ISS Senior Researcher, Justice and Violence Prevention – South Africa Opportunity|Deadline 04 Sept 2026
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) is inviting applications for a Senior Researcher, Justice and Violence Prevention to join its Pretoria-based team in South Africa. The successful candidate will contribute to an important research project examining the history and contemporary experience of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in South Africa.
The position offers an opportunity for an experienced researcher to combine qualitative research, policy engagement and practical work with civil society and service providers to improve support for survivors of gender-based violence.
About the Opportunity
The Senior Researcher will join the ISS Justice and Violence Prevention team and work on South Africa’s Hidden War (SAHW): Histories of Sexual and Gender-based Violence from Apartheid to the Present.
The project is being undertaken in partnership with the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom and funded by the university. It explores how sexual and gender-based violence has been understood, experienced and addressed in South Africa during both the apartheid and post-apartheid periods.
A key purpose of the research is to understand how historical evidence can contribute to improving services available to survivors of gender-based violence and their families.
Approximately 40% of the role will focus on research and writing, while the remaining 60% will focus on improving policy and practice.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will design and conduct a participatory research case study involving life-history interviews with women and other survivors of gender-based violence.
They will analyse qualitative interviews to identify patterns, continuities and changes in experiences of violence, help-seeking, engagement with service providers and recovery over time.
The Senior Researcher will also work with ISS and its partners to translate findings into practical improvements in access to services for survivors and their families.
Other responsibilities include:
- Producing and contributing to academic research publications
- Developing policy briefs, practitioner guidance, toolkits and training materials
- Creating public-facing resources such as infographics
- Organising and facilitating workshops and stakeholder meetings
- Working with research, policy and practitioner partners
- Gathering evidence of changes in policy, practice and services resulting from the research
- Supporting assessment and documentation of project impact
- Representing the project at relevant meetings and ISS events
- Presenting research findings at national and international conferences
The role therefore combines academic research with meaningful engagement outside the university environment.
Qualifications and Experience
ISS is seeking a highly qualified researcher with a PhD in a relevant discipline.
Relevant fields may include:
- History
- Sociology
- Gender studies
- Anthropology
- Political science
- Law
- Public health
- A related discipline
Applicants should have evidence of producing high-quality written research appropriate to their career stage and experience conducting qualitative interviews and qualitative data analysis.
Demonstrated knowledge of research concerning sexual and gender-based violence or a closely related area is required.
Candidates should also have experience developing collaborative relationships with external organizations, community groups or public-sector partners.
An important part of the position involves communicating research findings to non-academic audiences. Applicants should therefore be able to translate complex research into practical policy and programming recommendations.
Experience obtaining ethical approval and managing sensitive research data will also be important because the project involves engagement with survivors and sensitive information.
Strong organizational skills, independence, emotional intelligence and the ability to manage competing priorities are expected.
Importantly, candidates must be fluent in at least one South African language other than English and able to conduct interviews in that language.
Contract and Working Arrangements
The position is based at ISS in Pretoria, South Africa, although remote working may be possible depending on project and fieldwork requirements.
The role requires regular travel within South Africa, together with occasional international travel.
The contract will run for 30 months and may be renewed depending on available funding and satisfactory performance.
This makes the position particularly attractive for researchers seeking a longer-term opportunity to contribute to an internationally connected research and policy project.
Application Requirements
Applicants should submit their application by email and provide the required supporting documents.
Applications must include:
- An updated CV
- A cover letter or supporting statement
- A writing sample of no more than 12,000 words, preferably a published work
- Contact details for at least three referees
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Informal enquiries about the role can be directed to the project’s Principal Investigator at the University of Exeter.
Closing Date
The deadline for applications is 4 September 2026.
Applicants interested in this opportunity should ensure that their application clearly demonstrates their experience in qualitative research, sexual and gender-based violence, stakeholder engagement, sensitive-data management and translating research into policy and practice.
Applications should be sent to pretoriajobs@issafrica.org.
Why This Role Matters
Sexual and gender-based violence remains a major social and policy challenge, and understanding its historical roots can help inform more effective responses today.
This Senior Researcher position offers an opportunity to contribute to research that goes beyond academic publication. By connecting historical evidence with service providers, civil society organizations, policymakers and practitioners, the project aims to generate knowledge that can improve the experiences and support available to survivors.
For researchers with a PhD, strong qualitative research experience, knowledge of SGBV and the ability to work across academic and policy environments, this could be a significant opportunity to contribute to meaningful change in South Africa.
Application deadline: 4 September 2026.
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