Special Projects Associate

CEGA seeks a talented Special Projects Associate (SPA) to support the Executive Director as well as the Center’s flagship Global Networks program

About CEGA

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 150 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 Special Projects Associate (SPA) to support the Executive Director as well as the Center’s flagship Global Networks program. The SPA will support the Executive Director by assisting with various tasks related to background research, knowledge management, the development of new CEGA research initiatives, and other duties as assigned. They will additionally support CEGA’s Global Networks team in providing high-quality experiences for research fellows from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The position requires high attention to detail, excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work independently, flexibly, and effectively under tight deadlines. 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 the Executive Director.

Specific responsibilities include:

Program Support to Executive Director (20%)

• Tracking outreach to (and engagement with) key stakeholders and partners
• Support preparation for high-profile meetings and events by conducting background research, drafting talking points and slide decks, ghost writing emails and other correspondence, and taking notes
• Ensuring that CEGA’s Salesforce database is current and working with the ED to input key contact and programmatic information retrospectively

Special Projects (50%)

• Supporting new initiative development by conducting background research on relevant partners, donors, and faculty affiliates/fellows
• Helping to coordinate meetings and events related to new CEGA initiatives (in collaboration with relevant program teams and CEGA Events Associate)
• Identifying potential funding opportunities for new CEGA initiatives
• Drafting content for concept notes, proposals, etc. related to new CEGA initiatives

Global Networks (25%)

• Supporting CEGA visiting fellows on campus (assisting with logistics for campus trips, arranging meetings with faculty and students, arranging housing and activities for short-term visitors)
• Assisting with Global Networks subgranting, including issuing awards to researchers and following up with grantees
• Supporting Global Networks events (including logistics for the Africa Evidence Summit)

Professional Development and Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

• Professional Development and other duties as assigned, including organizing meetings (in-person and over Zoom), arranging complex and detailed travel plans, itineraries, agendas, and reimbursement requests

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS in Economics, Public Policy, Policy Analysis, Business, International Relations, Public Health or related field;

Preferred Qualifications

• Capacity to manage work independently, multitask and be responsive to tight deadlines;
• Self-directed and intrinsically motivated;
• 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 is preferred; Salesforce or other customer or donor database experience is a plus;
• Strong skills in short-term planning, problem-solving, and customer service;
• Strong interpersonal skills in working with colleagues at all levels;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Familiarity with major problems and solutions to global poverty; as well as rigorous impact evaluation research methods;
• Coursework in quantitative research methods, including mathematical statistics, econometrics, and microeconomics;
• Experience working in low and middle-income countries (preferably in a research-related capacity);
• 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 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.
• 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 $65,000 -$82,958. UC Berkeley offers a competitive benefits package. For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/forms_pubs/misc/benefits_of_belonging.pdf

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted through the UC Berkeley jobs website. Please visit http://jobs.berkeley.edu and search for Job ID# 50472. 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.