Assistant Director for Research, Middle East Initiative

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

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The John

F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy Schoolâs mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting‑edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match.

When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

About MEI

The Middle East Initiative (MEI) at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs is Harvard Universityâs principal forum for policy‑relevant research and teaching on the contemporary Middle East and North Africa. Directed by Tarek Masoud, the Ford Foundation Professor of Democracy and Governance, MEI convenes policymakers, scholars, and intellectuals from the region and beyond to expand our understanding of this complex part of the world and to contribute to the search for solutions to its most pressing policy challenges.

Through the integration of scholarly research, policy analysis, education, and community engagement, MEI aims to advance public policy and build capacity in the Middle East, with the aim of enhancing the lives of all the regionâs peoples.

MEI seeks a quantitatively‑oriented social scientist with deep knowledge of the Middle East to join our team as an Assistant Director for Research. Reporting to and under the direction of the Faculty Director, this new position will lead the development and implementation of MEIâs in‑house research portfolio. The successful candidate will also play a central role in exploring and developing new opportunities for collaborative projects and will become a key member of MEIâs leadership team, working closely with the Faculty Director to drive MEIâs intellectual output.

The successful candidate will be motivated, resourceful, a self‑starter, and a team‑player with the ability to meet deadlines, solve problems, track multiple projects and deliverables, and communicate clearly and professionally with a broad range of stakeholders including donors, scholars, and research partners in the field. Experience leading research projects in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is a must.

• Play a leading role in developing and managing MEIâs in‑house research portfolio, including peer‑reviewed research, policy briefs, and case studies to be used in teaching at Harvard and beyond.
• Design high quality systems for research management and ensure effective implementation. Key areas include IRB approval, secure data management, ethical use of human subjects in large field‑based research studies, coding protocols, etc.
• Identify, assess and develop opportunities for new research engagements
• Directly contribute to the analytical and content‑driven activities of MEIâs research work through collaboratively‑authored background papers, policy briefs, case studies, and peer‑reviewed research publications.
• Help build and expand partnerships with policy and research institutions and universities, contribute to building and maintaining productive relationships with current and potential funders, and effectively represent MEI and faculty researchers at relevant conferences and in meetings with senior policy partners
• Recruit, supervise, and mentor research assistants
• Play a key role in designing and implementing MEI research workshops and conferences
• Travel to the region as needed to manage field‑based research activities
• Participate in selection processes for various MEI research programs, including fellowships and research awards

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD in political science, economics, or sociology required.
• Minimum seven years professional…