Fellow Positions – Summer 2026 Cohort

Core responsibilities:

• Function as day-to-day project managers, conducting transformation projects from conceptualization through design and implementation
• Develop, introduce, and oversee performance management systems to enable government and service providers to better collaborate on service delivery
• Help governments match and analyze administrative data to measure population outcomes, understand cost-effectiveness, and form insights that can improve service delivery
• Facilitate meetings, trainings, and workshops to advance project work and build capacity; provide coaching to permanent government staff

This role accelerates progress on difficult social problems by improving how state and local governments function, creating more just and effective service systems in areas including child and family wellbeing, safety and justice, and homelessness and housing.

Required qualifications:

• At least three years of full-time professional work experience
• Strong project management capabilities—the ability to independently execute project tasks and meet key project deadlines
• Ability to navigate complex organizations, develop trust and credibility with stakeholders, and build strong relationships among diverse groups
• For some projects, ability to travel on a regular basis is required

Preferred qualifications:

• Graduate-level training in public policy, business, law, economics, social work, or related fields
• Sound analytical skills, with experience analyzing and using both quantitative and qualitative data to generate and communicate insights that drive impact
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly, efficiently, and with humility both verbally and in writing, including through slide decks, meeting facilitation, memos, delivery of trainings, and public speaking
• Passion for improving government performance and solving social problems

Compensation: This role is funded at an annual salary of $92,000 plus benefits. This position is a term appointment ending one year from date of hire, with the possibility of renewal. The role will receive a Harvard appointment as a Fellow.

The mission of the Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab is to accelerate progress on difficult social problems by improving how state and local governments across the country function. The team collaborates closely with government innovators in developing and testing ways to create more just and effective service systems.