ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
Evidence for Policy Design (EPoD) at Harvard Kennedy School works to promote the use of analytical insights, drawn from economics and backed by rigorous evidence, to inform the design and implementation of public policies and programs around the world. Through research, teaching and capacity-building activities, we seek to equip decision-makers worldwide with knowledge and skills on how data and evidence can be used to most effectively achieve policy goals. EPoD directly engages with governments and local organizations to identify key questions, design innovative new policies or interventions, and test these using the tools of applied microeconomics, including large field-based experiments. Current research topics at EPoD include governance, education, entrepreneurship, health, agriculture, sustainable development, and access to finance.
EPoD is currently seeking a Research Fellow to contribute to the development and delivery of all teaching, training, and Executive Education activities at EPoD. The successful candidate will gain the opportunity to shape the way that international development and evidence-based policy-making is taught to current and future policymakers and practitioners at the Harvard Kennedy School and beyond.
There will be a particular focus on integrating rigorous empirical research into course content, requiring analysis and synthesis of data and economic papers into teaching materials, under the guidance and direction of EPoD faculty, the Training Manager, and the Senior Research and Training Manager. In addition to working closely with the EPoD faculty directors, Rohini Pande and Asim Khwaja, the Fellow will work with Dan Levy and Harvard Kennedy School’s Strengthening Learning and Teaching Excellence (SLATE) program to bring the latest in pedagogical innovation and excellence to EPoD teaching.
The Fellow will work with other counterparts across the Kennedy School, in addition to with partner organizations such as the Center for Economic Research in Pakistan, the Institute for Financial Management and Research (India), the Jameel Poverty Action Lab, and Innovations for Poverty Action to develop and implement training, research, and policy engagement strategies. The Fellow will also contribute to innovative meta-analyses of training activities; these analyses will inform and guide future EPoD training activities.
ABOUT THE JOB:
Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Support development of courses and training materials in the area of international development and evidence-informed policy-making, including:
- Synthesis and review of relevant literatures to inform course content;
- Drafting case studies, lecture slides, assignments and other teaching materials;
- Preparation of data sets and exercises for course materials and content;
- Summary statistics and data analysis using Stata as needed for background research or development of course materials;
- Curriculum development and course planning.
- Develop content and support policy conferences and Executive Education at Harvard or internationally hosted by EPoD;
- Coordinate with other course offerings at Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard, within the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab and Innovation for Poverty Action networks, and with other partner organizations more globally to develop unique, effective teaching materials and high-impact teaching engagements;
- Support the delivery of the training component of a multi-year capacity building program on using evidence targeted at policymakers in Pakistan and India in coordination with the Strengthening Learning and Teaching Excellence (SLATE) initiative at Harvard Kennedy School;
- Work closely with the EPoD Training Manager, EPoD Senior Research and Training Manager, and counterparts at SLATE on the design and delivery of training programs;
- Support in preparing research and policy proposals and publications (e.g. edit, develop and proofread presentations, reports, policy briefs, and research papers), in addition to grant proposals and supporting documents for EPoD research and initiatives;
- Others, as required.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, international development or related field and 1-3 years of related experience. OR a Master’s degree in economics, public policy, international development or related field. Other qualifications include:
- Coursework in empirical methods, including economics and econometrics. Excellent English oral and written communication skills;
- Skills in Stata for basic data analysis required;
- Computer literacy (including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and computer research skills are vital;
- Travel to South Asia (particularly Pakistan and India) and other international locations will be required (Estimated at 25%);
- Strong interest in public policy and economic development research;
- Experience in field research is a plus;
- Strong communication skills (both oral and written) are a plus.
HOW TO APPLY:
If you are interested, please email epod@hks.harvard.edu with the subject line "Research Fellow - Training", your CV, academic transcript, and a statement of interest.
