Divisional Executive: Developmental, Capable And Ethical State at HSRC

• The HSRC seeks to appoint a Divisional Executive (DE) to direct, plan, and coordinate the work of DCES and its sub-programme. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the DE will lead a team in delivering globally recognised and locally relevant research and policy engagement on democracy, peace, and security. The position is based in Pretoria, with oversight of activities across the HSRC’s other locations.

 DIVISIONAL EXECUTIVE: DEVELOPMENTAL, CAPABLE AND ETHICAL STATE DIVISION

• Ref. DE/DCES/04/2026
• 5-year contract
• Pretoria based

Minimum Requirements    

• A Doctoral degree (PhD NQF level 10) in the Social Sciences, Humanities, Development Studies, Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations, or related disciplines.
• At least 10 years of senior-level experience, including 5 years or more in a strategic leadership role in a research, academic, public policy, or research innovation environment.
• Proven track record in interdisciplinary research and policy engagement.
• In-depth knowledge of issues related to democracy, governance, peace, security, sustainability, and human development in South Africa and the continent.
• Proven ability to mobilise research funding, manage budgets, and build partnerships at national, regional, and international levels.
• Demonstrated experience in managing large-scale research initiatives.
• An academic leader with a strong publishing record (books, book chapters, journal articles), several of which must be international and first or sole-authored.
• Fluency in English
• Demonstrated experience in working in a similar regulatory environment

Additional requirements:

• Experience in government, multilateral organisations, think tanks, or industry is an added advantage.
• Excellent networking skills and experience in working with senior policy makers and decision
• A track record of leading large-scale quantitative and/or qualitative research studies with demonstrable outcomes.
• Demonstrated commitment toethical leadership, diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
• Personal qualities that include intellectual and personal integrity, imagination, drive, and the ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Leadership qualities that include humility, commitment to excellence, strategic advisory experience, the ability to work as part of an executive team and to lead multidisciplinary
• Advanced business and commercial
• Excellent computer literacy, including a knowledge of contemporary ways of communicating research outcomes.

Duties & Responsibilities    
The successful candidate will actively engage in the following:

Strategic Planning and Leadership

• Delivery of the HSRC’s Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan targets as cascaded to the Division.
• Financial Management of the Division’s
• Innovative Resource Mobilisation and Partnership
• People Management within the
• Stakeholder and Customer Relationship
• Risk and Compliance

Key and Strategic Functions and Responsibilities:

Strategic and Thought Leadership

• Shape and implement a forward-looking strategy aligned with the HSRC’s strategic
• Provide visionary leadership in positioning DCES as a hub for transformative research on democracy, governance, peace, human security, and sustainability.
• Drive innovation in transdisciplinary and policy-relevant research to address national, regional, and global challenges.
• Represent the HSRC and DCES at high-level forums, conferences, and stakeholder engagements.

Research and Policy Influence

• Oversee the design, execution, and dissemination of cutting-edge research that informs evidence-based policy and practice.
• Strengthen the impact of research outputs on public policy, governance systems, and civic engagement.
• Promote participatory approaches that place citizens at the centre of governance and development.
• Publish impactful research outputs and policy-relevant knowledge

Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation

• Build strategic partnerships across government, higher education, industry, civil society, and global networks.
• Drive resource mobilisation through grant acquisition and contract research aligned to the strategic agenda.

Operational and People Management

• Ensure excellence in financial, project, and people
• Cultivate a high-performing, diverse, and inclusive
• Develop and oversee annual plans, budgets, and monitoring