The Social Justice Coalition (SJC) is a democratic, mass-based social movement that campaigns for the advancement of the constitutional rights to life, dignity, equality, freedom and safety for all people, but especially those living in informal settlements across South Africa.  Our campaigns are based on research, education, and advocacy and divided across two programmes.  The Local Government Programme leads our organizing for the rights of informal settlement residents to dignity, equality, and justice.  The Policing and Criminal Justice Programme leads our campaigns to ensure all people have access to a democratic and effective police and criminal justice system. 

The SJC seeks to appoint a  researcher, the successful candidate will provide research support to programmes on local government, policing and criminal justice and movement building. 

Responsibilities: 

• Conduct evidence-based research and undertake various types of applied primary and secondary research;
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the SJC’s campaign strategy and policy positions;
• Track relevant local, provincial, and national legislation and policy;
• Produce press and media outputs;
• Develop relevant campaign material for SJC members and activists;
• Build relationships and undertake strategic engagement with allies in both civil society and the state;
• Conduct seminars, workshops, and events in support of activists both within and outside of the SJC;
• Undertake logistical and organizational support for the programmes where required; and 
• Make submissions on 
• It should be understood that the SJC is an organization growing and evolving all the time.  As such the scope of your responsibilities may change and develop as the organization continues to grow.

Requirements: 

• University degree in either law, humanities and or politics 
• 1-2 years of research or related capacity at a tertiary institution or within civil society; 
• Prior experience in human rights work, local government, movement building and or policing and criminal justice; 
• Good communication (both verbal and written), interpersonal and listening skills; 
• Strong research, written and analytical skills; 
• Ability to multitask, be flexible and adapt to the objectives and focus areas of the SJC; 
• Good time management 

Languages: 

• Fluency in spoken and written English; and
• Proficiency in isiXhosa or another indigenous South African Language. 
• Personal Attributes: 
• Ability to work in a team; 
• Willingness to work beyond official working hours once in a while; 
• Ability to work under pressure; and
• Pay meticulous attention to detail. 

Should you be interested in the vacancy, please forward your application letter, curriculum vitae accompanied by a 2 page written sample on whether South Africa –specifically the Western cape has a housing crisis or housing mismanagement problem to Siyabonga Boesman and Khensani Motileni via email to Siyabonga@sjc.org.za [2] and Khensani@sjc.org.za [3]. 

Should you not hear from us by the 4th of December 2020, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Please quote the source of this advertisement in your application - NGO Pulse Portal [4]

For more about the The Social Justice Coalition, refer to https://sjc.org.za [5]

For other vacancies in the NGO sector, refer to www.ngopulse.org/vacancies [6]