CEGA is a hub for research on global development, headquartered at the University of California, Berkeley. CEGA’s large, interdisciplinary network—including a growing number of scholars from low and middle-income countries (LMICs)—identifies and tests innovations designed to reduce poverty and promote development. CEGA researchers use rigorous evaluations, tools from data science, and new measurement technologies to assess the impacts of large-scale social and economic development programs. Through careful matchmaking, competitive grant-making, and integrated research dissemination and policy engagement activities, CEGA ensures that the scientific evidence we produce improves the lives of people living in poverty.
CEGA is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion—please read our values statement here: https://cega.berkeley.edu/values/
The role
Reporting to the Associate Director for Global Networks and Inclusion, the Program Associate will support a wide range of activities related to CEGA’s Global Networks portfolio, as well as efforts to drive inclusion across the Center and the global development research community more broadly.
Key roles and responsibilities
The Associate will work closely with the Project Manager for Global Networks, as well as other teams at CEGA as appropriate. The Associate will also frequently work with our growing network of scholars in East and West Africa. This is a challenging opportunity for a professional interested in academic administration, global poverty and inclusion; has a strong desire to use and deepen skills in project management, communications, and research assistance; and is energized to contribute to the long-term success of a dynamic organization.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Fellowship support: Coordinate residential and non-residential fellowships for African scholars at UC Berkeley—including logistics (booking travel and accommodations, arranging visas), program administration (coordinating seminars, meetings and campus visits) and communications (liaising with fellows and CEGA mentors, updating program website, uploading fellow bios, managing opportunities email list).
- Research grant competition support: Circulate requests for proposals (RFPs) from teams of LMIC scholars and CEGA affiliates, coordinate peer review, issue award letters, process disbursements, liaise with research teams (including past award recipients), and monitor projects.
- Research portfolio administration: Work with funded research teams to ensure that GN projects carried out in LMICs are implemented effectively and efficiently. Includes working with CEGA’s Operations team to set up subaward contracts, monitoring progress, coordinating payments/invoicing, working with teams to extend or amend contracts as needed, and tracking disbursements.
- Event coordination and support: Provide logistical support for program-related conferences, trainings, seminars, and workshops (including a major annual GN conference in Africa), working with the CEGA Events Associate and in-country partners as needed. May include developing event content, recruiting and liaising with speakers and participants, scoping venues, organizing catering, booking travel, and coordinating day-of logistics.
- Communication & dissemination: Support the dissemination of GN research, including drafting content for the CEGA website, blog, and social media to showcase findings and “Impact Stories.”
- Monitoring & evaluation: Support program monitoring and evaluation, including development of program outcomes indicators, collecting and managing data, and internal and external reporting.
- Center development: Participate in CEGA-wide activities, including internal working groups, performance management processes, and ongoing process documentation.
- Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion: Work with the Associate Director of GN and Inclusion to promote JEDI in all major CEGA activities and increase participation of LMIC scholars in each of our funded research portfolios.
Experience and skills
Required Qualifications
- BA in Development Studies, Economics, Global Health, Public Policy, Political Science, International Affairs or related discipline.
- 1-3 years experience working for a non-profit or academic research institution, experience with project implementation and monitoring & evaluation.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Commitment to scientific, evidence-led international development policy and capacity building in low-income countries.
Desired Qualifications
- Sector specific interest in and knowledge of social science research on global poverty and inequality, specifically the Agriculture, Financial Inclusion and/or technology sectors
- Experience with grants management, financial tracking, event planning.
- Self-directed and intrinsically motivated, with strong skills in short-term planning, analysis, problem-anticipation and -solving, and customer service; ability to independently investigate solutions to challenges and anticipate leadership needs. Proven ability to simultaneously work on several projects and manage tight deadlines.
- Strong problem-solving, organizational, and administrative skills; detail oriented.
- Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work diplomatically with diverse constituencies.
- Experience living and working in an LMIC.
- Competency with MS Office, Excel, Google applications, MailChimp, Weebly, Salesforce, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite (including Adobe InDesign and PhotoShop)
Other useful information
All applications must be submitted through the UC Berkeley jobs website. To apply, visit careers.berkeley.edu and search for Job Opening: #24181. Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single attachment when applying. Your cover letter should outline (1) qualifications for the responsibilities listed above, (2) specific interest in the position, and (3) the names, position, and contact information of at least three academic and/or professional references and a one-sentence description of your relationship to them. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please note CEGA will only be able to 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.
The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
This is a one-year, full time contract position with possibility of renewal depending on performance and available funding. Salary is commensurate with experience. For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html