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Full Project Scientist -Center for Effective Global Action

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Position overview

Position title: Staff Scientist, Cost Transparency Initiative
Salary range: Commensurate with experience.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: October 15, 2021
Position duration: The position is currently funded for one year through September 2022, with the possibility of extension pending funding.

Position description

The Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) at UC Berkeley seeks outstanding applicants for a Full Project Scientist position to lead the Center’s Cost Transparency Initiative (CTI). The CTI is a center-wide effort to increase the quantity and quality of cost evidence in impact evaluation research (collectively termed “economic evaluation”) by studying and improving the “market” for cost data, establishing best practice methods and tools for cost data collection and analysis, and building sustainable capacity for producing and using cost evidence. The initiative responds to market disincentives; methodological, transparency and data quality challenges; and capacity gaps that lead the development economics field to underproduce economic evaluations, specifically cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses.

The Project Scientist will lead significant and creative contributions to this research portfolio, setting the strategic vision for the initiative in coordination with CEGA leadership. They will drive the research agenda, manage data-centric components (including analysis, review and technical assistance), direct related activities, and raise funds in close collaboration with CEGA faculty affiliates, researchers, staff, and a wide range of funding and policy partners. The Project Scientist will report directly to Professor and CEGA Faculty Co-Director Edward Miguel, while collaborating with CEGA affiliated faculty, CEGA’s Executive Director, and program staff to conceptualize, develop, and apply tools that make it easier and more efficient to integrate economic evaluation methods with CEGA’s global development research. They will develop research proposals and substantively contribute (as a PI, co-PI or costing expert) to a variety of research activities and publications in which cost-effectiveness analysis is a central component (for example, CEGA’s portfolio of cash benchmarking studies funded by USAID).

Additionally, the Project Scientist will train researchers--including visiting fellows from low- and middle-income countries--to integrate cost analysis into impact evaluation research. This will be accomplished through training and curriculum development, technical assistance, publications, and conference presentations. Importantly, they will develop new guidance and advise decision makers across sectors to integrate transparent costing practices into their programming and evaluations.

Other key responsibilities include: leading CTI community-building and strategic planning, in coordination with relevant stakeholders; leading development of related grant proposals to secure funding and progress reports for current funding sources. The Project Scientist will also manage additional cost transparency efforts relevant to the PI's goals.

This position is in the Academic Researches Unit, and is represented by the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), AFL-CIO and its Local Union 5810.: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/ra/contract.html

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

PhD or equivalent international degree

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

10 years research experience

Preferred qualifications

● 10 years experience leading empirical research including developing methods and supervising data collection and data cleaning activities;
● 10 years experience and competency with statistical software packages such as STATA, SAS, R, and ability to render accurate statistical analysis;
● 5-10 years experience and competency working with decision makers in multilateral, government, and/or research institutions mainstreaming transparent and reproducible research practices;
● PhD (or equivalent international degree) in Policy Analysis or Economics
● Understanding of key issues related to economic evaluation, including costing and cost effectiveness analysis in empirical social science research;
● Experience applying economic evaluation methods in impact evaluation across a wide range of sectors;
● Experience designing and implementing data collection instruments;
● Ability to independently investigate solutions to technical and administrative problems;
● Ability to meet and discuss project objectives with academics, policymakers and donors;
● Outstanding written and oral communication skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific findings into accessible, non-technical language (via publications or professional presentations);
● Ability to work well with teams, and communicate effectively with colleagues and faculty.
● Teaching experience and translating complex material/research to broad, non-technical audiences;
● Specialization in causal inference in applied micro-econometrics, research design and program evaluation;
● Ability to interact with individuals at all levels in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure, while remaining flexible, proactive, tactful, resourceful and efficient, and with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement on Contributions to Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Statement on your contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including information about your understanding of these topics, your record of activities to date, and your specific plans and goals for advancing equity and inclusion if hired at Berkeley (for additional information go to https://ofew.berkeley.edu/recruitment/contributions-diversity).

Reference requirements
  • 2 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF03104

Help contact: jaguilar@berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location

Berkeley, California