TIPS has two internship opportunities available for recently or about to graduate masters’ students.  The aim of the internship is to give young researchers the opportunity to acquire work experience, improve their research skills and enhance their understanding of the South African economy.  The internship is structured to give exposure to issues of industrial development, trade and the green economy as well as work on policy orientated projects.

The internship is for 12 months. The intern will directly participate in projects carried out by TIPS.

TIPS also offers the opportunity to conduct individual research, in line with the priorities of the institution. Our research is on generating and analysing evidence-based options for industrial policy as the key to more inclusive economic growth. You can see more about our work at www.tips.org.za

As an intern at TIPS, you will:

• Perform economic research under the guidance of the line manager, and provide research input and data analysis;
• Participate in and present research at internal discussions and workshops / events
• Publish research reports through the TIPS website, other publications, conferences, seminars, etc.

You will need:

• A Masters (completed or in final stages of completing) in Economics; or a Masters (completed or in final stages of completing) in Development Studies, Environmental Sciences, or a related field and should have also completed Economics III at undergraduate level; and
• A passion for industrial policy, inclusive economic development and sustainable growth;
• A study background on trade, industrial policy, the manufacturing sector and Sustainable growth.  
• Strong communication skills in writing, editing and presentation, with an excellent command of written and spoken English;

• Strong computer skills, with a proven ability to manipulate data in Excel and knowledge of Stata or SPSS
• Teamwork and an ability to handle tight deadlines

Who we are:

Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is an independent, non-profit, economic research institution based in Pretoria. It was established in 1996 to support economic policy development, with an emphasis on industrial policy, in South Africa and the region. Its areas of focus are trade and inclusive industrial policy, and sustainable development. TIPS approach is to integrate research and analysis, policy development, disseminating information, capacity building, technical support, and programme design and management. To support these activities, TIPS researchers are expected to provide world-class quantitative and qualitative socio-economic analyses.

Application details:

Closing date for applications: 22 November 2024

To apply, please send a short CV, a cover letter highlighting your interest for the position and how you match the requirements as well as a writing sample via e-mail to jobs@tips.org.za. Note that we will only consider applications with all of these components. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed applicants only.

Economist/Researcher – Just Transition Labour Centre

Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is looking for two Economists/Researchers to work for the Just Transition Labour Centre (JTLC). You can see more about our work at www.tips.org.za.

As an Economist/Researcher at TIPS, you will:

• Undertake high quality economic research, report writing, data analysis, and economic input.
• Liaise with and support the relevant policy-making entities in South Africa (and elsewhere in the region as appropriate) in line with TIPS's and the JTLC’s mandate and priorities.
• Contribute to preparing reports to funders/clients with the support of TIPS's administrative staff and the line manager.
• Conduct ad hoc/Public good research projects as they arise with direction from the line manager.
• Provide content for dissemination in conjunction with TIPS staff and the JTLC on research projects, events, publications, etc.
• Contribute content to the TIPS website and support the release of research and information produced by TIPS into the public domain.

You will need:

• A post-graduate qualification (at least a Masters’ degree) in Economics, Sociology or related discipline and at least three years of research and/or policy experience.
• An interest and expertise in international trade, industrial policy, and regional integration.
• An interest and some experience with work relating directly to the Just Transition in South Africa or climate change.
• Strong communication skills in writing, editing and presentation, with an excellent command of written and spoken English.
• A passion for industrial policy and inclusive economic development, with knowledge of national and international developments on industrial policy, trade, and other economic issues.
• A respect for and appreciation of the labour movement in South Africa and towards community struggles and needs.
• Strong computer skills, with a proven ability to manipulate data in Excel and knowledge of Stata or SPSS.
• Teamwork and an ability to handle tight deadlines.
• Ability to design and carry out research projects within internal and external team members as well as the ability to carry out research autonomously.

Who we are:

Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is an independent, non-profit, economic research institution based in Pretoria. It was established in 1996 to support economic policy development, with an emphasis on industrial policy, in South Africa and the region. Its areas of focus are trade and inclusive industrial policy, and sustainable development. TIPS approach is to integrate research and analysis, policy development, disseminating information, capacity building, technical support, and programme design and management. To support these activities, TIPS researchers are expected to provide world-class quantitative and qualitative socio-economic analyses. The Just Transition Labour Centre (JTLC) was established by the four trade union federations in South Africa (COSATU, FEDUSA, NACTU, SAFTU) to undertake research on different aspects of the just transition to a low carbon economy, as a response to climate change, and to capacitate trade unions and workers in general to respond to these changes.

Application details:

Closing date for applications: 15 November 2024

Non-South African applicants should have authority to work in South Africa. The role is based in Gauteng.

To apply, please send a short CV, a cover letter highlighting your interest for the position and how you match the requirements as well as a writing sample via e-mail to jobs@tips.org.za. Note that we will only consider applications with all of these components. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed applicants only.

Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is looking for an Economist /Researcher. You can see more about our work at www.tips.org.za.

As an Economist/Researcher at TIPS, you will:

• Undertake high quality economic research, report writing, data analysis and economic input
• Liaise with and support the relevant policy-making entities in South Africa (and elsewhere in the region as appropriate) in line with TIPS' mandate and priorities.
• Contribute to preparing reports to funders/clients with the support of TIPS's administrative staff.
• Conduct ad hoc / Public good research projects as they arise with direction from the line manager
• Provide content for dissemination in conjunction with TIPS staff on research projects, events, publications, etc
• From time to time produce independent research or expand TIPS research
• Contribute content to the TIPS website and support the release of research and information produced by TIPS into the public domain
• Provide mentorship to junior staff

You will need:

• A post-graduate qualification (at least a Masters’ degree) in Economics or related discipline and at least three years of research and/or policy experience
• An interest and expertise in international trade, industrial policy and regional integration

• Strong communication skills in writing, editing and presentation, with an excellent command of written and spoken English
• A passion for industrial policy and inclusive economic development, with knowledge of national and international developments on industrial policy, trade and other economic issues

• Strong computer skills, with a proven ability to manipulate data in Excel and knowledge of Stata or SPSS
• Teamwork and an ability to handle tight deadlines
• Ability to design and carry out research projects within internal and external team members as well as the ability to carry out research autonomously

Who we are:

Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is an independent, non-profit, economic research institution based in Pretoria. It was established in 1996 to support economic policy development, with an emphasis on industrial policy, in South Africa and the region. Its areas of focus are trade and inclusive industrial policy, and sustainable development. TIPS approach is to integrate research and analysis, policy development, disseminating information, capacity building, technical support, and programme design and management. To support these activities, TIPS researchers are expected to provide world-class quantitative and qualitative socio-economic analyses.

Application details:

Closing date for applications: 31 October 2024

Non-South African applicants should have authority to work in South Africa. The role is based in Gauteng.

To apply, please send a short CV, a cover letter highlighting your interest for the position and how you match the requirements as well as a writing sample via e-mail to jobs@tips.org.za. Note that we will only consider applications with all of these components. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed applicants only.

BACKGROUND

Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is an independent, non-profit, economic research institution based in Pretoria. It was established in 1996 to support economic policy development, with an emphasis on industrial policy, in South Africa and the region. Its areas of focus are trade and inclusive industrial policy, and sustainable development.

TIPS strives to undertake in-depth economic analyses, especially at the industrial level; provide quality research as the basis for improving industrial policy and the broader economic development strategies and support an increasingly dynamic, evidence-based discourse on industrial policy and inclusive growth with academics, other researchers and stakeholders.

THE ROLE

Purpose

Working closely with the TIPS JUST SA Lead and other team members, the Economist will support the design and implementation of the TIPS component of the Just Transition to a Decarbonised Economy for South Africa (JUST SA) project, an ambitious, multi-year initiative supporting the implementation of pathways towards an environmentally sustainable, climate-change resilient, low-carbon economy and just society. This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic economist with an interest in climate change and the green economy to participate in ground-breaking research on the Just Transition in South Africa.

Scope of work

• Lead the design and delivery of support to Just Transition processes (e.g., local level economic diversification in the Mpumalanga coal fields, decommissioning of Eskom coal-fired power stations, and other studies as required).
• Support the implementation of the national and provincial TIPS JUST SA research programs.
• Deliver training on the green economy and the Just Transition to provincial and local government officials.
• Support the establishment of a Just Transition Community of Practice in South Africa.
• Update the JUST SA digital knowledge platform on a regular basis.
• Participate in relevant conferences and forums, including webinars, networking events, study trips, etc.
• Contribute to other JUST SA work packages, processes and outputs as required.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications & expertise

• At least a Masters level degree in Economics, Development Economics, Industrial Policy or similar 
• 3-5 years of experience in policy research and analysis
• Good understanding of the energy transition and the South African just transition landscape
• Excellent writing, presentation and communication skills in English
• High level of computer literacy in MS Office, including data manipulation in Excel

Competencies & personal qualities

• Attention to detail
• Innovative and adaptive
• Excellent organisational skills
• Able to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritise and adhere to deadlines
• Able to work independently and deliver agreed output

 Application details

 Closing date for applications: 31 August 2024

Non-South African applicants should have authority to work in South Africa. The role is expected to be based in Pretoria, with some aspects of delivery to be undertaken virtually. Alternative arrangements could be considered for candidates based outside of Gauteng.

To apply, please send a short CV, a cover letter highlighting your interest for the position and how you match the requirements as well as a writing sample via e-mail to jobs@tips.org.za. Note that we will only consider applications with all of these components. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed applicants only. You can see more about our work at www.tips.org.za.