The Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies (HCPDS) is a university-wide initiative, dedicated to interdisciplinary research focused primarily on the quantitative social science of population change, socioeconomic development, and public health. Our goal is to produce population-based evidence that will better inform policies needed to create healthy and vital societies.

We are seeking a full-time Program Coordinator to lead and execute our current and future programmatic and training initiatives. The Program Coordinator is a valued, principle member of the entire HCPDS team, and interfaces significantly with colleagues, faculty and student affiliates, and outside stakeholders. Besides being professional, highly organized, and diligent, we seek candidates who approach their work with positivity and enthusiasm. In this role, the successful candidate is responsible for providing a broad range of complex program management outlined below.

This is a full-time term appointment starting summer 2023 (preferably July 1) through June 30, 2025 with strong likelihood of renewal.

This role is offered as a hybrid (some combination of onsite and remote) where you are required to be onsite 2-4 days/week in Cambridge, MA. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager. Candidates are asked to visit the HCPDS websites for more information on our mission and work: www.hsph.harvard.edu/population-development/

The Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies participates in the University’s Green Office Program and is committed to creating a more sustainable, healthy workplace. Our vision is rooted in our shared responsibility to build and operate a campus that contributes to the well-being of every member of our community—and ultimately to the health of the planet. For more information, see the https://green.harvard.edu/campaign/our-plan

The Program Coordinator, working with little supervision, plans and implements activities related to the HCPDS's focal areas plus Center-wide seminars/events. This includes the following:

The Program Coordinator leads the planning process and subsequent implementation of 25 – 30 hybrid seminars annually, including the weekly Social Demography Seminar and the bimonthly Population Research Exchange. Specific duties include: leading the annual planning meeting with the core faculty committee; conducting research and deciding on possible speakers, then issuing invitations; determining the calendar; arranging speaker travel; ordering catering; soliciting program materials; negotiating hotel contracts; arranging ancillary meetings; managing the seminar on-site (including Zoom component) and serving as host/facilitator; conducting follow-up activities (e.g. requesting honoraria); capturing program/attendance data and writing year-end summaries on seminar activities. The Program Coordinator creates and manages the SDS budget, plus controls and reconciles expenses.

Working closely with the HCPDS Deputy Director, the Program Coordinator manages activities around the recruitment and organization of our postdoctoral training programs: David E. Bell Fellowship and the Mortimer Spiegelman Fellowship on Demographic Studies. This includes circulating “calls for applications”; updating the recruitment language on the HCPDS website; updating the entire online system and application process in the Qualtrics system; troubleshooting questions from applicants; organizing incoming applications and managing the faculty review process; contacting finalists and arranging interviews. For the current cohorts, the Program Coordinator schedules and attends monthly fellows’ meetings as well as arranges all extraneous activities (e.g. special workshops).

The Program Coordinator leads the planning process and execution of 1 to 3 exploratory workshops per year. This includes working closely with the faculty convener on the agenda and logistical details; issuing invitations to attendees; arranging travel for 6-12 participants per workshop; ordering catering; soliciting program materials; negotiating hotel contracts, arranging ancillary meetings, managing on-site, and conducting follow-up activities (e.g. requesting honoraria). The PM creates and manages the workshop budget plus controls and reconciles expenses.

The Program Coordinator leads activities related to the HCPDS’s research initiatives which in the past has meant managing the development of a faculty led, co-edited book; conducting background research; and drafting progress and final reports for sponsors/donors.

The Program Coordinator will oversee (serve as Team Lead) the work of one faculty assistant (FA), providing guidance, and offering input on performance. The FA will provide administrative support on seminars and events.

The Program Coordinator will co-lead the Pop Center “Refresh Committee” that serves to review employee feedback about workplace improvements and research feasibility of top priorities to inform recommendations for Center leadership.

As time allows, the Program Coordinator will have the opportunity to take on special projects such as participating in grant preparation and researching new systems/software platforms.

The Coordinator will also perform other duties as assigned

The following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:

• Bachelor's degree
• Experience in an academic setting preferred
• Experience with Qualtrics and Wordpress
• Proficiency in MS Office 365, Zoom, and Adobe Pro
• Strong organizational and computer skills
• Experience prioritizing working in an environment with multiple and conflicting interests
• Experience communicating effectively (in writing and verbal) with various stakeholders such as faculty, fellows, and visitors
• Proven project and/or program management skills
• Experience working independently with minimal supervision
• Experience handling complex and confidential information with discretion
• We strongly encourge candidates who are upbeat, warm, and have a positive attitude.

The following cultural competencies are also preferred:

• Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments
• Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!

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• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
• This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. The O&R period will be waived for any internal Harvard employee transfers.

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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.

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website 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.

General Administration

USA - MA - Boston

403040 Coordinator II

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies

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Full-time

055

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

30-Jun-2025

Identity

At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, we believe that diversity is integral to the Harvard experience and our mission of improving public health education, research and policy. Diversity of cultural backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world enriches our community and enables us to best meet the public health needs of the United States and the world. Ongoing learning and development related to diversity allows for both individual and institutional growth, and is necessary to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for learning, living, and working at the Harvard Chan School. We maintain an unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as core to our institutional values and to actively counter, minimize, and address racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, gender bias, and all forms of discrimination.

Learn more about the School’s mission, objectives, and core values and our diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.

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.