The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) is Hiring a JET (Senior) Researcher & Project Lead: Hybrid Role in Johannesburg, Apply by 10 December 2025
JET (Senior) Researcher & Project Lead
Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) – Johannesburg (Hybrid)
Closing Date: 10 December 2025
The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) is seeking an experienced and committed researcher to lead its Just Energy Transition (JET) Project, a flagship initiative shaping green industrial policy and South African energy policy.
This role provides an opportunity to influence national debates, strengthen evidence-based advocacy, and contribute to a just, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable economy. The position may be filled at either Senior Researcher or Researcher level.
Job Purpose
The JET (Senior) Researcher and Project Lead drives research and policy engagement on green industrial policy and South Africa’s evolving energy landscape. The goal of this work is to advance a just transition that ensures environmental sustainability while protecting workers, supporting affected communities, promoting decent work, reducing poverty, and ensuring access to reliable and affordable renewable energy.
The ideal candidate is a mission-driven researcher with deep thematic expertise in just transitions, industrial policy, and energy policy—particularly within the South African context. They value equity, social justice, and collaborative research practice.
Main Responsibilities
Research Leadership
- Design and conduct primary and secondary research across the project’s core themes.
- Produce high-quality outputs, including Research Reports, Working Papers, journal articles, and accessible summaries.
- Provide oversight and intellectual guidance for all green industrial policy and South African energy systems work.
- Review, edit, and strengthen research outputs developed by IEJ teams or external consultants.
- Lead and convene research and policy events—workshops, conferences, symposiums—to deepen dialogue and disseminate findings.
- Represent the IEJ at conferences, academic gatherings, and sector convenings.
Advocacy & External Engagement
- Conduct media engagements, including radio and television interviews, to communicate project findings.
- Represent IEJ in meetings with government officials, unions, civil society organizations, and other national or international stakeholders.
- Oversee all advocacy activities associated with the JET project.
- Build and maintain partnerships with trade unions, civil society platforms, and relevant stakeholders to advance shared goals.
- Participate actively in forums that shape South Africa’s just transition trajectory.
Strategic Contributions
- Contribute to shaping IEJ’s positions on emerging political, policy, and strategic issues.
- Craft key messages and contribute to communication materials, including visual content tied to the JET program.
- Work closely with IEJ leadership to strengthen the organization’s strategic influence in the energy and industrial policy landscape.
Mentoring & Team Development
- Support capacity building for junior researchers through coaching, reviewing work, and providing constructive guidance.
- Mentor team members to enhance research quality, thought leadership, and publication skills.
Project Management & Donor Relations
- Prepare and implement detailed project plans, ensuring effective delivery aligned with timelines and objectives.
- Conduct line management of junior project staff.
- Prepare project progress reports and donor narrative reports.
- Lead donor calls for applications and collaborate on fundraising proposals.
Skills & Experience Required
- PhD (Senior Researcher) or Master’s degree (Researcher) in energy policy, economics, political economy, finance, or social sciences—or equivalent expertise.
- Demonstrated research excellence with published work.
- Thematic expertise in just energy transitions, green industrialisation, or related fields.
- Strong analytical, writing, and policy communication skills.
- Ability to engage confidently with media and external stakeholders.
- Experience in project planning and staff management.
- Commitment to IEJ’s mission and values.
- High proficiency in MS Outlook, Word, and Excel.
- Strong interpersonal skills, problem-solving capacity, strategic thinking, and resilience.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and perform well in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong presentation and facilitation skills.
About the Just Energy Transition Project
IEJ’s Just Energy Transition work advances climate policy rooted in human rights, gender justice, and social transformation, while supporting economic policies that prioritise environmental sustainability. The project collaborates closely with trade unions to promote alternative policy paths that support job creation while pursuing renewable energy goals.
Core pillars of the project include:
- Green Industrial Policy as a catalyst for transformative economic change, integrating industrial restructuring, labour dynamics, social reproduction, and global financial systems.
- Ensuring workers and communities are owners and beneficiaries of green industrialisation processes.
- Localising manufacturing of renewable energy components and technologies.
- Developing environmentally sustainable sectors to support industrial growth and diversification.
- Leveraging Africa’s critical mineral resources to benefit long-term industrialisation strategies.
- Building regulatory and institutional frameworks that align with green industrialisation and broad-based economic diversification.
Contract, Salary & Location
- Contract: Full-time, three-year contract with potential extension (funding-dependent).
- Salary (2026 Levels):
- Senior Researcher: R916 321 – R1 145 401 TCTC
- Researcher: R737 241 – R909 051 TCTC
- Location: Braamfontein, Johannesburg (Hybrid: in-office Tuesdays & Thursdays).
The IEJ is committed to gender and racial equity and incorporates these principles into its hiring practices.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the provided application platform. Queries can be directed to applications@iej.org.za, though applications sent via email will not be accepted.
