The IEJ is a progressive economics think tank based in Johannesburg South Africa. The IEJ’s core objective is to provide policy makers and progressive social forces in South Africa with access to rigorous economic analysis, and well thought through policy options, as a basis for advancing systemic change. Interventions proposed by the IEJ must advance social justice, promote equitable economic development that realises socio-economic rights, and ensure a thriving, democratic, environmentally sustainable, and inclusive economy that places the needs of the majority at the centre.
The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) seeks a Researcher on COVID-19 and Special Projects.
COVID-19 and Special Projects
The IEJ has a number of cross programmatic projects. One of these has been the substantial work the Institute has done on COVID-19 rescue and recovery measures since the outbreak of the pandemic. This has included proposing a fully-costed rescue and relief package; analysis of COVID-19 budgetary allocations and spending; assessment of the human rights implications of relief measures; conducting labour market analysis in South Africa and SADC for the International Labour Organization; campaigns for the extension of social relief measures; analysis of proposed economic recovery plans; and engagements with a wide range of constituencies, including Labour, Business, progressive economists, and the Presidency.
Work is on-going in the Localisation of Medical Manufacturing in Africa project. The project undertakes research into the expanded localisation of the production of medical products in Africa in a manner that is developmental, stimulates economic recovery, challenges entrenched global North control over the industry, and ensures equitable access. It uses this research to engage with a broad spectrum of partners in order to raise the importance of this issue and how it can be incorporated into COVID-19 recovery plans. This contributes towards challenging existing relations of production, distribution and power with medical supply chains and allocations.
The Special Projects Programme within the Institute also “incubates” new projects and tests area of potential research, policy, and advocacy for the IEJ.
Researcher on COVID-19 and Special Projects
The Researcher will work on a range of cross-cutting themes within the Programme, including leading the Localisation of Medical Manufacturing in Africa project and other work on COVID-19.
Within the Programme, the Researcher will:
Participate and lead the implementation of projects;
Undertake desktop literature reviews, statistical analysis, and report writing;
Actively participate in advocacy and policy outreach;
Contribute to conceptualising new research;
Write, review, and publish relevant project outputs; and
Lead stakeholder engagement and build and sustain networks relevant to the projects.
In addition, the Researcher will:
Be actively involved in IEJ’s policy debates and publications; and
Contribute towards IEJ general and organisational tasks as required.
Minimum qualifications / experience required
Masters’ Degree in economics and/or any social science field (politics, political economy, and sociology preferable).
At least 3-5 years of research experience;
Previous academic or non-academic publications; and
Experience working with research and activist networks at country, regional, or continental level is desirable.
The candidates should have the following attributes:
Strong writing and analytical skills;
Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills;
Be committed to progressive economic transformation in South Africa and Africa;
English language fluency with strong research ability; and
Advanced understanding of the national and international context of the research.
The IEJ is committed to gender and racial equity and transformation and will consider this when reviewing applications.
Contract details
The contract will be a full-time twelve-month contract beginning as early in 2021 as possible. The position will be based in Johannesburg. Remuneration will be at market rates and based on work experience.
Application
Applications should be made via: https://forms.gle/SEzdq96eNEgo59kN7 . For queries contact [email protected], no applications will be accepted by email nor replied to.
For more about South African Institute of International Affairs, refer to www.iej.org.za