Senior Research Manager

HSRC; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institution in Pretoria is seeking a Senior Research Manager to support and coordinate research programmes focused on BRICS, Africa, and the Global South. This role requires a Master's degree in Social Sciences and at least six years of research management experience, including coordinating multidisciplinary teams. Applicants should demonstrate strong planning and coordination skills. The position offers the opportunity to engage with international partners and strengthen research outputs.

Qualifications

• At least six years of experience in research management within a research policy or development environment.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and coordinating research programmes.
• Proven success in managing internal and externally funded research initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide programme-level coordination and management for research initiatives focused on BRICS Africa and the Global South.
• Support the design, planning, and implementation of multidisciplinary research programmes.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with research institutions and policy actors.

Skills

Research management

Coordination skills

Stakeholder engagement

Planning skills

Written communication

Education

Master’s degree in Social Sciences

Job description

Job Location : Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa Application Deadline : January 26, 2026

Job Advert Summary

• The HSRC invites applications for a Senior Research Manager to support and coordinate research programmes focused on BRICS, Africa and the Global South. The role provides programme-level leadership, supporting research conceptualisation, implementation, and partnership development, while ensuring delivery quality and alignment with institutional priorities. The Senior Research Manager will work closely with research executives, senior scholars and external partners to strengthen South‑South collaboration, contribute to high-impact research outputs and position the HSRC as a trusted knowledge partner in regional and global policy processes.

Minimum Requirements

• A relevant Master’s degree in Social Sciences or a related field.
• At least six (6) years of experience in research management within a research policy or development environment, including evidence of scholarly publications record.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and coordinating research programmes.
• Proven success in managing internal and externally funded research initiatives.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and institutional partners.
• Sound understanding of research governance, ethics and compliance frameworks
• Strong coordination, planning, and reporting skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Added Advantage

• Experience working in Africa, BRICS, or Global South research contexts.
• Exposure to international research partnerships, science diplomacy, or development policy processes.
• Track record of supporting research impact and policy engagement.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide programme-level coordination and management for research initiatives focused on BRICS Africa and the Global South
• Support the design, planning, and implementation of multidisciplinary research programmes and projects
• Coordinate delivery timelines, milestones, and outputs in collaboration with research leads
• Contribute to proposal development, funding coordination, and sustainability of the research portfolio
• Manage internal and external funding requirements, including reporting and compliance
• Support research governance processes, including ethics, quality assurance and institutional approvals
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with research institutions, policy actors and multilateral platforms across Africa and the Global South
• Contribute to research, impact policy engagement, dissemination and knowledge translation activities
• Represent the programme in internal coordination platforms and selected external engagements