Senior Research Specialist and Research Specialist

The HSRC’s Developmental, Capable and Ethical State (DCES) division aims to be a national, regional and international hub for transformative research in the interest of a just and equal society. The DCES focuses on conducting innovative research in climate change and disaster risk management, environmental sustainability, democracy, governance, and citizenship, adopting an engaged approach to build a better life for all. It leads research, implementation, and advocacy support in the service of the public good and South Africa’s national priorities to strengthen social cohesion; create safe communities; build a capable, ethical and developmental state; and work towards a better Africa and world.

The HSRC seeks to appoint Senior Research Specialist (SRS) and Research Specialist (RS). The position will conduct research as part of the Africa, BRICS and Global South research pillar of the DCES division, with two research centres, Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) and South African BRICS+ Research Institute (SAB+RI). The research pillar is a hub for Africa-centred and Global South knowledge production, policy engagement, and implementation support. Furthermore, it seeks to build capacity and provide policy advice and implementation support to advance South Africa’s position on societal development, including innovation and technology, and to contribute to aspects of Africa’s Developmental Agenda.

The Objectives of the Africa, BRICS and Global South research pillar are to:

• Initiate, undertake and foster strategic research and applied research in human sciences focusing on developmental challenges and opportunities facing the African continent.
• Gather, analyse and publish data relevant to developmental challenges in Africa by means of projects linked to public sector-oriented collaborative projects.
• Provide leadership and harness African agency to transform African societies into dynamic, peaceful, and prosperous spaces.
• Build capacity and train African young scholars, policy makers, and practitioners to produce and share research-based knowledge about Africa’s development challenges.