Job Alert: Content Advisor – Joint Standing Committee on Defence (IRC8777)

CORE SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

CONTENT ADVISOR – JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE (IRC8777)

We offer a market and industry competitive total cost-to-company package.

The Parliament of the Republic of South Africa is a premier institution in the country given its status as the legislative authority of South Africa. It is the only institution that has the power to make laws for the country. Parliament is not just a building, it’s the heart of our democracy where the country’s representatives gather to discuss important issue affecting the people, pass laws meant to promote the public good and promote accountability and transparency in governance.
The two houses that make up Parliament, the National Assembly, and the National Council of Provinces, each with its own distinct role and functions set out in the Constitution, work together to oversee the promotion of the constitutional values of human dignity, equality, non-racialism and non-sexism, human rights, and freedom.

JOB SUMMARY

As a Content Advisor, you will serve as the principal strategic and content advisor to Members of Parliament (MPs) serving on the Joint Standing Committee on Defence. You will provide objective, non-partisan strategic, policy, legislative and oversight support to strengthen informed decision-making and enable the Committee to effectively execute its constitutional responsibilities relating to oversight, law-making and public participation. The Committee oversees the financial and non-financial performance of the Department of Defence and related entities to ensure alignment with national priorities, constitutional obligations and the effective safeguarding of South Africa’s national security interests. As the subject matter expert, your primary responsibility will be to analyse and synthesise complex policy, governance, legislative and performance information into clear, decision-ready insights, advisory notes, reports and recommendations that support the Committee’s work. You will form part of an esteemed cross-functional and multi-disciplinary team working closely with Members of the Committee on complex defence, military and national security matters. Your expertise will contribute significantly to strengthening accountability, sound governance and effective oversight within the defence sector, while supporting Parliament’s constitutional mandate and positively impacting the safety and security of South Africans.

Your key responsibilities will be:

Facilitate Committee strategic and operational planning, performance monitoring and evaluation

Support the development, implementation and monitoring of Committee strategic and operational plans and performance commitments.

2. Provide Committee support with regards to:
   1. Strategic, Policy and Advisory Support to Committees - Provide strategic, policy and advisory support through research, analysis and briefing documentation.
   2. Oversight of Executive Action - Support oversight processes through analysis of departmental performance, reports and Executive responses.
   3. Legislation - Support the processing and analysis of Bills, legislative frameworks and stakeholder submissions.
   4. Public Participation and Stakeholder Engagement - Coordinate and support public participation and stakeholder engagement processes.
   5. Statutory appointments - Provide procedural and administrative support for statutory appointment processes.
   6. International participation - Support international engagements, study tours and inter-parliamentary activities of the Committee.
3. Quality assures committee records and reports - Review and quality assure Committee reports, minutes and related documentation for accuracy and compliance.
4. Committee Budgeting: Preparation of the budget, in line with the Committee APP and the Parliamentary budgetary process - Support the preparation and monitoring of the Committee budget in line with the APP and Parliamentary processes.

To qualify, you must have a minimum of:

• Masters degree in Military Sciences, Security Studies or a related field, and five (5) years’ experience in research, content analysis or advisory work, with demonstrated knowledge of national and international policy and legal frameworks in the defence, safety and security sectors. THIS POST IS SUBJECT TO A SIX-MONTH PROBARION PERIOD.

You must also demonstrate:

• Sound research, analytical and policy analysis skills.
• In-depth knowledge of the defence, military and national security sectors and their interrelatedness.
• Proven ability to analyse, synthesise and critically evaluate complex information.
• Knowledge of parliamentary policies, procedures and governance systems.
• Strategic and operational planning skills.
• Project management skills.
• Analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Creative problem-solving skills.
• Budget and financial analysis skills.
• Proven organisational and administrative skills.
• Sound oral and written communication skills.
• Computer literacy including MS Office packages.

We are looking for people who have the following attributes:

• Ability to operate effectively within a politically sensitive environment.
• Good interpersonal and creative skills.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Ability to work under sustained pressure.
• Stress Management.
• Performance and output focused.
• Willingness to work extraordinary working hours.

What you will experience working at Parliament:

In return for your hard work, we offer meaningful and engaging work. We are passionate about making a difference. Joining us means you will be tackling exciting challenges and working on innovative projects that have a positive impact on the nation and the world. We are committed to recognising and rewarding your dedication and high performance. We are invested in your growth and development and offer numerous growth-promoting opportunities and resources such as bursary scheme and numerous learning and development opportunities.

Our culture is collaborative and inclusive. We value teamwork and believe that together, we can achieve extraordinary results. When you join us, you will become part of a community that is driven by the need to serve the nation. Hard work is not all there is to us. Your well-being is important to us, and we promote work practices that enable a healthy work-life integration, supported by our hybrid work arrangements that combines in-office and remote work.
Our wellness program, including various sporting codes, is designed to promote emotional and physical well-being. In addition to the above, we offer a highly competitive remuneration package.

About Us

Working at the Parliament of South Africa is a unique opportunity like no other. No matter where you are placed in this premier institution, you will be part of a truly remarkable and exceptional team that serves the people of our great country and shapes the course of our nation's history every day. If promoting the public good is what drives you, if you are passionate about shaping a brighter future for the citizens of South Africa, and you are ready to be part of something extraordinary where you can shine and make a real impact on the people of our country, then Parliament is the place to be. If you are also a dynamic individual who values professionalism, openness, integrity, teamwork, accountability, responsiveness and shows mutual respect, we would like to hear from you. Our doors are open, and we are inviting you to become a part of this incredible journey.

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