COMMISSION FOR CONCILIATION, MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION (CCMA) - SENIOR RESEARCHER

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Purpose
The Senior Researcher will serve a two tiered function; firstly the function shall support the Researchers in the proactive analysis of prominent indicators in the labour market, the development of pre-emptive labour market monitoring tools, the running of forecast analysis or predictive modelling, the development of sampling designs, the development of research tools, running with each project’s data collection and analysis aspects, the compilation of sound research reports, proposals, service level agreements and presentations. Secondly, the function shall provide specialized labour law advice and support to the CCMA as well as its stakeholders on critical matters affecting the CCMA’s operations or the labour market.
 
Key Performance Areas:-
Support function:
• Providing and fulfilling a support function to the Manager: Business Research Intelligence & Communications Unit in terms of all Research related projects and governance related reports (EXCO reports, Quarterly reports, Work plans, etc.).
• Overseeing the administration and finalisation of all research projects ensuring the timely finalisation thereof.
• Supervising and advising on the methodology to be utilised in research projects.
• Supervising the collection of quantitative and qualitative data across all research projects.
• Making sound contributions (material and formatting) to research TORs/ proposals and the research reports before they are submitted to the Manager for final vetting.
• Communicating any challenges to the Manager in a timely manner.
• Attending project briefing sessions and stakeholder engagements, as and when required
• Overseeing, along with the Manager, the Unit’s social partner engagements (Professional body membership, networking, conference attendance).
• Ensuring that operations/projects are kept within acceptable budget variances. This also leads to the Senior Researcher’s responsibility running the requisite requisitions and updating the Unit’s invoice tracker to avoid irregular or fruitless expenditures.
• Ensuring that the Unit has the up to date software, subscriptions, and contracts to ensure the effective
delivery to the CCMA mandate.
• Developing and revising all standard operating procedures, strategies and policies for the research function.
• Provision of timely and error-free deliverables (reports, dashboards, policies etc.) to the Manager.
• Abide by the CCMA ‘s policies and SOPS as well as those that govern the Unit’s operation and reporting
• Ensure the operational running off all research projects and that all deadlines are reached.
• Administering consequence management, where necessary, in response to any performance gaps noted within the team, with the advice of the Manager and the Human Resources Unit.
 
Research function: –
• Collating all organasitional research needs and the development of the Unit’s APP/DOP plans for the Manager’s
consideration
• Summarizing and explaining research findings and their implications for presentation to internal stakeholders
• Preparing findings for publication in the identified research journals
• Conceptualisation & Development of predictive models
• Clean & analyse CCMA caseload data (CMS Statistics) for the purposes of internal analytics.
• Oversee the economic research projects conducted by Researchers in order to formulate trends and economic forecast models.
• Monitor the labour market to produce, update & circulate labour market indicators/barometers/monitors.
• Running with benchmarking best practice models/frameworks/indicators/meetings
• Conducting a number of research studies as is required internally and as per the organisation’s MOUs.
• Independently and/or collectively conducting research studies (Proposal drafting, Development of research tools, Sampling, Data collection, Data analysis, Report writing, Presentation of findings, etc.).
• Administering regional awareness campaigns.
Labour law function: –
• Providing public awareness regarding new legislation/any amendments made to legislation.
• Conducting legalistic research aimed at keeping our fulltime/part-time Commissioners and external stakeholders abreast of the latest legal developments.
• Other tasks that a Senior Researcher should be able to perform.
 
PLEASE NOTE: Photocopies of TWO research publications/reports need to be emailed to H.R once you have been shortlisted.
The submissions should demonstrate the candidate’s ability to conduct qualitative/quantitative research and economic proficiency or qualitative/quantitative research and labour law. ONLY shortlisted candidates will be requested to submit these in preparation for their interview and will be required to make a presentation on the day of the interview.
 
Key Requirements: –
• A degree OR postgraduate qualification specializing in Research Methodology/Statistics/ Economics/Econometrics (Masters degree would be advantageous)
• A minimum of 5 years’ applied research experience either in private sector research or public sector research. (Not theoretical knowledge, you must have worked actively in research studies).
• 1 year exposure in the labour law field
• An understanding of the Treasury requirements that public sector entities need to abide by
• A thorough understanding of the CCMA’s functions and its purpose.
• Knowledge and proven expertise of research practices, protocols and methodologies.
• Presentation and communication skills.
• Proven report writing skills demonstrated by delivery of high-quality results, recommendations and reports.
 
Technical Competencies:-
• Computer Literacy
• Knowledge of quantitative & qualitative research methodology (research design, sampling, designing research tools)
• Knowledge of database management techniques and predictive modelling strategies
• Sound knowledge of Statistical tests (validity tests, reliability tests, Anovas etc.)
• Knowledge of SPSS/STATA/ ATLAS t.i/POWER BI
• Knowledge of the South African labour market
• Knowledge of the CCMA’s processes and its functions
• Knowledge of the PFMA and other regulations governing a public entity
• Knowledge of all applicable Labour legislation (e.g. LRA, BCEA, EE, SD, etc.)
 
Behavioural Competencies:-
• Trustworthy, Honest, Accountable, Punctual and Loyal
• Ability to take and follow instructions well (abiding by procedures, policy and relevant RU protocols)
• An analytical mind with a meticulous (attention to detail) attribute
• Innovative, Proactive, Self-motivated/Driven
• Resilient
• Problem solving and solution-orientated
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision
• Exceptional time management & prioritisation skills
• Project management skills
• Maturity (Emotional Intelligence)
• Contributes to the cohesion and teamwork philosophy in the Unit
• Ability to work under deadline-driven (high pressure) environments typical to research environments.
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< /div> ​ Closing date: 11 July 2022   To respond in confidence, please send your detailed CV, certified copy of your qualifications, and a covering letter disclosing information that will assist the panel in considering your application to: [email protected]    “When responding to the advert please ensure that the position reference Ref: SRNO07-22 is quoted first on the subject line, as is. And that the application is sent to the email address contained herein. Failure to observe this protocol may result in your application being disqualified”   If we have not responded within a Month from the closing date, you should regard your application as unsuccessful. Correspondence will only be entered into with short-listed candidates. The CCMA reserves the right not to make an appointment. It is the intention of the CCMA to promote representativity in respect of race, gender and disability through the filling of the posts. Preference will be given to candidate from the designated groups.