Career Openings at University of Cape Town

Requirements for the position:

• A Masters (or higher) in Public Policy, Economics, or another similar social science including graduate-level (Honours and up) courses in econometrics/ statistics, microeconomics, or development economics
• Interest in and understanding of Development Economics, particularly randomised evaluations of social policies/ programs
• 10 years of relevant work experience with at least 5 years of relevant experience in research management, operations, policy outreach, or a combination of these. At least some of this experience should have been gained in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Proven track record of managing day-to-day operations of a large organization, and supporting teams across different work streams in achieving results, especially in detailed oversight of operations, HR, and financial management and reporting.
• Experience writing and managing budgets, fundraising, and managing grants and donor relationships
• Demonstrated ability to understand and communicate findings from rigorous quantitative research in external events, and training courses run by J-PAL.
• Experience in managing policy outreach, including strategically identifying and mobilising appropriate policymakers and developing and maintaining these relationships
• Self-motivated and able to take direction, formulate a plan of action, and mobilize teams to execute while maintaining high-quality work
• Advanced writing and oral presentation skills in English.
• Position is based at UCT in Cape Town and is not eligible for fully remote work in a another city

The following will be advantageous:

• Ability to speak fluently in French

Responsibilities include (please review the full job description for full details of responsibilities):

• The main responsibility of this senior executive position is to lead J-PAL Africa by ensuring its work across Africa is delivered to the highest international standards. This involves overseeing the Research, Policy, Education & Training, Finance & Operations functions.
• The role includes working with J-PAL’s global network of researchers and offices and contributing to international thinking about evidence-informed policymaking. Some specific responsibilities include:
• Work closely with all stakeholders, especially the Scientific Directors of J-PAL Africa who provide close guidance and oversight on the Africa strategy of the office; the Global Executive Director who supervises and coordinates with all regional Executive Directors on the strategy and operations of J-PAL worldwide; and with the Senior Management Team of the Africa office to manage the day-to-day operations of the office to ensure the strategy is implemented effectively, timely and with fidelity.
• In collaboration with the Associate Director of HR, Finance and Operations, support the day-to-day and operations management of the office. Dive deep into finances of the center and its different verticals, create robust internal and external financial reporting and management structures. Proactively identify and resolve problems to help the team achieve its goals.
• Support the Associate Director of Research, manage high level contact and coordination with Principal Investigators (PIs) to contribute to the design and planning of prospective research projects and in the implementation of J-PAL Africa’s research projects in South Africa and beyond to ensure high quality randomised evaluations are conducted in the field
• In collaboration with the Associate Director of Education & Training, identify opportunities to conduct training courses or conduct other forms of capacity building that support the research and policy goals of J-PAL Africa.
• In collaboration with the Associate Director of Policy, support and actively participate in J-PAL Africa’s policy outreach and funding activities across numerous countries in Sub Saharan Africa, including developing strong partnerships with global policymakers, practitioners and funders at the highest level to initiate and deliver new projects.
• Help recruit, manage, and retain outstanding and highly motivated and committed team members at all levels, including J-PAL Africa’s Senior Management Team.
• Ensure J-PAL Africa is in a sound financial position through proactive fundraising by building and cultivating relationships with diverse and increasing numbers of donors, foundations and other development organizations, and strong planning and management of grants and finances.
• Represent J-PAL Africa at high level external events and in meetings with senior members of various governments, NGOs, and other development organizations; and at donor convenings, academic conferences, policymaker engagements and training courses.
• Build relationships with the other seven J-PAL regional offices and , especially in MENA (Cairo) and Europe (Paris), global network of top researchers from universities around the world, and with colleagues at SALDRU and UCT.

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Requirements for the position:

For all levels:

• A BSc degree, and a BSc (Hons) degree in Quantity Surveying.
• Professional registration with the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession, or eligibility to do so.
• Experience in academic development activities in higher education.
• Minimum of 5 years industry experience post the honours degree.

For appointment at Lecturer Level:

• A master’s degree in Quantity Surveying or cognate discipline.

For appointment at Senior Lecturer Level:

• A PhD in Quantity Surveying or cognate discipline.
• Previous teaching experience at the tertiary level.
• A research publication record in accredited peer-reviewed journals, conferences, chapters in books or books.

The successful candidate is expected to:

• Lead academic development activities in the Department;
• Facilitate student support structures in the Department;
• Work closely with the Head of Department and Programme Convenors in supporting teaching pedagogies, curriculum design and ensuring student success;
• Contribute to excellence in research at UCT;
• Teach undergraduate and/or postgraduate courses in Quantity Surveying or related fields;
• Conduct research, supervise postgraduate students, and publish in refereed journals;
• Participate in the management and administration of the Department;
• Be socially responsive by engaging with community and/or industry through teaching and research;
• Complete a PhD (if not already held);
• Obtain professional registration with the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (if not already registered);
• Reside in the greater Cape Town area.

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The Department of Public Law, within the Faculty of Law, invites applications for the following five academic positions, with appointments as soon as possible:

• Post 1: Lecturer / Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor specialising in administrative, constitutional law or public international law (2 positions).
• Post 2: Lecturer / Senior Lecturer specialising in the law of evidence, criminal law and procedure.
• Post 3: Associate Professor / Professor specialising in the law of evidence, criminal law and procedure.
• Post 4: Senior Lecturer / Associate Professor specialising in environmental law.

Candidates suitable for appointment as a Lecturer must have:

• At least a Master’s degree specialising in the relevant area of law. Working towards the completion of a PhD would be an advantage.
• Lecturing experience in the relevant area of law and/or other appropriate work experience; and
• Evidence of research skills in the relevant area of law, as well as academic publications.

Candidates suitable for appointment as a Senior Lecturer must have:

• At least a Master’s degree specialising in the relevant area of law and working towards the completion of a PhD. A PhD would be an advantage.
• Lecturing experience in the relevant area of law and/or other appropriate work experience; 
• Evidence of ability to effectively supervise academic research, including postgraduate student projects;
• An established research record with publications in the relevant field of law; and
• Evidence of active contribution to Department-level administration (or equivalent).

Candidates suitable for appointment as an Associate Professor must have:

• A doctoral degree, or in exceptional circumstances an equivalent level of scholarship, specialising in the relevant area of law;
• Substantial lecturing experience in the relevant area of law;
• Demonstrable capacity to supervise at a postgraduate level;
• A strong and consistent record of publications in the relevant area of law appropriate to the level of Associate Professor;
• Solid evidence of administrative experience; and
• Track record of socially responsive activities.

Candidates suitable for appointment as Professor must have:

• A doctoral degree, or in exceptional circumstances an equivalent level of scholarship, specialising in the relevant area of law;
• Extensive lecturing experience in the relevant area of law;
• An established record of postgraduate supervision;
• A strong and consistent record of publications in the relevant area of law appropriate to the level of Professor;
• Solid evidence of academic leadership; and
• Strong track record of socially responsive activities.

Responsibilities include (as appropriate to the relevant level of appointment):

• Teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by the Department of Public Law focusing on the relevant area of law as required by the Department.
• Supervising a cohort of Master’s and doctoral students.
• Maintaining a research profile and publication output.
• Providing academic leadership in the Department of Public Law generally, including curriculum development.
• Contributing to university, faculty and departmental activities and administrative responsibilities.