Research Assistant, Negotiation Task Force

Job Summary

The NTF Research Assistant will work directly with the NTF Director on research projects on contemporary negotiation challenges in the Euro-Atlantic spheres and Eurasia. Outputs are research reports, policy-oriented publications, negotiation mapping papers, as well as peer-reviewed work. The RA is crucial to the research component of the NTF's three strategic priorities, the "Negotiation Exercise Incubator" (NEI), the Arms Control Negotiation Academy (ACONA), and the "Red Horizon: Force and Diplomacy in Eurasia" Executive Education program. ACONA is an international collaborative effort of the Negotiation Task Force, the Woodrow Wilson Center's History and Public Policy Program, Höfði Reykjavík Peace Centre Iceland, and Peace Research Institute Frankfurt Germany to train emerging security negotiators. Red Horizon is an annual, 3-day global crisis exercise and immersive workshop that engages 60+ guests and program affiliates in a great power conflict simulation on US-Russia-China-EU relations. The scenario is underpinned by research into the decision-making systems of these great powers. The RA will also work on the creation of new negotiation simulations on current issues in the Eurasian and Euro-Atlantic spheres and their dissemination to the Harvard community and beyond through the NEI. Auto req ID

58797BR

Job Code

403109 Research Assistant I Non-Lab

Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Business Title

Research Assistant, Negotiation Task Force

Sub-Unit

------------

Appointment End Date

31-Jul-2023

Salary Grade

052

Time Status

Full-time

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Basic Qualifications





College background or equivalent experience required. One to two years of work experience in a research role for an academic institution, research institute, think tank, or similar organization. Demonstrated knowledge of qualitative and quantitative social science research methods.



Additional Qualifications and Skills

Proficiency in at least one European or Eurasian language in addition to English, e.g. Russian, Polish, German. Impeccable attention to detail and academic rigor in research and writing. Advanced knowledge of all MS office applications. Excellent organizational skills with a particular ability to prioritize work in an environment with multiple and conflicting interests. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Excellent team worker. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Knowledge of and interest in Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian security and economic issues. Excellent writing skills and excellent command of the English language. Ability to adhere to strict deadlines.

Additional Information

This is a one-year term appointment. Appointment end date may be extended should available funding become available.

Applicants should include a cover letter with their application.

The Negotiation Task Force (NTF) promotes innovative solutions to Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian security challenges by creating spaces for cross-cultural negotiation research, training, and strategic analysis. We pioneer new models for high-impact knowledge dissemination, train practitioners in advanced negotiation skills, and build long-term conflict management capacity. To learn more about the NTF visit our website at https://daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/research-initiatives/negotiation-task-force.

The Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies exists to advance scholarship in all fields of Russian and Eurasian studies at Harvard. The Center does this in many ways: administering a master's program in regional studies, sponsoring seminars and conferences, supporting faculty and student research, maintaining the Davis Center Collection at Fung Library, hosting postdoctoral fellows, visiting scholars, and associates in research, publishing a journal on the Cold War, and sponsoring outreach to K-14 educators and students and the broader community. To learn more about the Davis Center visit our website at https://daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/ .

All formal written offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

Department

Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies

Pre-Employment Screening

Identity

Job Function

Research

Position Description

Negotiation Research Assistance : Collects data and performs scientific writing assignments for Negotiation Task Force projects, research papers, peer-reviewed publications, reports, data bases, and other knowledge products on conflict, negotiation, and international relations in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian spheres, acquiring such data through observation, structured interviews, library research, data processing methods, or other research methods; Records and/or codes data according to NTF requirements and established protocols; Processes, organizes and summarizes data, using a variety of scientific, word processing, spreadsheet or statistical software applications or program platforms.

Negotiation Exercise Design : Develops advanced knowledge of negotiation exercise design methods under direct supervision of the Negotiation Task Force Director; Collaborates with other NTF team members on the creation of new teaching materials, such as case studies, conflict simulations, and wargames for Harvard students and other NTF community members, including U.S. service members and U.S. government officials; educates and trains other NTF research assistants in the application of this design methods; Under minimal supervision, reworks and reformats teaching content into customized materials to be used in negotiation workshops and courses; assists NTF instructors with delivering Executive Education programs.

Editorial Assistance and Outreach : In collaboration with the NTF Coordinator, manages and maintains the NTF, ACONA, and Red Horizon websites; the call for applications process for ACONA Fellows; the NTF newsletter and the Negotiation Exercise Incubator which produces new multi-party negotiation simulations on conflict resolution issues in Eurasia; Helps manages the dissemination of these teaching materials to instructors at Harvard and beyond through an online database.

Administrative Project Assistance : Supports the NTF Director and the NTF Coordinator in coordinating top-level research projects and team management, including correspondence, scheduling, and administrative arrangements, research agenda coordination for NTF projects including but not limited to Red Horizon and ACONA; Support the NTF Coordinator in maintaining the contact database and organizational email accounts for NTF, ACONA, and Red Horizon; handling NTF, ACONA, and Red Horizon correspondence and queries; Supports the NTF Director and the NTF Coordinator in in project and event management tasks as needed.

School/Unit

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Working Conditions

PLEASE NOTE: This position requires occasional overtime, and some evening and weekend work.

Occasional domestic and foreign travel will be required.

The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in Harvard’s Vaccine & Booster Requirements . Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/ .

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.