry out important HR-related activities and ensure CEGA’s adherence to campus policies and processes. Additionally, the Associate will develop internal process improvements, guidelines and information resources; support organizational learning; and promote staff productivity while reinforcing commitments to effective feedback and performance management practices, professional development, and DEI. The Associate will also lead general office management activities including coordinating space use, ergonomics, IT, software, equipment, and supplies inventory.
This position is a key contributor to a centralized Operations team at CEGA, which supports a series of integrated activities that strengthen center management practices and boost overall organizational productivity — including talent management and resource/systems administration, to financial management, sustainability, and strategic planning. Note on location: This position requires regular presence in the CEGA offices at UC Berkeley, with some flexibility to work remotely a few days per week.
Key roles and responsibilities
People and Culture (60%)
- The Associate serves as the Center’s internal coordinator and advocate for human resources. Serve as primary liaison to Berkeley People and Culture (HR) as well as CEGA hiring managers, ensuring timely, effective, high-quality service.
- Coordinate CEGA human resources activities, which are ongoing throughout the year, including appointments, training, classification, and ensuring the completion of forms and documents related to HR and Payroll.
- Support staff recruitment, onboarding/offboarding activities, reappointments, and performance reviews, and advise colleagues on best practices.
- Develop systems/tools to improve processes and outcomes, including gathering, analyzing, and preparing reports and monitoring / tracking relevant data to ensure that CEGA is recruiting for excellence/diversity and living our values.
- Coordinate periodic performance reviews and introduce process improvements.
- Serve as HR liaison for Visiting Scholars, graduate student researchers, student interns, and center-wide internship programs, and manage recruitment and payments.
- Design new processes and provide support to ensure a healthy workplace culture, including planning and implementing safety improvements, promotion of diversity, ergonomic assessments, and other activities that strengthen CEGA’s people and culture function.
- Research and share staff development opportunities, including trainings, workshops, and tools to support professional development and advance our organizational values.
- Support staff engagement and team building (e.g. roundtables where staff share updates on their work, team lunches and happy hours, Center-wide retreats, other activities).
Operations and Office Management (40%)
- The Associate is CEGA’s office manager and contributes to overall center operations through implementation of long/short-term space planning, IT and equipment coordination, budgeting, and procurement.
- Implement and oversee center-wide supply/equipment procurement and maintenance, including development of guidance and process improvements for purchasing by other staff.
- Lead centre-wide scheduling and calendar management (e.g. weekly staff meetings, team meetings, conference room bookings, interviews, etc.).
- Liaise with campus IT and ergonomic services to ensure that all staff have secure, operational, modern equipment.
- Evaluate space use and propose short/long-term space use strategies and improvements, including activities and investments to promote workplace safety and productivity.
- Actively contribute to CEGA-wide activities, including internal working groups, and process documentation, among others.
Experience and skills
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent years experience and/or training.
Preferred Qualifications Responsibility and Trust
- This position requires a highly motivated and self-directed individual who is capable of dealing with confidential information and high-profile organizations with diplomacy, proactivity, and integrity.
- Time Management: Strong ability to anticipate, plan, prioritize, and meet deadlines; ability to efficiently multitask, organize, and manage a high volume of work.
- Attention to detail and ability to manage numerous requests from a variety of parties.
- Ability to think strategically about CEGA’s People and Culture needs.
- Strong skills in short-term planning, analysis, problem-anticipation and -solving, and customer service and ability to independently investigate solutions to administrative challenges and anticipate leadership needs are highly preferred.
Communication
- Experience communicating with staff and others at all levels of an organization in a friendly, professional, and culturally sensitive manner and working with a variety of personalities and work styles is strongly preferred.
- Must be able to maintain confidentiality and act as a resource on various matters.
- Must be approachable, have a can-do attitude, and be comfortable leading small and large groups and presenting to diverse stakeholders.
- Proactive communication skills and ability to periodically follow up is essential.
- Education and Experience
- At least 3 years of relevant work experience in a human resources role is strongly preferred.
- Experience leading teams is a plus, along with experience collaborating with senior management on strategic, organization wide aspects of HR.
- Experience with recruitment, staff morale, and retention policies is also highly preferred.
- While experience in higher education or a research center would be valuable, experience working in a consulting or non-profit think tank would also provide highly relevant experience.