Universal Basic Income Grant Researcher

Institute For Economic Justice; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 400,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

The Institute for Economic Justice seeks a Researcher for their Universal Basic Income Grant project in Johannesburg. The role requires significant research experience, leadership skills, and a Master's degree in relevant fields. The Researcher will lead research initiatives and engage in advocacy for social protection and income support in South Africa.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in economics, development studies, politics, social/public policy, or sociology.
• Strong analytical and written communication skills.
• Experience in research leadership.

Responsibilities

• Designing and conducting primary and secondary research.
• Leading advocacy efforts and external stakeholder engagement.
• Managing project plans and preparing donor reports.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Problem-solving

Education

Master's degree in related fields

Tools

MS Outlook

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) seeks a Researcher for our Universal Basic Income Grant project.UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME GRANT (UBIG) PROJECTThe COVID-19 crisis placed the importance of comprehensive income support on the agenda in an unprecedented manner.

There is, therefore, a unique policy moment in South Africa, and internationally, to advance comprehensive social protection, and in particular a UBIG.

The IEJ is deeply entrenched in the policy process around the proposed implementation of basic income support.

This has included : Campaigning for extension and increase of SRD grant.Litigating procedures and regulations related to the SRD grant.Producing policy materials on UBIG.Public education and advocacy.Collaboration amongst researchers.Support to policymakers.A leading role in a CSO coalition on basic income.Original research, including econometric, desk and qualitative research.JOB PURPOSEThe Researcher will play a leading role in the UBIG project, under the management of the Project Lead.

They will also work on other projects within the IEJ, including work related to social protection, care, and the just transition.ABOUT YOUYou should have significant research experience and some thematic expertise in an area relevant to Universal Basic Income, particularly in South Africa.

You should have strong research leadership skills and the ability to collaboratively lead, manage, and execute research projects.

You should have some policy and / or related work experience in or outside civil society.

You should value working towards a fairer and more just world.MAIN RESPONSIBILITIESResearchDesigning and undertaking primary and secondary research in the focus research and policy areas, leading to a range of outputs including Research Reports, Working Papers, journal articles and summary materials, such as factsheets.Oversight of the relevant project work.Reviewing, commenting on, and editing research outputs by other project teams and IEJ members, or external consultants.Leading on convening research and policy forums in focus areas, for example, conferences or symposiums.Participating in workshops and conferences.AdvocacyConducting media engagement (radio, TV interviews etc.

Leading, representing IEJ in and participating in meetings with external stakeholders including government.Oversight of all advocacy activities related to this stream of work.Building partnerships and collaborating with research organisations, civil society role players and other relevant stakeholders.Representing IEJ in relevant forums.Strategic contributionsThinking about how to frame IEJ's position on key political and strategic issues.Developing key messages.Developing language for the communication of IEJ, including visual messaging.MentoringAssisting, when required, in building the capacity of junior researchers to produce publishable documents.Where applicable, assisting in mentoring through managing and revising the work of these junior researchers.Project management and donor relationsPreparing and managing the implementation of project plans.Contributing to the preparation and management of project budgets.Preparing reports of project work undertaken.Contributing to and preparing donor narrative reports.Contributing to donor calls for applications.SKILLS AND EXPERIENCERequired skills and experience include : Master's degree in an area related to economics, development studies, politics, social / public policy, economic geography, or sociology, with specialisations in social security or public provisioning preferable.Excellent research background.Strong analytical and written communication skills.Strong interpersonal skills.Ability to engage with media and external stakeholders.Knowledge of thematic focus area.Project planning and staff management expertise.Interested in and passionate about the mission of the IEJ.Excellent computer literacy is essential, especially in MS Outlook, MS Word and MS Excel.Strategic and analytical thinker; proactive and performance-orientated.Organised, self reliant, good problem solving, results oriented multi-tasker with management skills and judgment.Flexible and resilient.Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.Presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with all team members and stakeholders.Desirable skills : Quantitative analysis and research skills.Fluency in multiple South African languages.CONTRACTThe contract will be a full-time three-year contract, with the possibility of extension depending on funding, beginning as soon as possible.

The appointment would be at the Researcher level.SALARY (TCTC)R – R LOCATIONThe position is based in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

The IEJ currently operates on a hybrid work model where all staff are expected to be in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

This may change in future.The IEJ is committed to gender and racial equity and transformation and will consider this when reviewing applications.