Research Project Manager

CEGA seeks a Research Project Manager (RPM) to support the Center’s new Data Privacy Lab, which explores how privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) can enable data sharing, research, and innovation in LMICs. Through a series of real-world collaborations with partner organizations, the Lab will develop and deploy PETs in LMIC settings, using these experiences to create a privacy playbook that supports future organizations in navigating the complexities of applying PETs in practice. 

About CEGA

The Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) is a hub for research, training and innovation headquartered at the University of California, Berkeley. We generate insights that decision-makers can use to improve policies, programs, and people’s lives. Our best-in-class academic network includes nearly 200 faculty, 80 scholars from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)—primarily from East and West Africa—and hundreds of graduate students from diverse academic disciplines who produce rigorous evidence about what works to expand education, health, and economic opportunities for people living in poverty. Our business model involves curating policy-relevant research agendas in collaboration with development leaders, overseeing competitive grant-making to answer critical questions, investing in research capacity, and strategically connecting research and ideas to inform decision-making by governments, NGOs, and the private sector.

CEGA values diversity and seeks to include people from under-represented groups on our team. Read our values statement.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is October 13. To be sure your application is reviewed, please apply by for this date.

About the Position

This role will involve research responsibilities—including the coordination of research activities and operational support—as well as programmatic responsibilities—including fundraising for CEGA’s data privacy portfolio, and the development of new standards and guidelines for the ethical practice of development research. The RPM will report directly to Dr. Nitin Kohli, who leads the Lab, and collaborate closely with Senior Program Manager Dr. Sean Luna McAdams, who oversees CEGA’s Data Science for Development (DS4D) research portfolio. This is an opportunity for a self-directed team player and individual contributor, well versed in privacy and sociotechnical research, who can collaborate across technical and operational teams, and who is motivated to contribute to a dynamic organization. 

The position is full-time, based in Berkeley, California, with potential fieldwork assignments and/or travel abroad. It is a two-year appointment with the possibility of extension. 

Key ResponsibilitiesData Privacy Research Management (40%)

The RPM will coordinate research activities and lead study partner relations for multiple projects that involve the development and deployment of PETs in data-intensive LMIC settings. Specific responsibilities include:

• Utilize exceptional project management, strategic thinking and communications skills to manage key, often high-stakes relationships. Includes building and stewarding relationships with study partners, supporting the negotiation of partnership agreements/MOUs, and serving as a bridge between partners, researchers, and the CEGA’s broader network.
• Oversee general project management of Data Privacy Lab including coordinating contributions from multiple research staff members on several projects simultaneously, in close collaboration with supervisor. Organize and develop agendas for weekly research team meetings, proactively share updates, support recruiting and onboarding of new staff in partnership with CEGA’s HR Associate, and (potentially in the future) provide mentorship to support their professional growth and development.
• Identify, scope, and leverage opportunities for project expansion (e.g. new modalities or side-studies) through strategic collaboration and fundraising.
• Support the drafting of proposals, reports, documents, analyses, and presentations for fundraising, donor reporting, and dissemination activities.
• Collaborate with research team, partners, and CEGA’s communications team to translate our research into blogs, policy briefs, website content, and audiovisual outputs.
• Contribute to the writing/editing of papers for scientific publication in leading computer science and mathematics venues.

Data Privacy Lab / Programmatic Administration (40%)

• Lead financial management and pre/post award support for the Lab including developing budgets, managing grant and other funding, (technical and financial) reporting and renewals, smooth navigation of UC Berkeley systems (contracts, payments), and facilitation of project fundraising (e.g. proposal development and submission), in collaboration with CEGA’s Operations team.
• Manage subawards/other agreements, including: compiling required documentation, drafting scopes of work, monitoring sub-awards to field partners, managing payments/invoicing, and ensuring adherence to regulations/processes, human subjects protocols, and reporting requirements.
• Provide critical operational support to the Lab including contracting with partners and vendors, managing events, scheduling, and reporting.
• Manage all  event planning for the Lab, including logistics and budgeting, calls for nominations/papers, outreach, and reimbursements, with support from CEGA’s Communications and Events team.

New Initiative Development (15%)

• Contribute to the development of new initiatives at CEGA related to data privacy and other intersectional topics by stewarding relationships with faculty, policymakers, and donors; identifying fundraising and partnership opportunities; contributing to concept note and proposal development; organizing panels and networking events; and supporting research coordination efforts across key projects.
• Coordinate with relevant CEGA staff and research teams to facilitate cross-project learning and exploit synergies across the portfolio.

Center-wide Activities (10%)

• Work with colleagues to update and promote the adoption of privacy-preserving and ethical practices and standards to guide development research, especially in fragile contexts.
• Actively participate in Center-wide activities, including weekly staff meetings, annual staff retreat, maintenance of standard operating procedures and process documentation, staff recruitment and onboarding, internal working groups, performance management, and other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in quantitative research methods.
• Professional experience and/or coursework in quantitative research methods, including mathematics, statistics, econometrics, or engineering.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree with coursework in quantitative research methods.
• Experience working with research and engineering teams using state-of-the-art technologies.
• Experience with at least one programming language (e.g., Python, Java), database language (e.g., SQL), and at least one PET (e.g., differential privacy, homomorphic encryption, secure multiparty computation, private set intersection, zero knowledge proofs)
• Self-directed, intrinsically motivated; proven capacity to manage work independently, advance multiple projects in parallel,  and be responsive to time-sensitive deadlines.
• Well-organized, with strong administrative skills and outstanding attention to detail.
• Exceptional skills in strategic and short/medium planning, anticipating and solving problems, and “customer” service.
• Excellent and proactive written and oral communication skills, with ability to easily “translate” complex content for diverse audiences. 
• Experience working or living in low- and middle-income countries (preferably in a research-related or technical program management-related capacity).
• Demonstrated experience managing colleagues at all levels with superb interpersonal skills. Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality. Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work diplomatically with diverse constituencies.
• Ability to thrive in unstructured and rapidly changing environments; positive attitude in approaching challenges and uncertainty.
• Experience with grants management, financial oversight, budgeting, and pre/post award processes.
• Commitment to research transparency and ethics, and to scientific, evidence-led international development policy and capacity strengthening in LMICs.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $81,150 – $109,200

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit:  

http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html 

How to Apply

Apply here

All applications must be submitted through the UC Berkeley jobs website. Please visit http://jobs.berkeley.edu and search for Job ID# 81492. The listing is named: Project Manager (7398C), Center for Effective Global Action – #81492.
 

Submit a current CV and 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. Combine your cover letter and resume as a single attachment when applying. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Please note CEGA can 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.