Log on to JACK to make career coaching appointments, search for jobs, receive tailored job opportunities, learn about upcoming workshops and employer events, and access a library of career resources for HKS alumni.
Assess, strategize, advance
The HKS Office of Career Advancement (OCA) supports HKS alumni at every turn of their career journey.
If you are considering a career change or are exploring options, the OCA team is here to help you. OCA continues to be your central resource for career support—well after you graduate. Work with one of our dedicated career coaches, refine your resume and interview skills, and tap into the global HKS community to grow your network.
Navigating through times of change
As Dean Jeremy Weinstein wrote in his February 27, 2025 message to the HKS community, the actions taken by the United States government in recent weeks have directly impacted members of our community, including many in our alumni community who work as public servants.
The OCA team is doubling-down on supporting our HKS alumni community during this time of consequential change. Consider this page among your career development go-to resources.
This page will be updated regularly to share relevant job search tools and platforms, employer-related programming, alumni-focused webinars to support your job search, online professional development opportunities, and other ways to make valuable alumni-to-alumni ties.
Stay connected to HKS and each other. In addition to signing up for upcoming career events for HKS alumni, learn what our faculty members are saying about the Trump Administration’s policy implications, register or update your contact information with the Harvard Alumni Association, and take full advantage of the job search tools available to you.
Upcoming career events for HKS alumni
45-minute individual advising sessions for HKS alumni directly affected by changes in the U.S. federal government
Registration has closed. If you are already signed up but can no longer make your session, please email career_advancement@hks.harvard.edu to free up advisors’ availability to meet with other HKS alumni.
Join us Tuesday, March 25, 12 p.m. for a virtual hands-on tour of JACK, HKS’s job bank and career management system. Whether you’re on the job hunt or seeking to boost your professional skills, JACK is packed with resources designed just for HKS alumni.
Institute of Public Finance Briefing
March 26, 10:30 a.m. Register >>
The Institute of Public Finance (IPF) is an independent, non-partisan, and non-religious think tank dedicated to advancing public participation, transparency, accountability (TAP), efficiency, and equity in public finance management (PFM). Through rigorous research, capacity building, and the development of practical tools and knowledge, IPF works to enhance fiscal governance and ensure that public resources drive sustainable development and improved service delivery at both the national and county levels.
Timothy Kiprono, Program Associate and Ruth Kendagor, Head of Research (along with a few other colleagues) will be presenting about summer internships, part-time and contract work, and post-grad fellowships. Positions are in Kenya, with a few others being global. Employees can work a hybrid schedule, but there is a preference for in-person work. All are welcome to apply.
IPF is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across all levels of our work. As part of our core values, our approach to DEI includes both structured programs and a culture that prioritizes inclusivity in governance, leadership, and day-to-day operations.
Open Capital Briefing Register >>
April 15, 10:15 a.m.
Open Capital aims to transform Africa by advancing African economies and building future generations of business leaders. We are advisors to the most innovative businesses, investors, and donors to drive growth on the continent, structure and invest capital, and enable inclusive, market-based solutions. We’re proud of what we’ve built – since we founded Open Capital in 2010, we have completed 1,600+ engagements across 30 countries in Africa. Our clients have transformed local industries in agribusiness, energy access, financial services, healthcare, and water & sanitation, among others. We have closed $1.5 billion in capital raises in Africa and are now leading design for a new generation of market-building mechanisms, including new investment vehicles, market accelerators, and more.
Marion Githiri, Recruiting and People Operations Senior Associate will be presenting along with a few colleagues.
Post-grad, full-time positions only. Those hired are expected to move to Africa and the role is hybrid. Positions in Nairobi, Kampala, Lusaka, Accra, Lagos, Dakar & Abidjan. We are open to all nationalities across our offices, but we only sponsor work permits for Kenya, Kampala, and Zambia.
Job search tools
Use your HarvardKey to log on to our Jobs and Careers for Harvard Kennedy School (JACK) platform, where—after signing up—you can make career coaching appointments, search for jobs, receive tailored job opportunities, learn about upcoming workshops and employer events, and access a library of career resources for HKS alumni. Under the “Employers” tab, search more than 8,000 organizations that have hiring or other professional relationships with HKS.
To schedule a one-on-one career coaching session:
- Log on to JACK using your HarvardKey
- Select “Career Coaching” on the top menu bar
- Select “Schedule a Career Coaching Appointment,” scroll down, and “Check Availability” (without using filters) to see career coaches’ availability
Send your JACK-related questions to oca@hks.harvard.edu.
Connect with +37,000 HKS alumni on LinkedIn, under the Harvard Kennedy School’s “Alumni” tab, where you can access high-level insight into your fellow graduates’ professional profiles and careers.
The Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government (Official) LinkedIn group is another opportunity for HKS community members—alumni, faculty, current staff, and others—to connect. List your HKS degree program on your LinkedIn profile first before requesting to join this group.
As an HKS graduate, you know the importance of being a lifelong learner—there is important work to do in the months and years ahead. Consider coming back to HKS by enrolling in our Executive Education programs led by full-time Harvard faculty members who design courses that engage and challenge participants in every aspect of public leadership, from strategic management and performance measurement to communication and negotiation.
You receive a 30 percent tuition discount on all open-enrollment Executive Education programs.
Jobs and Careers for Harvard Kennedy School (JACK)