HUMAN SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL (HSRC) VACANCIES

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HUMAN SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL (HSRC)
 

 
 
 
CHIEF RESEARCH SPECIALIST/ MANAGER
 
Details
Closing Date 2024/09/30
Reference Number HSR240802-1
Job Type Permanent
Job Title CHIEF RESEARCH SPECIALIST/ MANAGER
Business Area Development, Capable and Ethical State - DCES
Department DCES
Number of Positions 2
Workplace Type Hybrid
Location - Town / City Pretoria or Cape Town
Location – Province Gauteng, Western Cape
Location – Country South Africa
Minimum Education Level NQF 10 - PhD Degree or equivalent
Application Closing Date 30-Sep-2024
Job Category Education
 
Job Advert Summary
The Developmental, Capable and Ethical State (DCES) is a research division within the HSRC that employs a multi-disciplinary group of social scientists who conduct numerous empirical and policy-related studies.
 
The DCES division is looking to appoint a suitably qualified professional in the position of Chief Research Specialist. This position supports and assists the Divisional Executive and the Strategic Leads in implementing the five-year strategic plan of the HSRC. The Developmental, Capable and Ethical State (DCES) division conducts transdisciplinary, intersectional, policy and programme-relevant research. The two over-arching questions that guide the research interventions are:

• How to strengthen democracy through transparent governance, accountable leadership and reinvigorated public participation and civic engagement; and
• How to ensure sustainable development through peace, human and social security

A developmental, capable and ethical state is not possible without ensuring peace and sustainable security within South Africa and beyond its borders. In order to work towards a more socially cohesive citizenry and safer and resilient communities, it is necessary to focus on building a “better South Africa, a better Africa and a better world.”
 
Minimum Requirements

• A doctorate (PhD) in the social or economic sciences or related disciplines;
• An established research career, as evidenced by publications.
• At least six years’ experience post qualification coupled with 12 or more peer-reviewed publications, of which several to be international;
• Excellent writing skills necessary for publication in internationally accredited peer-reviewed academic journals, and for drafting briefing papers and reports;
• Record of raising funds for research. Applicants applying for the CRS/M position should have larger fundraising experience;
• An interest in one of the priority research areas of DCES will be an advantage;
• A sound grounding in research methods, especially quantitative approaches, will be a strong recommendation;
• The versatility to apply quantitative and qualitative methodologies to challenging subject matter across disciplinary boundaries will be advantageous
• Intellectual and personal integrity, imagination and drive;
• A strong user orientation, based on a commitment to social research that makes a difference;
• The ability and enthusiasm to engage as a team player in large-scale multidisciplinary research projects, to manage research teams, and to mentor and train team members.
• Communicate research findings through modalities like policy briefs;
• Publish in refereed journals;
• Build national and international research links; and
• Manage staff and build capacity within the division.

 
Duties & Responsibilities      

• Conducting high level scholarly research which meets the challenge of peer review, and has both strategic and policy relevance;
• Responding to requests for tenders and formulating grant applications;
• Managing research teams and large-scale, long-term research projects;
• Proposal writing to secure external funds;
• Mentor fellow employees and emerging researchers;
• Deliver high-quality results and reports to meet set budgets and deadlines;
• Network with major users and funders of social science research to understand their research needs;

 
Policy

• In delivering 'social science that makes a difference' in South Africa and the region, the Research Programmes of the Human Sciences Research Council initiate and undertake policy-oriented research projects and programmes from its offices in Cape Town, Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Pretoria. Its public-purpose mandate is set out in the Human Sciences Research Council Act No.17 of 2008.
• The HSRC aims to attract and retain high-calibre skills and human resources necessary to effectively execute both its mandate to conduct research and to support the strategic intent of the organisation.
• The HSRC is committed to accelerating the improvement in the proportion of South African Citizens who are black, female, or disabled towards achieving Equity goals.
• The HSRC reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Application from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.

