25 Jun 2018

Researcher Position - Women and Democracy Initiative

Researcher Position 

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) enjoys national and international acclaim for its continuing contribution to democratic change in South Africa and for making quality education accessible to all South Africans and developing centres of excellence of national and international importance. The Women and Democracy Initiative (WDI) takes an intersectional feminist approach and is seeking to appoint a candidate who is suited to working in an environment of this nature. The WDI, located in the Dullah Omar Institute: Faculty of Law seeks to employ a Researcher at the rank of Lecturer.

Key Performance Areas

  • Conduct research and publish relative to applied research projects: linkages between participatory democracy, advancing constitutional framework for women’s and gender rights, and accountable governance systems.
  • Lead and participate in advocacy on law and policy frameworks, government programmes, and socio-political practice.
  • Lead and inform advocacy communication strategies.
  • Facilitate and participate in civil society alliances.
  • Support the development of funding proposals and donor reporting.
  • Perform administrative functions in the Institute.

Minimum Requirements

  • Masters degree in law, social sciences, humanities, political science or related field;
  • Three years experience in a senior role and research based advocacy.
  • Experience developing and implementing policy, programme and/or budget analysis and advocacy campaigns.
  • Experience in at least one of the following areas: Women’s rights and gender justice, social justice and human rights, participatory democracy, or constitutional governance systems.
  • Experience in applied research projects.
  • Experience in and demonstrated understanding of civil society context and key dynamics in the sector regarding collective strategies to advance social justice.
  • Communication skills including writing for diverse audiences through popular communications, media engagement, advocacy submissions and research reports.
  • Demonstrated experience in consultative and facilitative approaches to alliance-based advocacy campaigns.

As part of your application please upload two examples of your written work to demonstrate your ability to write for a wide audience (including policy development/implementation audience).

In your application, you are encouraged to highlight your strengths and also include anything else that you feel may be pertinent to the selection panel. Please attach your covering letter, a detailed curriculum vitae and highest qualification to your online profile. To be considered for this vacancy, you must click on the Apply for this Job link below or apply directly via UWC Careers at https://uwc.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll.

For any queries, please contact the Human Resources Department at +27 21 959 4063/9763/9708/3551/3756.

EQUITY DISCLAIMER: In line with the University's commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with Employment Targets of the University. The University reserves the right to not make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates and may conduct competency assessments.

Closing date: 30/6/2018

Please visit https://uwc.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/592 to apply.