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Why join the Harvard Kennedy School?

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.

Job Summary:

The Social Innovation and Change Initiative (SICI, pronounced “sigh-see”) at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) has an immediate opening for an experienced and motivated Program Coordinator to join a high performing team of faculty, staff, students, and practitioners as they create and execute on projects designed to advance the field of social innovation.

Working as an integral part of the Program team, the Program Coordinator is primarily responsible for the successful delivery and execution of SICI’s Social Innovation Fellows Program, in addition to supporting the Beck Visiting Social Innovator (VSI) program, Changemakers Circle, and other educational activities. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

The Program Coordinator will work as a meaningful thought partner, engaged collaborator, and proactive problem solver throughout the development, execution, and evaluation of educational programs and activities. Responsibilities include:

Program Coordination: Independently drives all coordination of Social Innovation Fellows Program, Beck VSI Program, and other current and new educational programming. This includes participant recruitment and selection, in-person sessions, online workshops, and additional educational experiences. Availability is required 2 evenings/week and 1 weekend/semester. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Operations: Proactively plan, coordinate, and document all aspects of program delivery, including all administrative, logistical, and organizational needs.
• Communications: Provide timely, reliable, and supportive communications for alumni, students, affiliates, and program participants to enhance and elevate SICI’s educational programs.
• Pedagogy: Coordinate with the SICI team and faculty, teaching teams, and guest faculty on content development, delivery, and online or in-person facilitation.
• Coaching: Operate as part of SICI’s coaching team to support developing student social changemakers and coordinate coaching meetings with Beck VSIs and others.
• Evaluation: Systematically track, organize, and analyze trends related to programmatic activities and outcomes, and use data to inform and improve performance and impact.
• Culture ambassador: General upkeep and reinforcement of important cultural norms in SICI community.

Relationship Management: Builds positive and effective relationships in-person and virtually with a wide variety of stakeholders, including SICI team, students, alumni, staff, faculty, Harvard partners, and other collaborators to accomplish program and individual-level goals.

Strategic Input: Contributes insights to SICI’s strategic priorities such as pedagogical codification, dissemination, influence, and expansion. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Assistance with developing educational programming in collaboration with SICI Leadership to analyze and respond to evolving needs of the social innovation ecosystem and key constituencies.
• Preparation for and contribution to SICI strategy meetings and weekly team briefings on SICI’s progress.
• Supporting special projects and other duties, as needed. 

Working Conditions: Availability to work 2 evenings/week and 1 weekend/semester. Occasional travel required. 

Application Instructions & Timeline: Applications must include a resume and cover letter or they will be considered incomplete. We will review candidates on a rolling basis, prioritizing applications received by November 1, 2026.

Basic Qualifications:

2 years of relevant experience with educational program delivery, project management, or related administrative responsibilities.

Availability required: 2 evenings/week and 1 weekend/semester. Occasional travel required. 

Application Instructions: A complete application must include a resume and cover letter. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

SICI is committed to transparent and equitable hiring practices. Toward this aim, we have provided criteria that candidates will be assessed throughout the hiring process in this posting.

Role-specific Competencies:  

• Administrative Coordination: Demonstrates experience and proficiency in administrative systems/process creation and coordination, with speed and accuracy. Can identify and quickly address time-sensitive priorities and independently drive work forwards.  
• Developing Social Change Makers: Demonstrates ability and enthusiasm for coaching and guiding social changemakers around SICI's educational content. 
• Communication Skills: Demonstrates ability to express and comprehend work clearly in conversation, written English, and/or visual presentations. 
• Relationship Management: Demonstrates ability to prioritize constituent needs and pull in the necessary stakeholders to address complex or high-priority requests. Conveys relevant context to internal and external stakeholders to support productive engagement in shared work.  
• Solutions-Orientation: Identifies a question or challenge, suggests improvement or alternatives, and seeks input/support when needed to accomplish intended results. Demonstrates ability to analyze, evaluate, and make decisions at appropriate level. 

All candidates are also evaluated on criteria that are core to SICI’s values and institutional needs: 

• Collaboration: Ability to work with multiple stakeholders to accomplish a project, including leading through influence. Comfortable giving and receiving feedback to advance shared work.  
• Learning Mindset: Self-motivated to seek input that informs perspective and approach, and drives effectiveness. 
• Commitment to Social Justice: Embraces and upholds SICI team's shared value of justice. 
• Institutional Add: Motivated to contribute informed perspective and voice to SICI. Demonstrates curiosity and enthusiasm for enriching SICI's work.  
• Management Fit: Alignment between candidate's skills, experience, and professional style with management needs. 

We encourage candidates of all identities and backgrounds apply. Candidates hoping to quickly build their knowledge and experience with social innovation pedagogy and research, and reputation as a reliable, organized, driver of high impact programming for social good, are encouraged to apply. 

• Appointment End Date: 1 year from date of hire, with strong possibility of extension. 
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity
• Application Timeline:  We will review candidates on a rolling basis, prioritizing applications received by November 1, 2026.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 054. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.