| The Energy Institute seeks a motivated Research Associate to manage a suite of projects deploying a novel low-cost technology designed to measure electricity outages, power reliability, and power quality. Professor Catherine Wolfram, a Research Affiliate of the Energy Institute, is the Principal Investigator on several projects that deploy the GridWatch technologies in households and businesses in East and West Africa. The projects will use the GridWatch data to evaluate rigorously, and at a more granular level than previously achieved, the impact of new electricity infrastructure investments on households and businesses. The primary project is funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation to deploy GridWatch and conduct an impact evaluation in Accra, Ghana. The GridWatch team comprises both engineers and economists.
The Research Associate will oversee and coordinate the field research activities involving the GridWatch technologies in Ghana, Kenya, and Sierra Leone. S/he will provide critical administrative support including managing all deliverables to the respective funding agencies, coordinating with subcontractors, overseeing the local program manager's activities, budgeting/contracting, grant management, events management, and outreach/communications. The Research Associate will work closely with Professor Wolfram, who will provide mentorship and supervision, and will collaborate with other GridWatch team members. While this position is based in Berkeley, there may be periodic field work assignments in Ghana and Kenya.
This is a challenging opportunity for an early-career professional who is passionate about global development and social science research; has a strong desire to expand and deepen skills in research administration, project planning, and partnership development; and is energized to contribute to the long-term success of a dynamic organization. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Project Management: • Manage budgets, including a complex mix of campus, grant, and contract funds. • Manage funder relationships by ensuring compliance with deliverable schedules and responding to ad hoc requests. • Coordinate team meetings and communications. • Manage sub-awards/other agreements, including: compiling required documentation, drafting scopes of work, monitoring sub-awards to field partners, managing payments/invoicing, and ensuring adherence to regulations/processes, human subjects protocols, and reporting requirements. • Provide occasional administrative assistance support to team, such as booking travel arrangements and processing reimbursements.
Research Assistance: • Assist in preparation of deliverables and presentations for donor reporting as well as dissemination activities. • Conduct background research in conjunction with field research activities. • Conduct data cleaning, preliminary data analysis, and replication activities. • Design, refine and pilot research questionnaires based on interviews. • Gather data from partners and other sources for research projects.•Excellent written and oral communication skills. •Self-directed, intrinsically motivated; proven capacity to manage work independently, multitask and be responsive to time-sensitive deadlines. •Well-organized, with strong administrative skills and outstanding attention to detail. •Strong skills in short-term planning, problem-anticipation and -solving, and customer service; ability to independently investigate solutions to administrative challenges and anticipate leadership needs. •Ability to deal with unstructured and changing environments. •Strong and effective interpersonal skills in working with colleagues at all levels. Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality. Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work diplomatically with diverse constituencies. •Working knowledge of statistical software such as STATA or R; •Strong competency with MS Office (including solid understanding of Excel) and Google applications.
Education/Training: •Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. •Minimum of one year relevant professional experience. This is a 2-year, contract appointment at 100% time/40-hours a week. This position is eligible for full UC benefits, vacation and sick leave accrual. |
