The Social Justice Initiative (SJI) seeks to mobilise investments in South Africa’s social justice sector through direct resource mobilisation, increasing awareness of the sector’s impact, and facilitating engagements between social investors and organisations.
Based in Johannesburg, Gauteng – SJI seeks to appoint a
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT: SOCIAL JUSTICE
SJI is looking for a specialized social justice researcher, knowledge manager or policy development worker to assist the SJI to develop a coherent understanding of the current context and social justice issues, and the social justice sector, to inform its strategy and operations to ensure it can have the most critical impact. The successful incumbent will assist potential donors to understand and navigate the social justice issues and the sector, to assist them in understanding the impact they could make through social justice giving.
The Subject Matter Expert: Social Justice will be responsible for the following duties:
Develop and implement an annual / three-year research and knowledge management plan which analyses social justice issues in the SA context, and identifies priorities for SJI to champion
Conduct research or, where needed, identify and contract researchers and supervise to ensure they deliver according to contract.
Develop a database of stakeholders and interested parties who would benefit from the results of the research
Develop a plan to release research reports which meet the needs and interests of the target group (HNW individuals / potential and actual philanthropists, and SJOs).
Develop and curate content and written material which presents and promotes social justice issues and organisations working in the social justice sector to potential philanthropists who may not understand the value of SJ work
Engage with philanthropists and corporates in a way which assists them to understand the complexity of the issues and the sector at large
Provide updated information for the website and social media, with a focus on promoting social justice work or trends in philanthropy in SA and externally
Participate in organisational processes, such as strategic and planning sessions, evaluations/ reflections on the work of the SJI, reporting and communication
Subject Matter Expert: Social Justice must meet the following criteria:
This is a senior expert level position in the organisation. The incumbent must have extensive experience in analysing the socio-economic and political context as a researcher, knowledge manager or policy development worker within the social justice sector
Understanding of the social justice sector and the role played by a wide range of social justice organisations.
Excellent skills in synthesising, packaging and presenting complex issues and debates in a way which assists various stakeholders gain clarity of the issues and implications. ,
Ability to undertake independent research from planning to execution.
Able to engage at senior, corporate level, in formal and informal contexts, as well as with Social Justice Organisations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders regardless of their academic background or experience.
Must have credibility as researcher / specialist /knowledge manager and should not be seen to be pushing a partisan agenda.
Contribute internally to develop the organisation’s technical expertise and competence in social justice issues and the sector, and inform the strategy and work of the SJI.
Must be legally eligible to work full time in South Africa and be willing to travel occasionally both domestically and internationally.
View the full job description and application instructions on the Vacancies page at www.actionappointments.co.za and email your application by Monday January 31st 2022 to [email protected]