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COMMISSION FOR GENDER EQUALITY (CGE)
 
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT (HOD): POLICY AND RESEARCH (Level 13)
(5-years performance-based contract)
All-inclusive annual remuneration package: R 1 107 022
Location: Johannesburg
 
This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CGE. The HOD Policy & Research will manage the activities, outputs and outcomes of the Policy & Research Department, providing leadership and strategic direction to the work of the Department, with the primary responsibilities that include planning, implementing and managing the overall business of the Policy & Research Department.
 
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Minimum Requirements: 
  • Masters Degree in the Social Sciences or related fields. 
  • Minimum five years relevant working experience.
  • Experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research.
  • Project management experience.
  • Knowledge of statistical software/packages.
  • Analytical thinking the ability to see a bigger picture as well as detail in situations.
  • Astuteness or critical thinking.
  • Curiosity or the passion to delve deeper into issues to unearth insight.
  • Quick thinker, or the ability to adapt quickly when things do not go according to plan,
  • Commitment – policy and research is a tough job, it may involve long hours and short timelines, thus, the incumbent must be resilient.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially research report writing skills.
  • Systematic and attention to detail.
  • Sympathetic listener and interpersonal skills, particularly when conducting research with human subjects.
  • Commitment to working towards a gender equal society.
  • Oral and written presentation skills.
  • Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel 
 
 
The successful candidate must be competent in the following key performance areas: 
The HOD Policy and Research shall oversee the Policy and Research initiatives of the CGE, including:
  1. Participation in the strategic planning of the CGE and ensuring that the annual performance and quarterly plans of the Policy and Research Department are developed, implemented, monitored and reported on as required.
  2. Providing strategic leadership, direction and mentorship to Researchers on the implementation of innovative and transformative research initiatives, including change-management within the department and the CGE at large.
  3. Developing the relevant skills in the Department, to adapt to the use of new industry technology, promoting efficient transition to the 4th Industrial Revolution as required.
  4. Development and enforcing proper work ethics and management standards within the Department and the CGE at large, as well as managing work efficiency and productivity, against agreed upon benchmarks.
  5. Setting research goals aligned with the CGE’s mandate, including the institutional vision, mission and core values.
  6. Conceptualisation and supervision of multiple research projects, nationally and provincially.
  7. Conceptualisation of the research agenda of the CGE in consultation with the relevant oversight structures, for consensus management.
  8. Implementing effective budget planning and financial management of the Department’s resources.
  9. Management of internal and external stakeholders, including service providers, especially for the Policy and Research Department.
  10. Ensuring compliance with the CGE internal regulatory tools, as well as national and international legislation governing the work of the CGE and the public sector at large.
  11. Ensuring the operations of the department are in compliance with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996) and the CGE Act 39 of 1996, at all times.
  12. Taking a leadership role in working with partner organisations on key policy issues. 
 
 
Other operational responsibilities will include:
  1. Coordinating the development of research proposals, terms of reference, methodologies, research instruments and data collection approaches amongst others.
  2. Developing and maintaining systems to support research coordination and goals, including standard approaches for qualitative and quantitative research.
  3. Developing and managing the research team, including building the required skills development initiatives.
  4. Preserving excellent research integrity and ensure appropriate research methodology, as well as managing the production of research reports.
  5. Ensuring the integration of research outcomes into CGE programmes.
  6. Managing the research process and keep research products on track for release dates determined in partnership with internal oversight structures.
  7. Ensuring all research reports are professionally reviewed and edited, including the production of factsheets and policy reviews.
  8. Ensuring the policy and research products are disseminated to relevant stakeholders, using as many media platforms as possible, including social media platforms. 
  9. Coordinating (with HOD: Legal) the synchronization between research findings and findings of legal investigations.
  10. Ensuring that research informs improvements in the operationalization of the mandate of the CGE, including assessing benefits to the intended stakeholders.
  11. Providing technical research assistance and support within the institution when the need arises. 
  12. Supporting strategic impact assessments of the work of the CGE.
  13. Preparing presentations to Parliament and other stakeholders as required.
  14. Participate in CGE internal and external meetings and perform other duties as assigned by the employer.
  15. Use your best endeavour to promote and extend the good name and standing of the CGE, including adhere to good governance principles of the public sector.
  16. Uphold the institutional values of the Commission for Gender Equality.
 

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Prospective candidates will be required to submit samples of their published written work and/or published articles.  

Please submit the following: Letter of Motivation, submit a detailed CV with Certified copies of ID and academic qualifications; Provide the full names of three contactable Referees with full contact details (telephone details & e-mail addresses).
 
To the Commission for Gender Equality, Attention: info@affinityconsulting.co.za :  for enquiries contact 063 266 3930
 
Please note that no e-mail, faxes or late applications will be accepted. If you do not receive correspondence from the CGE within a period of a month after the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted within two weeks of the closing date. Applicants with a foreign qualification must submit a SAQA evaluation report on the qualification. Background checks will form part of the selection process. Competency assessment tests may be administered to shortlisted candidates as part of the selection process. The CGE reserves the right not to fill these advertised positions. The CGE fully subscribes to the principles of Employment Equity and these principles will be applied in the appointment for these positions:
 
Closing date and time: 29 November 2021at 17:00
 
No late submissions will be considered.