Role Overview The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) seeks a highly experienced and values-driven researcher to lead its work on green industrial policy and South African energy policy within the broader context of the Just Energy Transition (JET). This role is central to advancing an environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive economy that protects workers, enhances community wellbeing, and expands access to reliable and affordable renewable energy. The successful candidate will guide research, advocacy, policy development, and strategic engagement while contributing to a transformative economic agenda. Candidate Profile The ideal candidate brings substantial research expertise and thematic knowledge of just transitions, green industrial policy, and energy policy, particularly in the South African context. They demonstrate strong leadership capacity, project management competence, and the ability to drive collaborative research initiatives. A deep commitment to social justice, fairness, and equitable economic transformation is essential. The candidate should also be comfortable engaging with diverse stakeholders, including government, labour, civil society, and the media. Main Responsibilities Research Leadership The JET (Senior) Researcher and Project Lead will: Design and implement primary and secondary research projects. Produce high-quality outputs such as research reports, working papers, journal articles and summarised materials including factsheets. Oversee all research activities on green industrial policy and the South African energy system. Review, refine, and edit research outputs prepared by IEJ colleagues or external consultants. Lead the organisation of research and policy forums, including conferences and symposia. Represent IEJ and its research findings in academic, policy, and technical workshops. Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement Key advocacy responsibilities include: Conducting media engagements such as radio interviews, televised commentary, or panel discussions. Leading IEJ’s participation in meetings with external stakeholders, including government departments, trade unions, and civil society organisations. Overseeing all advocacy initiatives linked to green industrial policy and energy policy. Strengthening partnerships with unions, social movements, and sector-specific organisations. Representing the IEJ in strategic advocacy forums nationwide. Strategic Contributions The successful candidate will play an important role in shaping IEJ’s intellectual positioning by: Contributing to the framing of IEJ’s positions on political, economic, and strategic issues. Developing key messages and narratives for public communication. Assisting in crafting written and visual communication materials for broader dissemination. Mentorship The role includes: Supporting the capacity development of junior researchers. Reviewing and providing feedback on the work of junior colleagues. Offering ongoing mentorship to ensure quality, research excellence, and publication-ready outputs. Project Management and Donor Relations The candidate will oversee project execution and resource stewardship through: Preparing and implementing detailed project plans. Managing junior project staff where applicable. Producing progress reports and donor narrative reports. Leading calls for donor applications and contributing to funding mobilisation efforts. Skills and Experience Required Qualifications and Expertise Candidates must possess: A PhD (for Senior Researcher) or Master’s degree (for Researcher), or equivalent professional experience. A strong research record with published work. Training in disciplines such as energy policy, economics, political economy, finance, or social sciences. Strong analytical skills and excellent written communication abilities. Ability to engage effectively with the media and policy stakeholders. Experience in project planning, staff management, and collaborative teamwork. Proficiency in MS Outlook, Word, and Excel. Strategic thinking, strong judgment, and a proactive work ethic. Excellent interpersonal skills and effective presentation abilities. Flexibility, resilience, and the ability to manage multiple tasks. About the Just Energy Transition Project The IEJ’s Just Energy Transition (JET) programme focuses on ensuring that climate policy supports human rights, gender equity, social transformation, and environmental sustainability. The programme works closely with trade unions and civil society to develop policy alternatives that generate employment, expand renewable energy access, and advance a sustainable economic transformation agenda. The project aims to position green industrial policy as a driver of structural economic change, integrating labour, social reproduction, and international finance considerations. A core principle is that workers and communities should be primary beneficiaries and owners of the energy transition. Key areas of practical implementation include: Localising Manufacturing: Strengthening domestic capacity for renewable energy technologies. Developing Green Sectors: Building diverse sustainable economic sectors to drive growth. Leveraging Critical Minerals: Harnessing Africa’s mineral endowments for green industrial development. Enabling Regulation: Examining legal and institutional energy systems to advocate for frameworks aligned with green industrialisation. Contract and Remuneration Contract type: Full-time, three-year contract with possible extension based on funding. Salary (2026): Senior Researcher: R916 321 – R1 145 401 Researcher: R737 241 – R909 051 Location: Braamfontein, Johannesburg, with a hybrid work model requiring in-office presence on Tuesdays and Thursdays. IEJ prioritises gender and racial equity in hiring. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.