VACANCY: RESEARCH OFFICER

The Land and Accountability Research Centre (LARC) is recruiting for a RESEARCH OFFICER. Applications now open until 10 October 2022.

To view the advert, please click here: https://uct.ac.za/sites/default/files/2022-09/LAW_E220362_Research%20Officer_LARC_0.pdf

RESEARCH OFFICER (T2 - 3 year contract; full-time)
Land and Accountability Research Centre (LARC) Faculty of Law

The Land and Accountability Research Centre (LARC), based in the Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Town, is an interdisciplinary research unit supporting rural mobilisation, advocacy and strategic litigation on land rights, women’s rights, traditional governance, mining on communal land, and the nature of living customary law. We are looking for a dynamic, committed and curious researcher to advance our work with rural communities across the five provinces within which we work (North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape).

Requirements:
• A post graduate degree in Law or a relevant Social Science/ Humanities discipline;
• Proficiency in Nguni and/or Sotho group languages.
• An ability to conduct, report and analyse research programmes in relation both to specific local issues and to broad political, historical or legal themes.
• Experience in coordinating research project;
• An ability to engage constructively and respectfully with people from different backgrounds.
• An interest in social justice issues including the rights of rural people. • Evident skill in writing in English for academic or media related purposes; and
 Willingness to travel regularly.

Advantageous:
• Familiarity with South African law and skills in legal analysis
• Experience and ability in facilitation of workshops including people with different experience and skill sets
• Experience in managing a team and informing strategic priorities
• Demonstrable experience working with rural communities
• Experience in engaged scholarship including socially engaged research with rural communities;
• Proven ability to work at the interface between different disciplines and experiences
• Ability to analyse, explain and present complex legal and historical material accurately and respectfully in a manner that acknowledges different forms of knowledge and engages non-academic partner
• Ability to write for indigenous language media
• Valid driver’s license

Responsibilities:
• Research – desk top and empirical research, organising and conducting fieldwork excursions, workshops and community meetings
• Community engagement - maintain relationships with key partners / communities within designated thematic areas of work |
• Advocacy - attend and engage in strategic workshops, seminars, symposiums and other public platforms
• Monitoring relevant activities in Parliament, supporting submissions to Parliament
• Administration and Leadership activities within LARC’s land team

The annual cost of employment, including benefits is R601 928.

To apply, e-mail the below documents in a single pdf file to Hlubi Ntsizi at recruitment07@uct.ac.za
- UCT Application Form (download at http://forms.uct.ac.za/hr201.doc);
- Letter of motivation engaging with our focus areas and detailing how you would contribute to the organisation;
- Curriculum Vitae (CV);
- Example of your recent written research work.

Please ensure the title and reference number are indicated in the subject line. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Telephone: 021 650 2163
Website: www.larc.uct.ac.za
Reference number: E220362
Closing date: 10 October 2022

UCT is a designated employer and is committed the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at: http://www.hr.uct.ac.za/hr/policies/employ_equity.

UCT reserves the right not to appoint.