 
PLEASE APPLY HERE
 
 
 
 
 

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CHIEF RESEARCH SPECIALIST
 
Details
Closing Date 2024/09/20
Reference Number HSR240821-2
Job Type Permanent
Job Title Chief Research Specialist
Business Area Public Health, Societies and Belonging - PHSB
Department PHSB
Number of Positions 3
Workplace Type Remote
Location - Town / City Pretoria and Cape Town
Location – Province Gauteng, Western Cape
Location – Country South Africa
Minimum Education Level NQF 10 - PhD Degree or equivalent
Application Closing Date 20-Sep-2024
Job Category Education
 
Job Advert Summary
The Public Health, Societies and Belonging research division within the HSRC employs a multi-disciplinary group of social scientists and public health specialists who conduct numerous empirical and policy-related studies each year, three-quarters of which are donor-funded.  The Public Health, Societies and Belonging division conducts transdisciplinary, intersectional, policy and programme-relevant research to improve health, well-being and promote a socially just and cohesive society.
 
PHSB has offices in Pretoria, Cape Town, Pietermaritzburg and Durban. The division seeks to appoint two Chief Research Specialists to join a dynamic team of researchers in the HSRC community. The incumbent will be based in one of the HSRC offices.
 
CHIEF RESEARCH SPECIALIST (Pretoria, Durban or Cape Town)
3 post-permanent
Reference: CRS PHSB 2024
 
The PHSB programme seeks to appoint a dynamic individual with either a Ph.D. in either Social Science, Public Health, Biostatistics or Epidemiology as well as 10 years of appropriate research experience. The vacancy is in the Identity and Belonging sub-unit, in Pretoria, or Cape Town and the appointment will be made in January 2025
 
Minimum Requirements

• A Doctorate in Social Sciences, Epidemiology, Biostatistics or Public Health with at least 10 years of experience in research;
• An established research career as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals or project reports (12+ publications);
• Strength in epidemiological research methods and design;
• Research experience in gender studies, GBV, mental health, tuberculosis and/or HIV, or NCDs;
• An interest in one of the priority research areas of PHSB will be an advantage
• A sound grounding in research methods, especially quantitative approaches, will be a strong recommendation;
• Intellectual and personal integrity, imagination, and drive;
• A strong user orientation, based on a commitment to addressing public health issues;
• The ability and enthusiasm to engage as a leader and team player in large-scale multi-disciplinary research, to lead and manage research teams, and to mentor and train their members;
• The versatility to apply quantitative and qualitative methodologies to challenging subject matter across disciplinary boundaries will be advantageous;
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment;
• Good communication and leadership skills; 
• An excellent networking and fundraising track record;
• Sound knowledge of quantitative data management and data analysis skills;
• Proficiency in or working experience with some of the following data software packages:  STATA, Epi Info, SPSS, Nvivo, AtlasTI or other relevant statistical packages;

 
Duties & Responsibilities

• The Chief Research Specialist will be expected to participate in all aspects of the research process as he/she works with staff on research projects. In addition to the responsibility to publish journal articles, a Chief Research Specialist will contribute to the sustainable growth of the PHSB Research Programme.
• Leading and conducting high level scholarly research using quantitative and qualitative methodologies which meet the challenge of peer review, and has both strategic and policy relevance;
• Networking with major users and funders of Public Health research to understand their research needs;
• Responding to calls for proposals and formulating grant applications;
• Delivering high-quality results and reports to budget and deadline;
• Communicating research findings in national and international conferences, publishing papers in refereed journals as well as publishing policy briefs and technical reports
• Building national and international research links;
• Liaise with stakeholders on issues regarding project and fieldwork;
• Support biomedical aspects of projects;
• Ability and willingness to mentor young researchers is also a key requirement;
• Contribute to all the Key Performance Areas and Key Performance Indicators of the HSC Research Programme.

 
Policy

• In delivering 'social science that makes a difference' in South Africa and the region, the Research Programmes of the Human Sciences Research Council initiate and undertake policy-oriented research projects and programmes from its offices in Cape Town, Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Pretoria. Its public-purpose mandate is set out in the Human Sciences Research Council Act No.17 of 2008.
• The HSRC aims to attract and retain high-calibre skills and human resources necessary to effectively execute both its mandate to conduct research and to support the strategic intent of the organisation.
• The HSRC is committed to accelerating the improvement in the proportion of South African Citizens who are black, female, or disabled towards achieving Equity goals.
• The HSRC reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Application from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.

