Faculty Assistant for Research, Curriculum Design, and Programming

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Kennedy School?

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

The Faculty Assistant will work directly with Professor Cornell William Brooks to make valued contributions in support of his teaching, speaking engagements, and social justice advocacy. The Faculty Assistant will play a key role in managing scheduling, communications, course development, and travel arrangements for Professor Brooks and his work with the William Monroe Trotter Collaborative for Social Justice. This position will support the work of leading activists, academics, and social justice advocates within Professor Brooks’ classes and national network. 

• Manage course delivery: get copyright clearances for course readings and post them on Canvas (online course website), track student work, liaise with guests, coordinate audiovisual support, organize in-class activities, manage office hours for faculty. 

• Communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders on behalf of Prof. Brooks, possibly assist with faculty recruitment or promotion processes. 

• Review, assess, route, answer and monitor follow up action steps on correspondence. Gather and analyze information required for administrative reporting. 

• Coordinate media requests and draft media responses for Prof. Brooks. 

• Manage complex calendars, arrange for individual meetings, appointments and travel arrangements.  

• Prepare expense reports using on-line financial systems (corporate & purchasing cards, Buy-to-Pay, Concur, etc.)

• for vendor payment and reimbursement. 

• Proofread documents, retrieve research resources, and submit materials for publishing and distribution on campus and globally. 

• Plan events: communicate with guests, reserve rooms, order catering, and manage all logistics. 

• Prepare meeting documentation, manage filing systems, and maintain office inventory. 

• Clerical support including data entry, compose and edit communication, edit reports, maintain and update syllabi, prepare lecture/course materials and slides, presentations, and cases.  Prepare copy for publication or submission of grant proposals and/or reports. 

• Research topics for classes, speeches, and engagements.  

• Coordinate the Spring Course student trips, support with Client identification and recruitment, make travel arrangements for students and coordinate with students to reimburse for expenses.  

• Collaborate with Faculty Assistants and on projects and departmental activities and Course Assistants on class activities. 

• Train, schedule, and distribute work to students or other temporary staff. 

• Move projects forward and continually look for ways to leverage faculty time. 

• Contribute to unit effort by accomplishing related duties as required

Basic Qualifications: 2 years’ experience in an office environment, including demonstrated office administration and customer service skills. Relevant internships will count toward experience.  

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's Degree preferred.

• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Suite and internet tools, with a willingness to learn new technologies. 

• Demonstrated experience prioritizing tasks to changing needs and seeing tasks to completion in a timely manner.   

• Strong interpersonal skills with experience providing complex administrative support to one or more supervisors.  

• High attention to detail and strong customer service. 

• Capacity to succeed in a fast-paced, action-oriented environment, working independently and contributing as a valuable team member. 

• Proven ability to financial transaction with accuracy.

• Interest in the field of social justice and civil rights.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity
• Other Information: This position is a fully benefits-eligible one year term appointment, with the strong possibility of renewal.

Work Format Details

This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment. 

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 054. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes. 

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.