Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is looking for an Economist /Researcher. You can see more about our work on this website.

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 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; and
• Provide mentorship to junior staff.

You will need:

• A post-graduate qualification (at least a Master’s degree) in Economics and at least three years of economic 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; and
• 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: 3 May 2024

Non-South African applicants should have authority to work in South Africa. The position is based in Pretoria, 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 Edmore at Edmore@tips.org.za. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed applicants only.

Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is looking for a Senior Research Economist for the JUST SA project. You can see more about our work on this website.

THE ROLE

Purpose

Working closely with the Just Transition Finance Lead, the Senior Research 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. This is 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 finance to participate in ground-breaking research on the Just Transition in South Africa.

Scope of work

• Design and implement core activities on Just Transition financing in collaboration with the Just Transition Finance Lead.

• Drive and coordinate research-focused activities aimed at:
  • improving and expanding South Africa’s ability to identify what counts as a just transition investment;
  • rethinking approaches to project pipeline development and technical assistance;
  • supporting the development of a pipeline of JT projects by December 2024; and,
  • supporting the development of innovative financial instruments and mechanisms that are fit for purpose and meet just transition project needs in the South African context.

• Undertake a variety of socialisation activities to support the implementation and financing of the Just Transition Framework on a national scale.

• Participate in relevant conferences and forums, incl. webinars, networking events, study trips, etc.

Qualifications & expertise

• At least a Masters level degree in Economics, Development Finance or similar
• Minimum five years of financial/economic research and/or policy experience
• Outstanding research skills and expertise
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of financial markets, the South African financial ecosystem and an interest in climate finance
• Good understanding of the current processes geared towards funding the energy transition in South Africa (e.g., The Just Energy Transition Partnership, the Climate Investment Funds, Accelerating Coal Transition Investment Plan, the Eskom Just Energy Transition Project in South Africa and the Presidential Climate Commission’s Just Transition Framework
• Excellent writing, presentation and communication skills in English
• High level of computer literacy in MS Office, incl. 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

 Location

Pretoria/Hybrid

Staff are expected to be in the office two days per week. Alternative arrangements could be considered for candidates based outside of Gauteng.

 Closing date:

21 April 2024

Please send your CV and 1-page cover letter to esteb@tips.org.za. For further information, go to www.tips.org.za

Please accept your application as unsuccessful if you have not heard from us by 15 May 2024.

Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is looking for a Centre Manager for the Just Transition Labour Centre. You can see more about our work on this website.

Overview

Climate change, the energy transition and other policies required to respond to the climate crisis entail substantial economic and plant-level restructuring. That will inevitably impose significant capacity burdens on unions and their members to engage on a variety of levels, from enterprise negotiations to community engagement and mobilisation to national and provincial policy development. The Just Transition Labour Centre, which has been established by the main Trade Union Federations in South Africa, will support the labour movement in engagements on the climate crisis and just transition. 

Focused work is now needed by this centre to undertake research; engage with workers, trade unions and communities; develop effective communication on the climate crisis and just transition; and support the formulation of worker positions on the climate crisis and just transition. 

The centre will for the first three years be housed at TIPS, after which it will operate as an independent entity with governance and oversight by the main Trade Union Federations.

As the Just Transition Labour Centre Manager, you will oversee the centre and ensure the outputs of the centre are achieved. The successful candidate will report to the TIPS Executive Director and will be accountable to the steering committee comprised of the main Trade Union Federations.

Scope of Work

As a Just Transition Labour Centre Manager at TIPS, you will be responsible for the following:

1. Oversight over the centre.

• Implement and embed consistent project planning, management, monitoring and reporting protocols.
• Lead, motivate and coordinate the efforts of researchers and team members, establish daily, weekly, and monthly delivery and reporting requirements, and oversee and evaluate performance.

• Standardised meeting management, reporting, and tracking of confirmed actions.
• Progress reviews and oversight – with tracking of delivery against targets.
• Weekly engagements.
• Knowledge management.
• Identifying and troubleshooting challenges – with confirmation of escalation mechanisms.
• Providing necessary support/ coaching of team members to aid delivery.

• Work with the finance and HR team at TIPS to ensure clear and transparent financial management of the centre, and recruitment and management of centre staff.

2.       Lead the design and implementation of following activities:

• Research to support worker engagement on the climate crisis and just transition.
• Support dialogue and engagement with workers and unions.
• Ensure effective communication with workers and unions on the climate crisis and just transition.
• Collaborate with union officials and worker representatives to formulate and develop union positions on the climate crisis and just transition.

Qualifications, Experience, Qualities and Competences Required

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Possess a strong record of accomplishment with significant experience (at least ten years) in managing programmes and projects within a federation, trade union and/or research environment – applying solid project planning and execution skills, and ensuring delivery against time, quality and budget/ resource parameters.
• Apply prior project management experience in implementing and where necessary, refining project management systems and tools to support the outputs of the centre.
• Be experienced in establishing, leading, managing and co-ordinating teams made up of various resources, including seconded resources, consultants and individuals who may not necessarily be direct reports.
• Maintain a nuanced understanding of different stakeholders’ needs and priorities, economic development principles, and transformation imperatives.
• Be skilled in liaising with senior leaders, officials and workers across trade unions and federations – maintaining effective working relationships across different stakeholder categories.
• Possess outstanding communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex issues with, motivate and manage diverse stakeholders – and to write and present in a clear, direct manner.
• Be suitably qualified to operate in a complex project environment.
• Have a Master’s qualification or equivalent experience.

Qualities of candidates who will considered for this role include the following:

• A systems-thinker who is able to see the big picture, and draw out patterns, insights and challenges, to support resolution.
• Ability to prioritise, and to attend to details when tracking and overseeing delivery.
• An action-orientation and a ‘can-do’ approach to delivery and challenges that may arise.
• Proactive problem-solving capabilities.
• Able to motivate, rally and draw support from a range of stakeholders, to aid delivery – while also managing own performance, as a self-starter.
• A team player and motivator – able to encourage, foster collaboration and draw on the collective strengths of those within the team.
• Strengths in championing open communication focused on delivery and speedy resolution of issues.

Summary of Key Responsibility Areas (KRA)

The role is expected to be based in Pretoria, with aspects of delivery undertaken in Mpumalanga and virtually.

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: 23 April 2024

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

To apply, please send a short CV, a cover letter highlighting your interest for the position and how you match the requirements via e-mail to Edmore at Edmore@tips.org.za. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed applicants only.