Job Description

Job Advert Summary

The HSRC invites applications for a Senior Research Manager to support and coordinate research programmes focused on BRICS, Africa and the Global South. The role provides programme-level leadership, supporting research conceptualisation, implementation, and partnership development, while ensuring delivery quality and alignment with institutional priorities. The Senior Research Manager will work closely with research executives, senior scholars and external partners to strengthen South-South collaboration, contribute to high-impact research outputs and position the HSRC as a trusted knowledge partner in regional and global policy processes.





Within Africa, BRICS, and the Global South (ABGS) Division, the BRICS Centre and the Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) drive the HSRC's global and pan-African research and partnership agenda. Guided by the BRICS Long-Term Research Agenda, the BRICS Centre focuses on strategic priorities such as eradicating poverty, addressing inequality, promoting sustainable urbanisation, and leveraging science and technology for development. 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, the ABGS division 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.

SENIOR RESEARCH MANAGER

(Ref. No. ARM: ABGS 01/26)

Permanent Appointment

Pretoria Based

Minimum Requirements

A relevant Master's degree in Social Sciences or a related field. At least six (6) years of experience in research management within a research policy or development environment, including evidence of scholarly publications record. Demonstrated experience in managing and coordinating research programmes. Proven success in managing internal and externally funded research initiatives. Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and institutional partners. Sound understanding of research governance, ethics and compliance frameworks Strong coordination, planning, and reporting skills. Excellent written, verbal, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Added Advantage

Experience working in Africa, BRICS, or Global South research contexts. Exposure to international research partnerships, science diplomacy, or development policy processes. Track record of supporting research impact and policy engagement.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide programme-level coordination and management for research initiatives focused on BRICS Africa and the Global South Support the design, planning, and implementation of multidisciplinary research programmes and projects Coordinate delivery timelines, milestones, and outputs in collaboration with research leads Contribute to proposal development, funding coordination, and sustainability of the research portfolio Manage internal and external funding requirements, including reporting and compliance Support research governance processes, including ethics, quality assurance and institutional approvals Build and maintain strategic partnerships with research institutions, policy actors and multilateral platforms across Africa and the Global South Contribute to research, impact policy engagement, dissemination and knowledge translation activities * Represent the programme in internal coordination platforms and selected external engagements