 
PLEASE APPLY HERE

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RESEARCH DIRECTOR
 
Details
Closing Date 2024/09/20
Reference Number HSR240821-1
Job Type Permanent
Job Title Research Director
Business Area Africa Institute of South Africa - AISA
Department AISA
Number of Positions 1
Workplace Type Hybrid
Location - Town / City Pretoria
Location – Province Gauteng
Location – Country South Africa
Minimum Education Level NQF 10 - PhD Degree or equivalent
Application Closing Date 20-Sep-2024
Job Category Education
 
Job Advert Summary
The Africa Institute of South Africa in the HSRC wishes to appoint a suitable Research Director. AISA leads and coordinates the HSRC’s engagements in Africa. It, therefore, acts as a catalyst for research and implementation support across the continent.  AISA also undertakes basic, applied policy-relevant and comparative research. The Institute also seeks to build capacity and provide policy advice and implementation support to advance the HSRC’s own Africa Research Partnership and Collaboration Strategy as well as South Africa’s African Agenda, DSI’s Africa Strategy, SADC’s Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020-2030 (RISDP), the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the key frameworks of the United Nations (SDG’s, UNSCR 1325). It collaborates with a range of national, continental, and international governments, as well as multilateral institutions, research institutes, universities, and civil society organisations in order to achieve its objectives.
 
This appointment will be made on the 1st of January 2025
 
Minimum Requirements

• A Ph.D. degree in either the social sciences or humanities or a related field in a relevant subject pertinent to the study of Africa.
• An academic leader with a strong record of published research not less than 20 publications of which several must be international peer-reviewed journal articles
• Ten years of senior research leadership and people and business management experience of which 5 years should be on the Director or equivalent level, i.e., at the Associate professor or Professor level. 
• Fundraising and large-scale research project management.
• Good networking skills and experience in working with senior policymakers;
• Research interests and experience in working on the study of Africa;
• The versatility to apply qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies to challenging subject matter across disciplinary boundaries will be advantageous;
• Proficiency in or working experience with some of the following data software packages: STATA, Epi Info, SPSS, Nvivo, AtlasTI or other relevant statistical packages;
• A track record of experience in conducting large-scale comparative studies.
• Intellectual and personal integrity, imagination, and drive.
• The ability to lead multidisciplinary research teams.
• Ability to work well under pressure and deliver to tight deadlines; and
• Excellent computer literacy
• Fluency in more than one of the major languages spoken on the continent would be an additional commendation.

 
Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead, and manage the research activities of AISA in the context of the HSRC’s mission and strategic goals;
• Develop research proposals that are in line with the programme’s research agenda. This may include working with other units within both AISA and HSRC as well as collaborate with external researchers both within South Africa, in the rest of the African continent and elsewhere throughout the world;
• Write and publish research reports and publish research findings in accredited peer-reviewed international and local journals;
• Lead policy-related research, analyse data, interpret and report research findings and recommendations in high-level forums;
• Co-ordinate communication about research activities with members of the programme, the research team, the clients, and other stakeholders;
• Develop contacts and interact with policymakers outside the HSRC;
• Support the development of spatial information, its analysis and dissemination;
• Oversee the meeting of project deadlines together with the relevant project managers;
• Ensure adequate staffing of the institute, including ensuring that staff are supported, mentored and managed and that they act within the delegated authority parameters of the organisation; and
• Build and maintain high-performance teams and an appropriate culture within the area of responsibility to ensure the achievement of the institute and organisational targets.
• Ensure adherence to and compliance with applicable legislation/regulations/HSRC policies, procedures, and expectations of other regulatory and funding agencies;

 
 
Policy

• In delivering 'social science that makes a difference' in South Africa and the region, the Research Programmes of the Human Sciences Research Council initiate and undertake policy-oriented research projects and programmes from its offices in Cape Town, Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Pretoria. Its public-purpose mandate is set out in the Human Sciences Research Council Act No.17 of 2008.
• The HSRC aims to attract and retain high-calibre skills and human resources necessary to effectively execute both its mandate to conduct research and to support the strategic intent of the organisation.
• The HSRC is committed to accelerating the improvement in the proportion of South African Citizens who are black, female, or disabled towards achieving Equity goals.
• The HSRC reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Application from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.

 
PLEASE APPLY HERE

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