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.