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HUMAN SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL (HSRC)
 
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GRANT WRITING CONSULTANT
 
Details
Closing Date 2026/01/31
Reference Number HSR260105-1
Job Type Freelancer
Job Title Grant Writing Consultant
Business Area Office of the Chief Operating Officer - OCOO
Department Capacity, Growth and Innovation Unit (CGI)
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 31-Jan-2026
Job Category Other

Job Advert Summary
The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) conducts applied social science and humanities research in service of the public good in South Africa. The Capacity, Growth and Innovation (CGI) Unit within the HSRC seeks to appoint an experienced Grant Writing Consultant.
 
The purpose of this consultancy is to support HSRC researchers in the development of high-quality, competitive grant proposals. The consultant will be required to design and facilitate grant writing workshops and provide expert guidance to both senior and emerging researchers.
 
The ideal candidate must have demonstrable experience in grant writing and the facilitation of grant writing workshops, possess an excellent command of the English language, and hold relevant qualifications. The consultant must also have the ability to engage effectively with researchers at varying levels of seniority.
 
The grant writing programme aims to strengthen researchers’ proposal development skills, improve the quality and impact of grant submissions, and enhance the HSRC’s research funding success and influence across relevant fields.

Minimum Requirements
  • The candidate must demonstrate experience in grant writing.
  • A proven track record of successful grant applications to national and/or international funders is essential.
  • Proposals should reflect knowledge of the funding landscape relevant to the social sciences and humanities.
  • Minimum qualifications is NQF Level 10
  • A detailed CV is required, highlighting experience in conducting grant writing workshops and a success rate following these workshops.
  • The CV must include contactable references.

Duties & Responsibilities
The appointed service provider will primarily support both Senior and Junior researchers in enhancing their skills in grant proposal writing. The training aims to achieve the following objectives:
  • Encourage and assist researchers in developing high-quality research grant proposals.
  • Identify and comprehend donor requirements and funding opportunities.
  • Conceptualize and design competitive grant proposals, including formulating strong problem statements, clear objectives, suitable methodologies, and an effective impact framework.
  • Prepare realistic budgets and work plans that align with the goals of the proposals.
  • Enhance success rates for both local and international grant applications.
  • Provide practical training to researchers seeking external grant funding, as well as guidance on budgeting principles.
 
This virtual workshop is scheduled to last three days. Our goals for the participants include gaining a solid understanding of the grant writing process, learning how to create project budgets, employing strategies to increase external funding, and effectively managing project and operational budgets to build strong relationships with potential donors.

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
 
 
 
 
 
 







EXECUTIVE COORDINATOR: OFFICE OF THE CEO
 
Details
Closing Date 2026/01/23
Reference Number HSR260106-2
Job Type Permanent
Job Title EXECUTIVE COORDINATOR: OFFICE OF THE CEO
Business Area Office of the CEO
Department Office of the CEO
Number of Positions 1
Workplace Type Hybrid
Location - Town / City Pretoria
Location - Province Gauteng
Location - Country South Africa
Minimum Education Level NQF 7 - Degree or equivalent
Application Closing Date 23-Jan-2026
Job Category Administrative

Job Advert Summary
The Office of the CEO within the HSRC is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified Executive Coordinator based at the HSRC’s Pretoria office.
The candidate will be responsible for delivering comprehensive, high-level executive support to the CEO, ensuring the seamless operation of the CEO's office. This includes providing exceptional personal and professional assistance, coordinating strategic and operational activities. The incumbent will play a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the CEO’s office by managing administrative functions, facilitating stakeholder engagements, and ensuring alignment with the HSRC’s strategic and organisational priorities.

Minimum Requirements:
A relevant degree in Social Sciences, including Administration, Communications, or related fields or any relevant qualification at NQF level 7 as recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
  • A minimum of five (5) years’ proven experience as a high-level Executive Assistant, Administrator, or Coordinator.
  • High levels of proficiency in English, with excellent written and verbal skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal, networking, and communication skills
  • Proven proficiency in the use of computer software applications, notably the MS Office suite, electronic mail, diary management and internet.
  • The ability to function independently and under pressure.
  • High level of integrity and professionalism to liaise with top-level stakeholders and perform duties in a sensitive and confidential manner.
  • Excellent time management and prioritisation skills.
  • A commitment to excellence, attention to detail and meticulous and accurate execution of tasks.
  • Must be able to work in a diverse and multi-cultural environment.
 
Duties & Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
  • Provide high-level executive support to the CEO and the Office of the CEO (OCEO).
  • Coordinate and proactively maintain the CEO’s calendar, ensuring optimal prioritisation of commitments in collaboration with the CEO’s Office Manager.
  • Arrange and coordinate all travel requirements for the CEO and OCEO staff, including itineraries, logistics, and approvals.
  • Initiate and manage procurement requests for the Office of the CEO in line with internal processes and compliance requirements.
  • Manage logistical arrangements for meetings, events, travel, and accommodation.
  • Engage and liaise confidently with a wide range of stakeholders, especially senior executives, on behalf of the CEO.
  • Maintain and monitor a dynamic action list, ensuring timely follow-up on tasks delegated by the CEO.
  • Liaise with Supply Chain Management (SCM) on financial, procurement, and compliance matters.
  • Screen incoming communications in collaboration with the CEO’s Office Manager to determine priority and required action.
  • Draft, prepare, and edit correspondence, reports, spreadsheets, and other documents for the CEO’s review and approval.
  • Establish, organise, and maintain robust filing and records management systems.
  • Assist in the coordination between the CEO, Divisional Executives, and teams across research and shared services functions.

