Emerging Leaders Program Facilitator

Job Summary

The Harvard Radcliffe Institute is currently seeking two ELP Facilitators for the Emerging Leaders Program. These positions are seasonal, running from September to May. However, there’s a possibility that they may transition into year-round regular roles.

The Emerging Leaders Program at Harvard Radcliffe Institute engages young leaders to learn from those on the forefront of social change, historically and today, as they develop the skills to become change makers in their own communities.

In our current programming, we partner local high school sophomores with current Harvard undergraduates in a mentoring relationship. Together, mentees and mentors challenge limited conceptions of who can be a leader as they build critical skills to drive positive change. Drawing on Radcliffe’s history—and the vast holdings of the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America—the ELP curriculum focuses on the intersection of identity and leadership, examples of social change past and present, and the practical skills necessary for community and civic engagement. ELP empowers those who might not traditionally see themselves as leaders to build the skills and confidence to drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond.  

Reporting to the Director of the Emerging Leaders Program, the ELP Facilitators support the development and delivery of the Emerging Leaders Program offerings. The ELP Facilitators’ responsibilities fall into two main categories:

1) facilitating ELP sessions, both in-person on Radcliffe’s campus and remotely via Zoom.

2) supporting ongoing program and departmental development, including but not limited to, curriculum development; mentor recruitment, training, and support; supplemental mentee and mentor campus engagements; meetings and presentations with current and potential partner high schools and other community partners; and program administration.  

Position Description

• Develops and refines ELP program curriculum in collaboration with ELP and HRI staff.  
• Facilitates ELP program sessions (spring sessions currently occur four days per week in the late afternoon/early evening, each with approximately 25 mentees and 10-13 mentors; other season facilitation schedules will be determined as needed) 
• Collaborates with ELP facilitators and ELP Program Administrator to ensure best practices in content delivery and different modalities of facilitation to support high engagement from ELP participants.  
• Debriefs with other ELP staff after each session to determine any modifications to subsequent sessions. Maintains accurate attendance records for all ELP participants and creates appropriate strategies and plans for participants to make up content for any missed sessions. 
• Collaborates with ELP staff, contractors, and HRI colleagues to support development and posting of online program materials for mentors and mentees. 
• Co-designs evaluation surveys for participants, partner schools and organizations, and other facilitators to gather feedback and assess program periodically. 
• Collaborates with Schlesinger Library-designated staff to incorporate materials from the Schlesinger archives into program curriculum and develop mechanisms for content delivery.  
• Maintains excellent working relationships and effective communication with staff across the Institute, partner schools, and other organizations, as relevant. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. 
• Three years’ relevant experience including teaching, facilitating, or conducting workshops with adolescents and young adults. 

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Experience facilitating workshops with young people
• Track record of interfacing successfully with youth and young adults. 
• Demonstrated commitment to public service, youth, student, and/or community engagement, and experience building strong partnerships with student and/or community groups. 
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Demonstrated strong analytical, writing, and communication skills. Proven ability to multi-task, plan, and execute complex projects, collaborate effectively, adjust and revise plans as needed, and take initiative and work independently. 
• Passion for/commitment to connecting with, inspiring, and supporting young people on the topics of youth leadership and social change. 
• Proficient with standard workplace technology platforms including but not limited to the following Microsoft applications (and their Google equivalents, if applicable): Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Forms, and Teams. Must demonstrate aptitude to learn new technology quickly.
• Flexibility to adapt to new programming in early stages of development, and excitement around being a thought partner in new initiatives.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Graduate studies or professional experience related to youth and student engagement, civic engagement, social justice, work with historically marginalized communities, and equity and opportunity preferred. 
• Experience with curriculum development strongly preferred. 
• Familiarity with online educational platforms, including but not limited to Google Classroom, preferred.  
• Familiarity with basic design applications (e.g. Canva) preferred. 

Physical Requirements

• Employee must have the ability to facilitate a two-hour workshop in a classroom setting. Standing, sitting, talking, hearing, focusing for considerable lengths of time is required
• The employee is occasionally lift or move up to 40 pounds.

Working Conditions

• This job is performed primarily in a temperature-controlled office environment, with the possibility of occasional program activities taking place outside. 
• Must be able to work late evenings, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM to support evening sessions.
• Frequent movement between campus buildings will be required to provide support to our community.
• Support outside of regularly scheduled hours, including weekends, will occasionally be required