Research Navigator

About the role

The Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) is launching an initiative to build the best-in-class research enablement environment for public policy. Over the next two years, the School will pilot and pressure test strategies and solutions addressing the increasing complexity of the research and research compliance environment. This position will directly support this work.

Responsibilities

• Identify and quantify administrative, technical, and other resources needed to move research projects successfully and expediently through the research compliance pipeline.
• Analyze and systematize the research compliance pipeline, building systems and solutions to bottlenecks and process slow downs.
• Monitor research compliance processes and ancillary processes to identify process bottlenecks, and trigger corresponding corrective actions.
• Develop optimal processes for research compliance staff and researchers to improve research process across the research lifecycle.
• Carefully coordinate and facilitate communication among the multiple parties involved in the research compliance and ancillary processes.
• Design pathways for research projects to achieve approval on defined and transparent timelines.
• Under the leadership of the Director of Research Computing and Data Services and HKS Chief Research Data & Privacy Officer, work closely with colleagues across the department, HKS, and the University to plan, solve, and execute to improve the process for conducting research at HKS with particular emphasis on reducing the time to approval in research compliance processes for research teams.
• Build trust and rapport with the HKS research community, HKS research enablement groups, and Harvard’s central research administrative and compliance units to facilitate coordination of efforts, communication, and general awareness of the administrative and compliance landscape at HKS and Harvard.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 2 years' professional experience in supply chain management, operations, or logistics, including experience with refining and improving complex distributed services.
• Understanding of academic research and the research compliance environment and processes in higher education.
• Expertise in process design and optimization.
• Strong skills in data analysis and analytical thinking.
• Strong problem solving skills.
• Strong communication skills in presenting data-driven solutions and recommendations to executives.
• Proficiency in using and building solutions that coordinate the flow of goods/services and/or effectively forecast demand/workload.
• Strong prioritization, process, and time management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence others effectively.
• Experience in subject areas that coincide with Harvard Kennedy School curriculum and research.