Program Administrator II

Position Summary:

The Program Administrator II will support SSPEED Center programs and research-development activities focused on nature-based solutions, environmental resilience, water, and related initiatives.

The position will provide analytical and program support across research, proposal development, partner coordination, and program activities. Responsibilities include conducting literature and policy research, analyzing and synthesizing technical and program information, identifying potential funding opportunities, contributing to research reports and proposal content, coordinating with project partners, and supporting SSPEED Center initiatives in carbon markets and water-related research.

Special Instructions to Applicants: 

All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate will combine strong analytical, research, and communication skills with an interest in environmental resilience, policy, and research development. They will be able to synthesize technical and policy information, support proposal development, coordinate effectively with internal and external partners, and contribute across multiple SSPEED Center research and program initiatives.

Workplace Location: 

This position is a full-time on-campus position, necessitating all duties to be performed in person at Rice University Campus. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: 60,000 annually

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime. 

This is a one-year, full-time, benefits-eligible position funded by grant, soft and/or restricted funds, and may be renewed based on continued funding availability, research needs, and performance.

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s Degree
• One or more (1+) years experience in program administration or related field
  • In lieu of experience requirement, additional related education above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year=for-year basis. 

Skills: 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Research and data-analysis skills
• Ability to synthesize technical, policy, and program information
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Attention to detail
• Ability to develop and maintain program partnerships
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office or comparable productivity tools

Preferences

• Experience supporting research development, grant proposals, or externally funded initiatives
• Experience conducting literature, policy, regulatory, or market research
• Experience synthesizing scientific, technical, or policy information into reports, proposals, or decision-support materials
• Experience coordinating work with academic, public-sector, nonprofit, private-sector, or community partners
• Experience performing quantitative analysis or interpreting research data
• Experience supporting internationally focused projects or partnerships
• Spanish-language proficiency strongly preferred 

Essential Functions:

• Supports the daily operations and advancement of assigned SSPEED Center programs and initiatives.
• Conducts literature, policy, market, and other research to support program and research-development activities.
• Collects, analyzes, and synthesizes technical, policy, program, and project information.
• Prepares research summaries, reports, presentations, and other program materials.
• Identifies potential funding opportunities and gathers information needed to evaluate alignment with SSPEED Center initiatives.
• Drafts and contributes to proposal narratives, supporting materials, and other research-development content.
• Supports preparation and coordination of information used in proposal budgets and related planning.
• Supports research and analysis related to nature-based solutions, carbon-credit initiatives, and carbon-credit protocol development.
• Analyzes relevant policy and program considerations affecting international projects and partnerships.
• Coordinates with external and internal project partners and supports ongoing program communications.
• Provides analytical and research support for the Water Intelligence Engine and related SSPEED Center initiatives, including literature review and data analysis.
• Supports SSPEED Center events, meetings, presentations, and other program activities.
• Develops reports and other materials communicating program findings, progress, and recommendations.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
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Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at [email protected] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [email protected] . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.