Research Program Manager, Guestworker Migration Initiative - Stanford King Center on Global Development

SCHOOL/UNIT DESCRIPTION:

The Stanford King Center on Global Development is a Stanford University research center working to improve the lives of the world's poor. Operating under the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR), the Stanford King Center catalyzes Stanford's distinctive strengths in global poverty and development research to turn path-breaking research into real-world results. To this end, the King Center supports research initiatives that unite Stanford faculty working on different areas of international development, including big data for development, governance and service delivery in Africa, conflict and polarization, and global productivity and economic growth. The King Center provides hands-on research and experiential learning opportunities for students eager to explore the challenges and opportunities of the developing world, and funds original student research. The center also sponsors a number of events, including faculty workshops, high-level policy conferences, as well as visiting scholar programs. The center disseminates findings through working papers, policy notes, and online material.

The Guestworker Migration Initiative (GMI) is an initiative of the King Center. The GMI uses research and evidence to study the impact of guestworker programs, such as the US H-2A program for seasonal agricultural work, on the economic and political lives of migrants, those in origin communities, and those in destination communities.

The initiative works with policymakers in both origin countries and destination countries, migrants, and employers to study current guestworker programs and to understand the policy debates more broadly. Our focus is on studying the role of migration for residents of low-income countries: can guestworker migration programs be effectively used as tools for poverty alleviation? 

The research utilizes large datasets, field experiments and other innovative field-based research designs, and deep contextual knowledge to identify actionable answers. The geographical focus of the lab will be Latin America, with an initial focus of Mexico. The position will report to Lab PIs Melanie Morten (Economics) and Beatriz Magaloni (Political Science).

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Research Program Manager will help develop and implement a comprehensive research program focused on guestworker migration programs. The Research Program Manager will manage the day-to-day operations of a wide range of research projects across Latin America and the United States, while continuing to expand the research portfolio. The Research Program Manager will coordinate all phases of research projects, including proposal writing, data collection activities, data analysis, and dissemination of results. This will include supporting in research and instrument design, overseeing research assistants and data collection firms, supervising data collection, helping to manage project finances, assisting with compliance with all research regulations, and writing project reports and public-facing briefs. The Research Program Manager will also help to build and maintain relationships with the GWI’s external partners, which include governmental and non-governmental agencies based in the US and Latin America. The Research Program Manager will also be responsible for developing and managing various research protocols from large scale field experiments and surveys to research protocols, from large-scale field experiments and surveys to administrative data collection and analysis. The Research Program Manager will work closely with faculty, postdocs, students, and staff to ensure that research is completed effectively and efficiently. We are looking for candidates who have the ability, experience, and energy to manage and continue to grow a diverse research portfolio focused on migration as a tool for poverty alleviation.

This is a hybrid role, with the expectation of working from the office two to three days per week. Travel within the US and Latin America (especially Mexico) may be required. This position is a one-year fixed term with possibility of renewal depending upon programmatic needs and funding availability.

CORE DUTIES:

• Assist in designing experiments, exercising independent initiative and judgment gained from completing a variety of high-level assignments, including activities such as defining variables, formulating hypotheses, and selecting subjects, sources of information, or planning and coordinating experimental protocols.
• Adapt or work out the details of new, nonstandard procedures, with the supervisor providing only general guidance and suggestions.
• Interpret, synthesize, and analyze data using scientific or statistical techniques.
• Solve problems and make decisions which affect the direction of the research and result in independent contributions to the overall project.
• Select and apply standard calculations and formulas independently to compile data or process documents; often serve as a resource for research methods and numerical analyses.
• Co-author sections of research publications and regulatory reports as needed.
• Complete project-related administrative and budgetary responsibilities of a limited scope as needed.
• Supervise staff or students as needed, including oversight and instruction on techniques, as well as consultation on project work.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

Bachelor of Arts degree in an applicable social science related field and two years applicable experience, or combination of education and relevant experience in an applicable social science.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Spanish language skills strongly desired.