Vacancies

The Equal Education Law Centre is hiring a head of research and advocacy to join our team.

About the EELC and the Researcher position

We are a team of activists and activist lawyers working to advance the struggle for quality and equality in early childhood development (ECD) and basic education, through legal research, advocacy and strategic litigation. We are looking for a senior researcher who is passionate about social justice, ECD, education and the law to lead our research and advocacy team. Your role will involve leading our research work alongside the research team; monitoring the yearly research plan and evaluating the impact of our research work. You will also be directly involved in conducting quantitative, qualitative and desktop research on a range of topics related to ECD and basic education, including research to inform submissions on law and policy reform and research to inform and support litigation. You would also be responsible

Who should apply:

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Undergraduate qualification in education, law, social sciences or a related field;
• 7-10 years’ minimum post-qualification research experience (essential), which should

include;

• Demonstrated qualitative research track record, including design of research data collection tools;
• Experience of different research methodologies;
• Solid understanding of the ECD and basic education landscape in South Africa;
• Demonstrated expertise in researching and analysing issues in the ECD and/or basic education sector, preferably including the ECD legislative and policy environment;
• Experience using research to inform and advance advocacy strategies (essential);
• Exceptional writing skills, including an ability to write for a range of different audiences;
• Excellent skills in data synthesis and analysis;
• Demonstrated expertise in determining a research agenda, planning and managing research projects as well as managing and developing a research team;
• Based in the Western Cape or able to relocate; and
• Experience leading a team and or supervision experience.

The EELC conducts its recruitment with a commitment to transformation.

How to apply

Email your application to info@eelawcentre.org.za with the subject heading “Head of Research Application”.

Applications must include

• A motivation letter and full curriculum vitae
• Contact details for two professional references
• A sample of written work authored by you, not more than 3 years ago and no more than 20 pages in length.

Applications close Thursday 31 October 2024

Opportunity closing date:

31 October 2024

Opportunity type:

2-year full-time contract

The Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) is a registered law clinic whose staff of social justice lawyers specializes in education law and policy, through conducting public interest litigation, legal research and advocacy, and community lawyering, to advance the right to equitable, safe, and quality basic education in South Africa. The EELC also aims to develop young, skilled attorneys and law graduates in public interest litigation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in strategic litigation cases. This includes conducting legal research, as well as writing,
• sorting, filing and paginating pleadings, briefs, legal opinions, and other court documents, and
• attending court and other hearings
• Attend to, consult with and assist clients who attend EELC’s daily walk-in clinic
• Liaise with clients, counsel, and partner organizations
• Conduct research in support of advocacy and litigation activities
• Assist in the drafting of research reports
• Provide input into and assist with drafting submissions on laws and legislative reform
• Assist with community engagement programmes
• Represent EELC in civil society and public forums
• Generally, support EELC’s attorneys and the effective operation of the Centre’s programmes.

Qualification, skills, and experience:

• An LLB degree (completed by January 2025)
• A demonstrated interest in human rights work and social justice
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Analytical skills, good presentation skills, and attention to detail
• Proficiency in other South African languages will be an advantage
• Computer literacy and excellent legal research skills.

How to apply

Please send the following documents to info@eelawcentre.org.za with the subject “Candidate Attorney 2025 application”.

• A covering letter detailing your interest in human rights, social justice, and the work of the

EELC, and motivating why you have the necessary motivation, qualifications, skills and

experience for this position.

• A detailed CV that includes the details of two (2) contactable references.

Please do not submit any other documents. Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide any further documents as may be required.

Please note that we are looking for candidates who wish to pursue a career in social justice, rather than just securing articles.

Individuals from previously and currently disadvantaged groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you have not been contacted by 15 November 2024, please consider your application to have been unsuccessful.

For more about the Equal Education Law Centre, refer to www.eelawcentre.org.za