Research Assistant II Harvard Humanitarian Initiative

About HHI

The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) is a university-wide academic and research center in humanitarian crisis and leadership. HHI is an affiliated program with the International Division of the Brigham Health Emergency Department and based at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH) Department of Global Health and Population. As an Inter-Faculty Initiative, HHI collaborates closely with all Harvard Schools and Harvard Teaching Hospitals and is the primary humanitarian outreach arm of Harvard University. The mission of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative is to create new knowledge and advance evidence-based leadership in disasters and humanitarian crisis. HHI was founded in 2005, currently operates 20 projects, and consists of 60 staff, faculty, visiting scientists, students, and collaborators. HHI's aim is to promote interdisciplinary dialogue in pressing humanitarian issues, advance the science and practice of humanitarian response worldwide, and improve the lives of communities in war, conflict, and natural disasters.

About the Signal Program on Human Security and Technology

The Signal Program at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, founded in 2012, has worked to advance the safe, ethical, and effective use of information technologies by communities of practice during humanitarian and human rights emergencies, through interdisciplinary teams that collaborate with faculty members, international organizations, academic and non-academic research institutes, and professional agencies. Its core goals have been to train and equip humanitarian practitioners with the technical methods, ethical doctrine, research, and relevant evidence-based practices needed to responsibly use Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) as part of their operations. In this next phase of the Signal Program, it is the team's objective to strengthen the efficacy and efficiency of early warning/early action work through a strategic, evidence-based, and ethical integration of spatial methods, field methods, and novel analytic tools into existing EW/EA decision-support mechanisms and workflows.

About the position

This is a part-time consultancy position for 12 - 15 months (with possibility of extension) through Mass General Brigham. The research assistant will work approximately 15 hours per week. Preference will be given to those who can commit to the entirety of the project period. Details and logistics to be discussed on an individual basis with candidates. Hourly wage will be commensurate with years of experience, starting at $21/hr. Women and applicants from low- and middle-income countries and conflict-affected communities are highly encouraged to apply. Please note:

*This is a remote position, but candidates must reside and be eligible to work in the United States for the duration of the engagement.

Required Documents

CV/Resume

Cover letter

2 letters of recommendation

Proof of COVID vaccination

Under the guidance of the PIs, the Research Assistant will:

1. Assist with administrative tasks including but not limited to project documentation, data and file management, and stakeholder database

2. Grow and maintain a literature database capturing the challenges, potential, and current use of spatial methods in EW/EA decision-support mechanisms and workflows

3. Support research pertaining to EW/EA, spatial analyses, M&E strategies, human-centered design

4. Assist in the development of asynchronous curricula and online learning modules

5. Support in the coordination of online and in-person conferences, workshops, meetings, and other events as needed

6. Prepare briefings on programmatic updates and achievements for key stakeholders and donors

7. Collaborate in the design and execution of GIS analyses (including cluster analysis, time series analysis, geographically weighted regression, and spatial modeling) and data visualization

8. Perform other duties as required

Required Qualifications:

1. 2 -3 years of qualitative research experience in the humanitarian, development, or related field

2. Language -excellent written and spoken English is essential

3. Must be based in the United States

4. Must be COVID vaccinated

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Familiarity with regional and/or local EW/EA mass atrocity organizations

2. Experience with GIS tools (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, QGIS, etc.)

3. Experience with academic tools (Microsoft Office Suite, Covidence, and Zotero

Required Skills:

1. Detail-oriented and organized, able to manage multiple tasks at once

2. Strong academic and industry-oriented writing

3. Comfortable with cross cultural communication with mid- to high- level actors

4. Ability to work independently and with small teams in remote settings

BWH is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.