Program Officer- China and Global South

Summary

The SSRC seeks a Program Officer to support and help lead a new initiative devoted to building research capacity on China in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Reporting to and working closely with the Program Director, the Program Officer will play a key role in the management, outputs, and direction of this project.

Description

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) is a Brooklyn, NY–based, independent, international, nonprofit organization devoted to the advancement of interdisciplinary research in the social sciences and related disciplines through a wide variety of workshops and conferences, fellowships and grants, summer training institutes, scholarly exchanges, research, and publications. Working with partners around the world to link research to practice and policy, our work strengthens individual and institutional capacities for learning and enhances public access to information. For more information, please visit our website: www.ssrc.org. 

The SSRC seeks to hire a Program Officer (PO) to support its work on China and the Global South. The China and the Global South initiative, a new project that builds on the SSRC’s long-standing work on China-Africa engagements, aims to develop research capacity about China in the Global South and to connect institutions and researchers producing knowledge on China in a global network. The program is funded by the Ford Foundation. The principal responsibility of the position is to manage the program’s activities in partnership with the program director, while also supporting other aspects of the SSRC’s work. This includes developing literature reviews and scoping studies, as well as designing and implementing workshops and other program activities.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director of the program and in partnership with other POs, the PO will:

• Manage the daily operations of the China and the Global South initiative.

• Identify leading scholars and research institutions focused on China’s engagements with Asia, and help expand the program’s research networks in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
• Draft literature reviews and scoping studies of knowledge networks and existing literature on China and the Global South, and assess research capacity needs.
• Work with the Program Director to design an institutional learning study on best practices of building research capacity.
• Plan, organize, and facilitate virtual and in-person workshops and meetings in New York and internationally. This includes preparing meeting agendas, drafting and editing concept notes and event reports, and coordinating and facilitating correspondence with participants and all relevant stakeholders during workshops and meetings.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration among a wide and interdisciplinary group of researchers and other members of the program’s networks.
• Manage program budgets, and write proposals and grant reports for current and potential funders.
• Supervise research and program assistants, interns, and consultants as needed.
• Conduct research related to the intellectual vision of the program, and participate as an active member in relevant scholarly communities.

• Serve as a leading editor of related online publications, working with the Program Director to establish and maintain editorial vision, tone, and direction.
• Work with the Program Director on new program development and funding proposals for international activities at the SSRC.
• Other duties and additional responsibilities and projects as directed, depending upon interest and capacity.

Qualifications

• PhD in one of the social sciences, the humanities, or a closely related field (political science, international relations, history, international political economy, international development, education, etc.) required. Recent PhD (within three to seven years) preferred.
• Professional and research focus on China/Asia and experience with or knowledge of educational institutions and networks in China and more broadly in Asia. Willingness to work across multiple regions.
• A strong commitment to support and strengthen research capacity in the global South.
• Interest in working at the interface of academia, policy, and philanthropy.
• Administrative experience in academic or nonprofit settings, and experience planning and running international workshops.
• Demonstrated success in administering complex tasks in a hybrid office environment, and excellent organizational and budgeting skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, political judgment, and high degree of professionalism.
• Exceptional scholarly writing and editorial skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple priorities effectively, and to communicate effectively with both researchers and nonacademic constituencies, including funders and practitioners.
• Team player with demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Experience supervising staff.
• Ability to travel internationally.
• Spoken and written fluency in in Mandarin Chinese, in addition to English, required. 

Terms, Salary and Benefits

Annual salary will be commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits include health, dental, vision, disability, life, and gym reimbursement; professional development funds; outstanding pension plan and tax savings programs; generous vacation and sick leave; and more.

Application Information

Applications will be reviewed until the position has been filled. This is a two-year position, with possibility of extension, contingent on funding.

The Social Science Research Council is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are dedicated to equal employment opportunity and to cultivating and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce.  SSRC maintains a policy of non-discrimination with all employees and applicants for employment.  All aspects of employment with the Council are made on the basis of competence, skill and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, creed, color, religion, sex/gender, national origin/ancestry, ethnicity, age, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital or domestic partner status, medical conditions (including pregnancy and/or genetic information) or physical or mental disability, citizenship status or any other categories prohibited by law.