Stellenbosch University School of Public Leadership Centre for Complex Systems in Transition (CST) Part-Time Junior Researcher: Governance and Sustainability (75% of full-time post) One-year fixed-term contract with possibility of extension pending funding. (Ref. EBW07/086/0321) The Centre for Complex Systems in Transition (CST) is a flagship research initiative at Stellenbosch University (SU) that brings together research on transdisciplinary, complexity, sustainability and social-ecological resilience to inform pressing national, continental and global sustainability and development challenges. The CST hosts leading scientists and students from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, and fosters collaborations with a variety of departments across the University, nationally and globally, providing a vibrant hub for solution-oriented, transdisciplinary sustainability science that is primarily funded from external research grants. The primary objective of the CST is to co-produce transformational knowledge on the dynamics of multi-scale social-ecological change in partnership with key stakeholders, and thereby providing strategic insights into the new modes of research and governance that can bring about a just transition to a more equitable and sustainable society, in southern Africa and globally. The CST seeks a Junior Researcher for a one-year part-time fixed-term contract. The researcher must have expertise in governance and development, targeted at supporting sustainability transitions, with specific emphasis on addressing the equity, justice and collaborative dimensions of systemic change. We seek a researcher whose work is grounded in an understanding of South Africa's political economy, who has a substantial grasp of the last decade and current unfolding political landscape. Insights in this area must be understood through a lens of sustainability science and complexity. The incumbent will be expected to co-develop conceptual and methodological approaches for effecting sustainability transitions in collaboration with other CST researchers, and relevant partners, stakeholders and funders aligned with the CST¿s approach to transdisciplinary research. Specifically, the incumbent will be expected to contribute to the unfolding knowledge and theory building around state capture in South Africa, and how this interfaces with development pressures. Other critical areas of knowledge will be familiarity with institutional work in various sectors (government, private sector and civil society), disinformation and geopolitical pressures. The incumbent will be expected to take a lead in securing ongoing funding to support their position as well as those of other researchers at CST. A proven track record in managing transdisciplinary projects is essential. Duties: Conducting transdisciplinary research across the governance spectrum, with strong analytical competence; Leading and supporting processes that foster interactions with a variety of actors across the governance spectrum. This includes researchers, practitioners, decision makers from the private and public sector and community members across multiple scales; Co-designing and implementing capacity building and training activities (including material design) for researchers and practitioners in a variety of methods that can assist with addressing issues related to sound governance practice, anti-corruption, state capture, disinformation and sustainable development; Developing strategic links between the various foci within the governance portfolio at CST; Project managing initiatives across a range of transdisciplinary governance themes. Initiatives will include publications, large multi-stakeholder processes, and general grant management; Delivering public addresses and participating in media interviews for both audio and visual formats; Supporting teaching on the PGDip and Diploma modules in Sustainable Development. This would include facilitating group discussions, supporting students with group work presentations, answering assignment queries and supporting online structures for student engagement; Leading and supporting grant applications at CST to secure funding; Regularly participating in and contributing to collaborative events at CST (such as seminars, workshops, and experiential dialogues and learning journeys). Job Requirements: MPhil in Sustainable Development; A publication record in the areas of governance and the political economy, particularly in relation to state capture and associated case studies; Evidence of media outputs; At least three years of experience in project management with strong competencies in strategy, planning and finance; The ability to organise and analyse vast data sets; The ability to be diplomatic and facilitate discussion and conflict resolution in high stakes corporate, civil society and community environments; Experience and a desire to work in participatory interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary environments; Willingness to secure ongoing funding to support their position as well as those of more junior researchers at CST. Recommendation: Up to five years' experience in research, project management and facilitation.
