Careers

Founded in 2017, the Boston University Global Development Policy Center’s mission is to advance policy-oriented research for financial stability, human well-being and environmental sustainability.

To fulfill our mission, we conduct rigorous policy research; provide a convening place for scholars and stakeholders; engage in policy dialogue with policymakers, civil society and media; and offer experiential learning for Boston University students. The GDP Center strives to not only be a think tank, but also a do tank. Come work with us.

Current Openings

COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH ASSOCIATE, Global China Initiative

The Boston University Global Development Policy (GDP) Center seeks a Communications and Outreach Associate to assist in monitoring and executing communications strategies across media relations, digital media, email marketing and stakeholder outreach for its Global China Initiative (GCI).

The GDP Center is a University-wide research center that works to advance policy-oriented research for financial stability, human well-being and environmental sustainability. To fulfill that mission, we conduct rigorous policy research; provide a convening place for scholars and stakeholders; engage in policy dialogue with policymakers, civil society and reporters; and offer experiential learning for Boston University students.

GCI examines the extent to which Chinese overseas economic activity and engagement with international institutions fosters a more stable, socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable world economy. GCI has three research programs: Energy and Climate; Forestry, Agriculture and Indigenous Rights in the Belt and Road Initiative; and China and the International Economic Order. GCI also manages a suite of five interactive public databases that collectively track hundreds of billions of dollars in Chinese loans and investment to a variety of sectors, including energy and infrastructure development.

The Communications and Outreach Associate will work with the Assistant Director for Communications and Outreach and the Assistant Director for GCI to:

Develop strategies and outreach plans for English and Chinese language audiences for GCI research products, webinars, commentary and database updates;
Monitor and track media coverage for GCI projects and curate press lists;
Support management of English and Chinese social media accounts, including drafting and scheduling posts;
Craft engaging emails to subscribers in English and Chinese;
Design/support creation of multimedia, such as infographics, social media flyers and videos in English and Chinese.
Draft summary blog posts in English and Chinese;
Update the English and Chinese versions of the website to add new publications and events;
Conduct promotional outreach and craft outreach strategies for relevant stakeholders, including Chinese-language policymakers and audiences;
Serve as key conduit for sharing research and information with Chinese partners and target audiences;
Monitor Chinese policy dates and events, identify potential policy points of entry for research and experts;
Organize logistics of on-campus events and meetings under supervision;
Organize events and workshops in China and elsewhere under supervision;
Coordinate with external partners on joint events and initiatives;
Manage the translation process for GCI publications and review Chinese language translations for quality control.

Desired skills

Fluency in Chinese and strong proficiency in English are required;
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, PR or related field; Master’s degree preferred;
Ability to complete assigned projects and tasks independently;
Understanding of current events and politics;
Strong writing and editing skills;
Basic experience and interest working in research/policy-oriented communications;
Experience using WordPress to update websites;
Experience handling professional social media accounts, including Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Weibo, BiliBili and WeChat;
Experience with email marketing systems such as Hubspot, Mailchimp, etc.;
Experience working with Cision or comparable media relations software or desire to learn;
Interest in global development policy and topics such as China, global economic governance, energy, climate, biodiversity and international finance;
Experience conducting outreach to policymakers, especially in China;
Familiarity with Microsoft Office, InDesign, Adobe Suite, Outlook 365, and online meeting technology.

This position is based in Boston, MA and available for hybrid work with approval.

