Job Summary
The Program Assistant for Global Vietnam Wars Studies Initiative and Unseen Legacies of the Vietnam War Project at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia is responsible for the administrative and operational success of several projects. Candidates must demonstrate organizational skills and consistent attention to detail, experience working in a fast-paced environment, and willingness to approach problems with creativity and collegiality. The Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia sits within the Ash Center, a global and values-driven community that believes diverse perspectives are paramount to better understanding and addressing real-world problems. In fostering an environment of rigor, curiosity, and integrity, we value and respect different opinions, lived experiences, and diverse research and policy areas and approaches. We actively seek candidates who share our commitment and values.
The Global Vietnam Wars Studies Initiative (GVWSI) is establishing a state-of-the-art digital humanities platform, based on oral history interviews from all sides of the Vietnam War, to advance multi-disciplinary war studies and foster intellectual and institutional exchange across communities, generations, and nations to promote reconciliation and healing. The Unseen Legacies of the Vietnam War Project is the first systematic review of documents from multiple archives and other sources in the U.S. and Vietnam, designed to facilitate the location and identification of Vietnamese war dead.
Position Description
Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Program Assistant works closely with researchers of the Vietnam War projects and supports as needed the leadership of the Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia.
Specific responsibilities include:
Finance and Personnel Administration
- Prepare and process several corporate card expense reports, bills, invoices, travel and other reimbursements in a timely and thorough manner.
- Assist in resolving financial issues related to payments, and project-related expenses.
- Support the finance team in gathering information for grants and other financial reporting.
- Prepare, submit, and track personnel paperwork including hiring, visas, and more.
Research Team Support
- Schedule and support team meetings, including room reservations, AV technology, materials and agendas, and meeting notes.
- Arrange international and domestic travel for the team including flights, accommodations, ground transportation, and incidentals.
- Other duties as needed such as backing up and maintaining file and data storage.
Outreach and Events
- Work with Ash Center communications team to support web presence and email campaigns.
- Coordinate contractual agreements with event-related vendors.
- Book travel for visitors and program guests including airfare, hotel, ground transportation, and incidentals.
- Prepare conference and event materials including sign-in sheets, name tags, table tents.
- Staff events, including greeting attendees and assisting VIPs and presenters.
Basic Qualifications
Two years of relevant administrative support experience. Related Internships and practicums will count toward experience.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
If you have some of the following, we encourage you to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.
- Experience managing multiple projects, setting priorities, and working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Friendly, sense of humor, with a strong emphasis on quality and customer service.
- Knowledge of office processes, systems, and software (e.g., MS Office Suite, Buy2Pay, Concur, etc.).
- Experience incorporating an equity lens into one’s work and helping build inclusive work environments.
Additional Information
This position is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment ending one year from date of hire with very strong possibility of renewal.
We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide visa sponsorship.
Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background checks.
Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.
Learn more about our work culture and see yourself at Harvard Kennedy School.
This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. As a campus-based institution, we place a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The position is required to work in-person on campus a minimum of three days per week during the academic year. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager.
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.
Salary Range: $55,806 - $87,169
Note: Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity.
Work Format Details
This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. 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.
About Us
The mission of the Roy and Lila Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation is to develop ideas and foster practices for equal and inclusive, multi-racial and multi-ethnic democracy and self-government.
The Ash Center believes that diverse perspectives are paramount to better understanding and addressing real-world problems. As a global community that brings together students, faculty, staff, and fellows, with practitioners and policymakers from around the world, we focus on advancing excellence in democracy and self-government. We are committed to fostering an environment of rigor, curiosity, and integrity. As a Center, we therefore value and respect different opinions, lived experiences, and diverse research and policy areas and approaches. We continue to strive for excellence while creating an equitable and inclusive community for all.
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.
Job Function
General Administration
Department Office Location
USA - MA - Cambridge
Job Code
403033 Staff Assistant III
Work Format
Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)
Department
Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation
Annual Salary Range
$55,806-$87,169
Union
55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers
Pre-Employment Screening
Identity
Schedule
9 - 5 Monday through Friday
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard Kennedy School’s Mission and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism
At Harvard Kennedy School, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels they belong is a matter of basic fairness consistent with our core values as an institution. It is also essential to our mission of improving public policy and leadership—because recruiting the best people and creating an environment where they can thrive make us better at what we do, because we learn more from people with different perspectives, and because we work in diverse groups and serve diverse societies. Learn more about Harvard Kennedy School’s commitment to Diversity Equity, and Anti-Racism.
EEO 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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