Project Coordinator

Department : Kellogg GPRL

Salary / Grade : EXS / 5

Job Summary

Who we are (focus of the lab’s work) :

At the Global Poverty Research Lab (GPRL) a research center based at Northwestern University we generate empirical evidence on the effectiveness of policies and programs to help people throughout the world improve their standard of living.

Our projects examine the interaction between poverty and topics such as finance, entrepreneurship, education, gender, agriculture, health, and the environment.

Our Team :

GPRL is co-directed by Dean Karlan and Christopher Udry, who are professors at the Kellogg School of Management and the Weinberg School of Arts and Sciences’ economics department at Northwestern University respectively.

We also have 15 faculty affiliates from across the university. Our staff, includes administrative support staff and research support staff research managers and research analysts who support faculty projects.

This Position :

Under direction from the Director, the Project Coordinator plays a critical role in executing the administrative support functions of the lab.

The Project Coordinator is responsible for accounting, purchasing, event planning, maintaining the Lab website, facility requests, and other administrative projects and tasks as needed.

Specific Responsibilities :

Administration

• Oversees day to day operations of the lab, ensuring that they are appropriately managed, efficient, and effective
• Maintains office space and responds to needs accordingly (e.g. contacts Facilities for temperature or cleaning issues, orders water & office supplies, etc.

Communicate with staff, Facilities, or vendors about issues and escalate as appropriate. Oversees maintenance projects in coordination with Facilities Management (e.

g. painting, assembly of office equipment, etc.).

• Ensures that program / project mission, values, guidelines, policies & procedures are implemented & maintained.
• Reviews processes and recommends changes to incorporate state-of-the-art technology as appropriate into administrative, recruitment, marketing, and educational components.
• Identifies service improvement opportunities that will better enable program / project to achieve its goals and objectives.
• Acts as liaison to IT to ensure technology systems are properly installed & maintained.
• Maintains GPRL shared email account, calendar, website, and social media accounts.
• Coordinates monthly staff meetings.
• Identifies service improvement opportunities that will better enable program / project to achieve its goals and objectives.
• Arranges travel for GPRL funded trips.
• Posts working papers to GPRL website and others as requested.
• Responds to unanticipated & complex issues.
• Supports staff and / or academic searches.
• Processes temporary appointments.

Budgets & Financial

• Enters individual & / or summary transactions using NU enterprise system.
• Reviews : ensures approval based on alternatives regarding practice & policy; analyzes and classifies transactions in accordance with established chart or coding of accounts;

creates new accounts; prepares, processes, reconciles & provides receipts (as appropriate) for transactions.

• Processes transfer & / or appropriation charges & may balance & / or close accounts.
• Troubleshoots problems; performs vendor / account research as needed; obtains additional information or provides instruction & guidance by phone, US- or e- mail from customers / vendors; corrects or escalates.
• Responsible for purchasing office supplies and equipment including researching options, making purchasing recommendations to fit the lab's needs and budget, initiating the transactions, and ensuring contract requirements are met.
• Processes expense reimbursements.
• Review financial transactions; ensure compliance with practice & policy; analyze and classifies transactions in accordance with established chart or coding of accounts.
• Troubleshoots problems; performs vendor / account research as needed; obtains additional information or provides instruction & guidance customers / vendors;

corrects or escalates as appropriate.

Events

• Coordinates programming, educational, student, workshops, meetings, etc. including speakers, agendas, etc.
• Develops plans and arranges meetings, workshops, events, etc. designed to exchange information, promote research objectives, and to build internal and external relationships within NU.
• Ensures that event details including communication, venues, presenters, travel arrangements, materials, refreshments and technology are arranged and completed in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications : (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree;

OR appropriate combination of education and experience.

1 year program / project administration or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies : (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

Skills : teamwork, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and problem solving.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $55,000 $65,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits :

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness :

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior / adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development :

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more .

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness.

More information can be found on the webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations.

We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.