Apply

POLICY LIAISON, Global Economic Governance Initiative

The Boston University Global Development Policy (GDP) Center seeks a Policy Liaison to support the work of its Global Economic Governance Initiative (GEGI), which works to produce policy-oriented research to align global economic governance with development and climate ambitions to deliver green and inclusive prosperity. The Center is seeking a highly motivated leader to guide short and long-term policy strategy planning in collaboration with center leadership, researchers, communications, other policy colleagues, and our partners across the global South.The GDP Center is a policy-oriented research center working to advance financial stability, human well-being and environmental sustainability across the globe. GEGI’s work focuses on achieving financial stability, strengthening development finance and calibrating trade and investment rules for sustainable development. Its ultimate objective is a development-centered international economic order where institutions align their missions to reflect green and inclusive development; reform their governance to address global asymmetries; and increase accountable resources to secure development goals.The Policy Liaison will play an instrumental role in connecting GEGI research to tangible policy change. The Policy Liaison will build a network of key contacts across civil society, research centers and global economic governance institutions to enhance, promote and represent GEGI’s work. The Policy Liaison will identify important policy moments and opportunities and advise the research and communications teams on engaging with audiences.

Responsibilities:

- - Lead and guide short and long-term policy strategy planning in collaboration with center leadership, researchers, communications, and other policy colleagues.
  - Translate technical research into policy proposals and accessible briefs, blog posts, op-eds and other written material for a wider policy and civil society audience. Identify critical decision-makers for policy objectives and work with the leadership and the Communications team to develop outreach plans and products for policy audiences.
  - Coordinate networking effort among policymakers, advocates, and social movements, and cross-fertilize across national efforts. Arrange and facilitate meetings and briefings to disseminate GEGI research and policy outputs.
  - Closely track relevant policy discussions and identify opportunities for engagement.
  - Collaborate closely with the Research and Communications teams to devise and advance narratives on aligning global economic governance with development and climate ambitions. Identify key policy points of entry for GEGI research and integrate into short and long-term initiative-wide research and communications planning.
  - Create and maintain broad mapping of relevant actors across the policy spectrum and develop approaches for engagement.
  - Conduct political risk analyses as necessary.
  - Support and contribute to GEGI research and commentary outputs.
  - Represent GEGI in key global official and advocacy meetings related to core areas of work including international trade, development finance institutions, and just transition.
  - Supervise student assistants as required.

Required skills:

- - Master’s degree in international affairs, development studies, public policy or equivalent;
  - Knowledge and experience working on issues of global economic governance, like trade and investment rules, development finance institutions, financial stability topics such as debt distress. Expertise in one of these areas is desirable but must be a quick learner to rapidly acquire fluency on the key policy debates related to GEGI thematic areas;
  - Exceptional ability to build relationships, forge connections and work with a broad range of actors around the globe;
  - Ability to write quickly and effectively on a range of global economic governance topics;
  - Demonstrated experience in working with public officials, researchers and civil society members to advance policy change;
  - A sound understanding of climate change is an asset;
  - Experience working with an international, multi-cultural team.

This position is based in Boston, MA and available for remote or hybrid work with approval.

Please note all newly hired staff and faculty, will need to be in compliance with Boston University’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption (instructions). For further information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please visit the Back2BU site.

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

Apply

GLOBAL CHINA FELLOWS PROGRAM, Global China Initiative

The Boston University Global Development Policy Center (GDP Center) sponsors the Global China Fellows Program as part of its Global China Initiative (GCI), recruiting and supporting pre- and post-doctoral fellows from around the world to engage in policy-oriented research and commentary on China’s role in shaping global affairs. In addition to receiving support for their own research, fellows contribute to GCI research projects, public research seminars and policy engagement.

GCI research examines the extent to which Chinese overseas economic activity fosters a more stable, socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable world economy. Fellows can contribute to research in GCI’s four areas of focus: Data Analysis for Transparency and Accountability (D.A.T.A.), Energy and Climate; Forests, Agriculture, Indigenous Rights and the BRI (FAIR-BRI); and China and the International Economic Order.

Applicant qualifications include:

- Enrolled in or recently graduated from a PhD program in the social sciences or natural sciences, engineering, or business;
- Strong research interest and experience in one or more of the GCI areas of focus.

