Faculty Assistant and Global Food System Program Coordinator

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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 School’s 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.

The Global Food Systems Program is seeking an organized and proactive administrative professional to support a growing program dedicated to one overarching question:
How can we feed the world well? The program brings together faculty from across campus as well as policymakers, business leaders, and practitioners working in the food system with a common goal of securing a stable, affordable supply of healthy food while reducing the environmental footprint of how food is produced, processed, and distributed. As the program's administrative coordinator, you will be central to keeping it running smoothly—coordinating events and convenings, and serving as a key point of contact for faculty, fellows, students, and partners around the world as we develop new initiatives.

• Manage course delivery: get copyright clearances for course readings and post them on Canvas (online course website), track student work, liaise with guests, coordinate audiovisual support, organize in-class activities, manage office hours for faculty
• Serve as principal source of information on established unit/project/program policies and advise faculty, students or staff; including overseeing the teaching team (of teaching fellows and course assistants)
• Communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the faculty, possibly assist with faculty recruitment or promotion processes
• Manage complex calendars, travel arrangements, and expense reimbursements
• Proofread documents, retrieve research resources, and submit materials for publishing and distribution on campus and globally
• Plan events: communicate with guests, reserve rooms, order catering, and manage all logistics
• Move projects forward and continually look for ways to leverage faculty time
• Assist in the planning and teaching of degree program classes as well as executive education programs
• Work with course coaches and research assistants on various cases and simulations that demand great attention to detail, effective communication, and organizational flexibility
• Assist in growing the newly established Program in Global Food Systems by setting up programmatic meetings for faculty across campus working in the food space
• Coordinate with student groups in agriculture and food when they host events and invite outside speakers
• Coordinate the annual PAPSAC conference – coordinate space and room reservations, catering, communication, marketing, travel, event set‑up, event registration, greet guests, coordinate security when necessary, manage event audiovisual needs
• Manage programmatic reimbursements for guests and other stakeholders
• Fulfill programmatic administrative needs as necessary

• You set a high bar for yourself with attention to detail and strong customer service
• You can communicate with various different social styles and adjust to the working styles of others when necessary
• You are proactive and can anticipate the needs of your role
• You know how to be helpful even when you don’t have the answer
• Adaptability is second nature; with constant change, you are flexible and receptive to feedback
• You are comfortable juggling competing priorities, reporting to multiple supervisors, and accommodating a broad range of work styles
• You work well independently and also contribute as a valuable team member
• P…