Africa Practicum, Faculty Exchange, and Regional Learning Initiative Project Coordinator

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station . If business needs change, an individual employee's designation may be adjusted with a required minimum of ten (10) business days' notice unless employee conduct or safety issues necessitate otherwise at the discretion of management.

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Global Social Development Innovations ( GSDI) is a research center at the School of Social Work. GSDI's mission is to generate evidence to advance youth well-being, globally.

Our work focuses on youth development in the digital age using the positive youth development framework. The PYD framework recognizes that for young people to become healthy, productive and engaged, programs, practices, and policies must partner with young people to improve their assets, agency, contributions, and enabling environment. Additionally, we recognize that in order to effectively engage young people we must not focus on 'fixing' behaviors but rather, we must build the connection, confidence, character, contributions, and competence of all young people.

GSDI formulates its research around three core intervention areas and their intersections. These cores are youth economic security, youth workforce development, and youth financial inclusion. The Center's current initiatives span six countries in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana, India, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia. GSDI works with local partners to improve the economic and social welfare of children, youth, and their families globally.

We focus on community driven initiatives, which requires meaningful partnerships and collaboration with multiple stakeholders. GSDI has a cadre of local, national, and global research, implementation and funding partners. GSDI collaborates with faculty members affiliated with various UNC schools and departments, as well as other Universities globally. GSDI also prides itself as a training center for graduate students in social work and related disciplines. Last, GSDI houses a Data Hub, which serves as a nexus point for sharing and utilizing research data from GSDI and collaborating sites in Ghana, South Africa, India, and beyond.

GSDI seeks a highly organized, collaborative, and globally minded Project Coordinator to support the development of an innovative model for global research, student learning, interdisciplinary practicum education, faculty exchange, and South-South collaboration across Africa.
The initiative will begin in Kenya, where the Project Coordinator will work closely with the GSDI Director, the Kenya Children's and Women's Center ( KWCWC), and the United States International University-Africa ( USIU-Africa) to establish structured student practicum and experiential learning opportunities, faculty exchanges, and collaborative research activities. The position will support the development of research partnerships that connect academic scholarship with community-based practice and generate evidence relevant to the needs and priorities of children, women and families and communities.

The first phase will focus on establishing high-quality practicum opportunities for social work students at KWCW through the development of an interdisciplinary practicum model. The model will intentionally integrate research, evaluation, and knowledge generation with student learning and community engaged practice, creating opportunities to study implementation, document promising practices, assess program outcomes, and identify innovations that can inform social development practice.

The Project Coordinator will help establish the research, academic, programmatic, logistical, and partnership structures necessary to support student learning and faculty engagement in Kenya. Working with USIU-Africa, KWCWC, GSDI, and participating faculty, the role will help develop learning objectives, supervision structures, placement opportunities, faculty exchanges, and mechanisms for connecting academic learning with community-based practice and research.

The Project Coordinator will also support the GSDI faculty in the development and implementation of collaborative research activities. Responsibilities may include coordinating research projects and study activities; conducting literature reviews; supporting the development of research protocols and IRB submissions; coordinating data collection and management; monitoring project implementation; supporting qualitative and quantitative data analysis; contributing to research reports, manuscripts, presentations, and grant proposals; and facilitating dissemination of findings to academic, practitioner, policy, and community audiences. The position will also assist in identifying opportunities for faculty and student participation in ongoing and emerging research projects across partner institutions.

As the Kenya model develops, the initiative will expand to universities and community-based organizations in Zambia, Malawi, Ghana, and Rwanda, creating a regional network for interdisciplinary student learning, collaborative research, faculty engagement, and South-South knowledge exchange. The role will help identify common research priorities across participating countries and facilitate multi-country collaborations that examine shared social development challenges while recognizing the distinct cultural, institutional, and community contexts in which programs operate.
A central objective of the initiative is to create opportunities for African universities and community-based organizations to generate, exchange, and disseminate locally grounded evidence and practice knowledge. Rather than relying primarily on knowledge transferred from outside the region, the initiative will facilitate opportunities for African partners to learn directly from one another, study locally developed innovations, conduct collaborative research, and build an evidence base that can strengthen social development policy and practice within the region and contribute to the broader global knowledge base.

Master's or Bachelor's and 0-2 years' experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Degree in social work, public health, international development, education, global studies, public policy, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience coordinating projects, programs, student learning activities, research, or complex initiatives.
Excellent organizational and project management skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from a range of cultural, professional, institutional, and disciplinary backgrounds.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, institutions, and timelines.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
Ability to work independently while maintaining close communication with project leadership and partners.
Proficiency with productivity and collaboration platforms.

The Project Coordinator will play a central role in translating this vision into an operational and sustainable regional platform that integrates research, education, practice, and partnership. The position will serve as an important bridge among GSDI faculty, students, African university partners, community-based organizations, and other collaborators, helping ensure that research and educational activities are mutually beneficial, locally responsive, and capable of producing knowledge with relevance for both scholarship and practice. Preferred qualifications include:

Master's degree in social work, public health, international development, education, global studies, or a related field.
Experience with practicum education, experiential learning, international education, or student placements.
Experience working with universities and community-based organizations.
Experience working in Africa or with African institutions and organizations.
Experience coordinating international partnerships or exchanges.
Familiarity with interdisciplinary education and community-engaged learning.
Experience with research, program evaluation, implementation, or knowledge dissemination.
Experience preparing reports, presentations, practice briefs, or other knowledge products.
*Understanding of community-driven and locally led approaches to global social development.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.