In addition, the following qualifications are preferred:

- Methodological expertise in one or more of the following areas: GIS and spatial methods, qualitative research methods, statistical and econometric analysis and economic modeling;
- Fieldwork experience in priority geographical regions of interest, including China, Indonesia, Latin America and southern Africa;
- Fluency in Chinese or a language from one of the above regions.

Applications are currently open for the 2023-2024 academic year. Fellows will receive a competitive stipend and modest funding for expenses such as fieldwork, conference travel and relocation.

Interested applicants should send the following to Dr. Cecilia Springer (chspring@bu.edu) by December 16, 2022:

1. A cover letter that demonstrates interest and experience in GCI-related research.
2. A current curriculum vitae.
3. Contact information for two references.
4. For International candidates: International candidates will need express approval from their sponsoring institution stating that the potential fellow is allowed to earn income from another institution. This is especially important for international students with J-1 visas. Note: If you do not currently have a valid US scholar visa, certain research positions at BU qualify for immigration sponsorship. Prospective scholars should first establish their potential affiliation with the GDP Center as a pre- or post-doctoral fellow and clarify the terms of their appointment. BU’s International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) will work with the prospective scholar and the GDP Center to evaluate which immigration classification is most appropriate. The ISSO will consider various factors such as the appointment/affiliation terms, the scholar’s educational achievements, and US immigration history.

GLOBAL ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE FELLOWS PROGRAM, Global Economic Governance Initiative

The Boston University Global Development Policy Center seeks Pre- and Post-doctoral applicants for our Global Economic Governance Fellows Program.

The Global Economic Governance Initiative (GEGI) was founded in 2008 to advance policy-relevant research on international financial, trade and development institutions created in the aftermath of World War II that continue to play a leading role in global economic governance. Within GEGI, research is conducted across three thematic programs: development finance, financial stability and trade and investment rules. GEGI also focuses on emerging and cross-cutting challenges such as just transitions, the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath and climate change. The initiative hosts flagship programs such as the Working Group on Trade Treaties and Access to Medicines and the Task Force on Climate, Development and the International Monetary Fund.

Fellows are expected to conduct independent research and contribute to ongoing efforts in one of three priority areas:

Aligning public finance with climate and development goals, with a special focus in South and Southeast Asia
The role of regional financial arrangements as supplements or substitutes for the global economic order;
The role of developmental financial institutions in financing just transitions and clean energy in developing countries.

In addition to receiving support for dissertation and post-dissertation work, fellows will participate in GEGI’s research projects, seminar series and policy engagement.

Desired qualifications:

Enrolled in or graduated from a PhD program. The GDP Center will accept applications from all disciplines, especially the natural and social sciences, engineering and business.
Strong research interest in one or more of the GEGI areas of focus.
Quantitative and/or qualitative methodological expertise, specifically with Excel and Tableau

The majority of the fellowships will be awarded for the 2023-2024 academic year. Fellows will receive a competitive stipend and modest funding for data collection and/or fieldwork and potentially be eligible for reimbursement for relocation expenses. Fellows will be expected to be in-person at the GDP Center’s offices at Boston University.

To apply:

Interested applicants should send the following to Mridhu Khanna (khannam@bu.edu) with the subject line “<<Name>> GEGI Fellow Application 2023-2024″ by January 15, 2023:

A cover letter that demonstrates interest and experience in GEGI-related research.
A current curriculum vitae.
Contact information for two references.
For International candidates: International candidates will need express approval from their sponsoring institution stating that the potential fellow is allowed to earn income from another institution. This is especially important for international students with J-1 visas. Note: If you do not currently have a valid US scholar visa, certain research positions at Boston University qualify for immigration sponsorship. Prospective scholars should first establish their potential affiliation with the GDP Center as a pre- or post-doctoral fellow and clarify the terms of their appointment. BU’s International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) will work with the prospective scholar and the GDP Center to evaluate which immigration classification is most appropriate. The ISSO will consider various factors such as the appointment/affiliation terms, the scholar’s educational achievements and US immigration history.

Last updated: November 10, 2022