KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION SERVICES DIVISION

RESEARCHER: FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND ENVIRONMENT

We offer a market and industry competitive total to cost 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 the Researcher, you will provide strategic research support to Members and Committees in support of their oversight, legislative, public and international participation functions, as well as specialised research support to Senior Management of Parliament.

Your key responsibilities will be:

a) Conduct Research

• Respond to research needs of clients
• Design and manage research projects to objectively answer specific questions
• Conduct planning meeting(s) to develop Project Plan and develop conceptual framework for research papers/reports

b) Strategic research support and planning

• Participate in Committee Business Planning processes in order to inform business plan programme
• Regularly attend Committee meetings and provide research input/advice as requested
• Through proactive research identify key issues within sector that should be brought to Committee’s attention for purposes of informing oversight, monitoring and legislative functions
• Participate in Unit publications to highlight strategic priorities for sector for purposes of informing oversight, monitoring and legislative functions

c) Oversight support, public and international participation

• Provide research, analysis and information support in relation to oversight visits, study tours, sectoral parliaments and parliamentary projects
• Prepare, in proactive manner, briefing documents for oversight visits, study tours and meeting of international parliamentary fora
• Participate in conceptualisation process for sectoral parliaments and parliamentary projects
• Prepare concept documents for sectoral parliaments and parliamentary projects
• Provide on-site research support to members of delegations to regional and international parliamentary fora, such as the IPU, CPA, PAP and SADC-PF
• Draft reports on meetings of regional parliamentary fora, such as the PAP and SADC-PF
• Provide content support at sectoral parliaments when required

d) Operational procedure and sector specialisation

• Keep abreast of policy and legislative developments, as well as the response of key role-players (such as civil society bodies) to new developments
• Enhance specialist knowledge and keep abreast of developments in sector through internal and external seminars, workshops, conferences, training and contacts/stakeholders
• Submit monthly report timeously in approved format inclusion in the Unit’s month report
• Participate in Parliament’s Performance management system

e) Quality control and information dissemination

• Quality control documents according to Unit Standards and Procedure
• Disseminate documents according to Units Standards and Procedure
• Present recommendations and proposals based on research finding and within the existing policy and legislative frameworks to Presiding Officers, Senior Management, delegates and colleagues

To qualify, you must have:

Applicants should be in possession of Matric and an Honours Degree (Equivalent to NQF level 8) in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, Ecology, Forestry, Sustainability, Wildlife Management or a related field. This should be coupled with at least 3 years’ relevant research experience within a natural resource governance and policy space, with strong written and verbal communication skills. Applicants should display a clear understanding of environmental governance, sustainable resource management, the legislative and oversight functions of Parliament, as well as the roles and responsibilities of different spheres of government in environmental management.

You must also demonstrate:

• Sectoral specific knowledge
• An understanding of government processes
• Research experience
• Research methods
• Project Management
• Parliamentary processes and systems

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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