Staff Assistant III

Staff Assistant III Full-time Work Format: Fully On-Site Harvard Job Function: General Administration Union: 55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers Salary Grade: 053 Department: Social Sciences - Weatherhead Center for International Affairs FLSA Status: Non-exempt Company Description By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive. Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences? The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience. Job Description Job Summary: The Weatherhead Center for International Affairs facilitates the production of pathbreaking social science research on international, comparative, transnational, and global issues. Our community of scholars consists of over 400 affiliates from multiple social science disciplines and includes both Harvard faculty and students drawing from ten of Harvard’s schools as well as visitors to Harvard from all over the world. We house several dynamic research programs, initiatives, and clusters; host conferences, seminars, and workshops; and provide competitive fellowships to global scholars and research funding to Harvard faculty and students. This position is responsible for many of the day-to-day administrative functions that are in line with the research and teaching missions of the Program on US-Japan Relations. Job-Specific Responsibilities: Working closely with the Faculty Director and administrative leadership, the Staff Assistant supports the daily operations of the Program on U.S.-Japan Relations. This position combines program support, community building, and occasional research assistance, providing direct support to the Faculty Director while helping to advance the program’s academic, educational, and public outreach activities.

The role includes research on topics related to East Asia, including trade, international political economy, and foreign policy. Responsibilities include preparing background memoranda and literature reviews, collecting and analyzing data, producing graphs and other visualizations, and assisting with the preparation of presentations.

The Staff Assistant also manages logistical and administrative aspects of the program’s events, including seminars, workshops, conferences, and activities with Harvard undergraduate and graduate student groups. Responsibilities include coordinating speakers and participants, managing event logistics, and supporting successful program execution.

Additional responsibilities include serving as the primary point of contact for visitors and general inquiries, assisting with office operations, acting as the departmental IT liaison, and supporting the program’s website and social media communications.

Performs other duties as required. Occasional overtime required. Qualifications Basic Qualifications: Three or more years of administrative experience. Education beyond high school may count toward experience. Computer skills required. Additional Qualifications and Skills: Bachelor’s degree. Experience with Microsoft