Job Description

Within the Africa, BRICS, and the Global South (ABGS) Division, the Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) drives the HSRC's Pan-African research and partnership agenda. AISA serves as a catalyst for policy-relevant, interdisciplinary, and impactful research that deepens Africa's collective capacity to address development challenges, including inequality, poverty, unemployment, and marginalisation. In doing so, AISA supports the implementation of the HSRC's 2025-2030 Strategic Plan and South Africa's African Agenda, in alignment with the DSI's Africa Strategy, SADC's RISDP 2020-2030, Agenda 2063, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
AISA is seeking to appoint a visionary and experienced academic leader as:
SENIOR RESEARCH DIRECTOR: AISA
(Ref. No. HA: AISA 07/25)
Permanent Appointment
Minimum Requirements

• A PhD in a relevant discipline in the social sciences, humanities, or African studies.
• At least 10 years of senior research and leadership experience, including five years at a director or professor-equivalent level.
• A strong record of scholarly publishing, with a significant number in local and international peer-reviewed journals.
• Proven success in research leadership, strategic planning, and organisational management.
• Experience in securing and managing large-scale research grants and partnerships, particularly those involving African and multilateral stakeholders.
• Demonstrated interest and expertise in African development, Pan-African policy frameworks, and knowledge diplomacy.
• Ability to lead interdisciplinary teams and deliver results in complex, fast-paced environments.
• Working knowledge of STATA, SPSS, NVivo, AtlasTI or similar packages is an advantage.
• Fluency in English and at least one other African language is highly desirable.

• Lead and oversee AISA's research, partnerships, and implementation support in alignment with HSRC's 2025-2030 strategy, with a strong emphasis on regional integration, development justice, and science diplomacy.
• Conceptualise and implement innovative, interdisciplinary research programmes that contribute to the HSRC's impact agenda and advance inclusive knowledge systems across the African continent.
• Produce high-quality research outputs, including policy briefs, working papers, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Foster and manage strategic partnerships with African governments, universities, research councils, multilateral agencies, and civil society actors.
• Mobilise research funding and steward large-scale, multi-country and multi-stakeholder projects.
• Support the generation, analysis, and use of spatial and other data relevant to Africa's development.
• Champion knowledge translation and policy uptake, representing AISA and the HSRC in high-level forums across the continent and globally.
• Provide strategic leadership, mentorship, and performance management to a diverse and multidisciplinary research team.
• Contribute to internal governance, organisational development, and compliance with the HSRC's operational policies and national legislation.