In delivering \u2018social science that makes a difference\u2019, the Research Programmes of the Human Sciences Research Council initiate and undertake policy-oriented research projects and programmes from its offices in Cape Town, Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Pretoria. Its public-purpose mandate is set out in the Human Sciences Research Council Act of 2008.<\/p>\n
The Developmental, Capable and Ethical State (DCES) research Division within the HSRC employs a multi-disciplinary group of social scientists who conduct numerous empirical and policy-related studies.<\/p>\n
The DCES division is looking to appoint a suitably qualified professional to take on the responsibilities of a Research Director in the division. The Research Director position supports and assists the Developmental, Capable and Ethical State (DCES) Divisional Executive (DE) and Strategic Leads in implementing the five-year strategic plan of the HSRC. The Developmental, Capable and Ethical State (DCES) division conducts transdisciplinary, intersectional, policy and programme-relevant research. The two over-arching questions that guide the research interventions are:<\/p>\n
\u2022How to strengthen democracy through transparent governance, accountable leadership and reinvigorated public participation\/ civic engagement; and
\n\u2022How to ensure sustainable development through peace, human and social security.<\/p>\n
The Vision of DCES is for it to be a national, regional and international hub for transformative research in the interests of a just and equal society.<\/p>\n
The Mission of DCES is for it to conduct cutting edge research in the areas of peace, human security, sustainability, democracy, governance and citizenship in an engaged manner that focuses on building a better life for all.<\/p>\n
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Job Title: RESEARCH DIRECTOR<\/strong> Job Summary:<\/strong> The following are the key responsibilities for the Research Director role in the division:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022Lead, manage and coordinate various research themes, senior researchers and teams in the areas of Democracy, Governance & Citizenship, and Peace & Sustainable Security. Requirements:<\/strong> The HSRC is committed to accelerating the improvement in the proportion of its staff who are SA Citizens, black, female or disabled.<\/p>\n
\nLocation:<\/strong> Nationwide, Nationwide, South Africa
\nReference #:<\/strong> RD-DCES 08\/2021
\nContract Type:<\/strong> Contract 5 Years<\/p>\n
\nThe Research Director role in DCES demands that the incumbent drives and lead a team of senior researchers in large and strategic research projects, innovating methodologies and coordinating working groups, flagship projects and task teams in order realise the vision of the DCES division and that of the HSRC. The successful candidate\u2019s responsibility will be to ensure that, the quality of research outputs, and enabling dissemination strategies, research partnerships and collaboration which drives the HSRC\u2019s quest for impact in policy-engaged research.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022Build visible national, continental and international research partnerships in the HSC area of specialisation that result in collaborative and multidisciplinary studies, high quality publications, evidence reviews and policy briefs.
\n\u2022Coordinate and review strategic plans and opportunities for fund raising to meet agreed upon targets for the team.
\n\u2022Together with the team and supported by the division\u2019s business development team foster concrete plans and activities for meeting the divisional goals and targets.
\n\u2022Ensure that grants obtained are strategic and focussed on public-oriented research in keeping with the HSRC\u2019s vision.
\n\u2022Manage the outputs of researchers in the team to ensure maximum impact of the HSRC.
\n\u2022Together with the Divisional Executive and Strategic Leads, spearhead formal government engagements through joint projects, partnerships, secondments, workshops and research dissemination.
\n\u2022Drive and enable a relationship of trust and influence in appropriate ways amongst all levels of research staff.
\n\u2022Actively forge research collaborations with Universities and Science Councils.
\n\u2022Ensure that each team member aligned to the designated theme of leadership is capacitated, managed, supported, mentored (if they are trainees) and motivated to ensure a high performance team that meets strategic targets.
\n\u2022Actively promote and support talent management, succession planning, retention strategies and achieve equity targets.
\n\u2022Ensure that fair conflict and consequence management takes place.
\n\u2022Oversight for achieving delegated designated targets for the theme \/ sub-division.
\n\u2022Contribution to the division\u2019s risk profile and mitigation strategies.
\n\u2022Ensure that research grants are well managed and that good relationships with collaborators and grant making organisations\/institutions are maintained.<\/p>\n
\nKey requirements:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 A doctorate (PhD) in Social Sciences or related disciplines
\n\u2022Additional Management Qualifications (e.g. MBA) will be an added advantage
\n\u2022At least ten (10) years\u2019 experience in managing and leading in senior research teams.
\n\u2022At least 5 years\u2019 experience at a strategic and senior management level in an academic environment or research institution
\n\u2022An academic leader with an impressive and strong publishing record of at least 20 peer reviewed publications (books, books chapters, journal articles) of which several must be international and first must be first or sole authored.<\/p>\n