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












FINANCE MANAGER: OFFICE OF THE CEO
 
Details
Closing Date 2026/01/23
Reference Number HSR260106-1
Job Type Permanent
Job Title FINANCE MANAGER: OFFICE OF THE CEO
Business Area Office of the CEO
Department Office of the CEO
Number of Positions 1
Workplace Type Hybrid
Location - Town / City Pretoria
Location - Province Gauteng
Location - Country South Africa
Minimum Education Level NQF 7 - Degree or equivalent
Application Closing Date 23-Jan-2026
Job Category Finance

Job Advert Summary
The Office of the CEO at the HSRC is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified Finance Manager based at the HSRC’s Pretoria office.
The candidate will be responsible for leading, managing, and overseeing the full spectrum of financial activities within the Office of the CEO, ensuring alignment with the HSRC’s strategic objectives, governance requirements, and organisational mandate. This includes the development, implementation, and maintenance of robust financial systems, processes, and controls; effective budgeting and forecasting; expenditure monitoring; financial reporting; and ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory, and internal policies. The incumbent will play a key role in supporting strategic decision-making by providing accurate financial insights, managing financial risks, and promoting sound financial stewardship across the Office of the CEO.

Minimum Requirements
Minimum Requirements:

  • A relevant degree in Finance or Accounting, or related fields or any relevant qualification at NQF level 7 as recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
  • A minimum of eight (8) years’ proven experience in financial management, cost and management accounting.
  • A sound understanding of the financial regulatory system in the public sector.
  • Experience in managing or coordinating internal and external audit processes.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to coordinate and capacitate staff.
  • Demonstrable high proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other accounting tools.
  • Must have intellectual and personal integrity, with a well-developed work ethic and drive, and an aptitude for innovation and attention to detail.
  • Should be able to work under pressure, and after hours when required. Must be able to work proactively and independently.

Duties & Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
  • Manage the financial processes (policies, controls, systems, flows and tasks) within the office of the CEO, so that it is efficient, effective and compliant with the PFMA and HSRC policies and procedures.
  • Assist with the development of budgets and forecasts of expenditure in the office of the CEO.
  • Prepare relevant financial reports for the office of the CEO, in keeping with policies and procedures, as well as audit requirements.
  • Manage the financial evaluation, financial analysis, risk assessment, and financing of CEO funded projects and new opportunities during all phases of project development, i.e., from inception to financial closure.
  • Ensure the accuracy, timeliness and integrity of all financial information provided and reported upon to relevant stakeholders.
  • Manage the relevant month-end and year-end processes and deadlines on behalf of the CEO’s office (accruals and journals, etc.).

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












SUBSCRIPTION AND ILL CONSULTANT
 
Details
Closing Date 2026/01/18
Reference Number HSR251125-1
Job Type Permanent
Job Title Subscription and ILL Consultant
Business Area e-Resource Knowledge Unit - eRKU
Department eRKU
Number of Positions 01
Workplace Type Hybrid
Location - Town / City Pretoria
Location - Province Gauteng
Location - Country South Africa
Minimum Education Level
NQF 7 - Degree or equivalent
Application Closing Date 18-Jan-2026
Job Category Education

Job Advert Summary
The unit seeks to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced candidate as a Subscription and Inter-Library Loans (ILL) Consultant. The successful candidate will be based in the Pretoria Office in a permanent position. The Subscription and ILL Consultant will be part of the Information Services Team responsible for the management of existing and new subscriptions of information resources, as well as rendering Inter-library Loan services. He/she will ensure that the information resources are utilised optimally through constant evaluation process. The incumbent will further provide scholarly support towards researchers in terms of their publishing efforts on Open Access routes. The successful candidate will report to the Manager: Information Services.
The successful candidate should be deeply knowledgeable about licensing models, scholarly research and financial management. He or she should be a good team player, be self-disciplined, proactive, and have strong negotiation skills.

Minimum Requirements
  • Bibl degree or an equivalent LIS qualification
  • 5-years’ experience in e-resources management
  • Sound knowledge of licensing models, and Digital Rights Management
  • Knowledge of databases and library management systems
  • Extensive knowledge of Open Access publishing practices
  • Strong knowledge of Read or Publish initiatives
  • Negotiation skills
  • Knowledge of the PFMA and Treasury Regulations
  • Good financial management
  • Knowledge of interlibrary loans or resource sharing systems/platforms, as well as processes and procedures
  • Advanced computer literacy/proficiency across MS Office suite
  • Ability to work without supervision

Duties & Responsibilities
  • Manage the subscriptions of new and existing electronic information resources.
  • Procurement of resources (all formats) and promote the use thereof.
  • Evaluate the use of all electronic information resources.
  • Maintain uninterrupted access to information e-resources.
  • Financial management of all information resources.
  • Provide administrative support in terms of the payment of Article Processing Charges (APCs) for publishing in open access journals.
  • Coordinate and promote the use of Transformative Agreements.
  • Contract management of the subscribed information resources.
  • Manage inter-library loans services

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