Are you eager to contribute your expertise in futures studies, systemic innovation, systems change and anticipatory governance to a dynamic and influential organisation? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as a Senior Researcher at SAIIA.
Position: Senior Researcher: Futures and Systemic Innovation (SRFP0224)
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Contract: Two-year contract with possibility of renewal based on performance and funding
Salary: R720k-R840k p.a.
As a Futures and Systemic Innovation Senior Researcher, you will join our SAIIA Futures Programme team and play a vital role in driving our organisation’s strategic foresight, systemic innovation and anticipatory governance research themes. You will have the opportunity to lead existing projects and contribute to the application of futures thinking and systems thinking to complex interrelated problems across various fields and disciplines. Additionally, you will work closely with the Programme Head to engage in fundraising activities to secure additional projects that align with our research themes and policy windows.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Research and Innovation:
- Conduct quality research and produce written outputs independently (as agreed with Programme Head) and develop appropriate dissemination strategies.
- Provide professional and strategic research input to research conceptualisation, input or advice to peers, input into the longer-term sustainability of research themes and topics to improve research impact of SAIIA.
- Pursue proposed partnership/research network agreements along with Programme Head.
- Utilise a range of foresight methodologies, futures thinking frameworks, and systems thinking methods to explore complex policy problems and generate innovative solution and contribute to thought leadership.
- Apply creative and innovative approaches in conducting research over multiple future time horizons utilising futures studies, strategic foresight, and systemic change approaches and methods.
- Conduct environmental and horizon scanning on research topics highlighting emerging drivers of change, trends, weak signals, wild cards and potential disruptors and opportunities that may shape African futures.
Lead Projects and Policy Entrepreneurship:
- Lead projects in the research inception, design, execution, policy dialogue/implementation, reporting and dissemination of initiatives that promote futures literacy systemic innovation and anticipatory governance.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement strategic policy initiatives aimed at fostering creativity and innovation solutions to complex policy problems.
- Facilitate relevant workshops policy dialogue, seminars, and foresight and system thinking exercises and strategically engage with key stakeholders (internal and external) in consultation with Programme Head to build partnerships, to increase profile of programme, to identify funding and business opportunities, and to ensure effective communication and cooperation and flow of information.
- Develop innovative interventions based on research findings to address complex policy challenges.
- Experiment and prototype policy options using action research methods.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication:
- Engage with key stakeholders, policymakers, experts, and thought leaders to gather diverse perspectives and integrate them into policy proposals.
- Lead research projects to contribute to thought leadership through publications, conference presentations, and other communication channels.
- Contribute to the development of communication strategies that promote creative and innovative approaches to policymaking.
Fundraising, Capacity Building and Collaboration:
- Actively pursue funding opportunities and secure funding to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of SAIIA, the programme and its activities.
- Draft and submit research project funding proposals according to funder policies and procedures.
- Contribute to a culture of creativity and innovation within SAIIA by actively participate in brainstorming sessions, idea generation, and knowledge sharing.
- Attend training sessions and workshops on futures thinking, systems thinking, and innovative approaches to problemsolving for continuous learning and development.
- Support collaboration with internal and external partners to exchange knowledge and emerging practices in futures thinking, systemic innovation and anticipatory governance to address complex adaptive systems challenges.
- Support researchers, interns and junior staff members in developing their research and project management skills.
QUALIFICATIONS, WORK EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
Education:
- PhD degree in futures studies or applied systems thinking would be preferable, or a relevant field in the human and social sciences such as sustainable development, environmental studies, international development, management sciences, international relations, behavioural science, development studies, or related transdisciplinary fields of study required. Completed PhD degree within the last 2 years.
- Minimum of a Masters degree with significant research experience in applied futures and systems research.
Work Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years relevant work experience, strong publication record and leading research projects is required.
- Proven content expertise relating to SAIIA Futures Programme research themes, including strategic foresight, systems change and systemic innovation, anticipatory governance applied to climate change/green economy/sustainability transitions, public sector development, economic diplomacy, foreign policy, African governance and public policy.
- Proven facilitation experience in foresight competencies (framing, scanning, futuring, visioning, designing, adapting) and futures methods such as futures literacy, horizon scanning, systems mapping, causal layered analysis, 2×2 scenario matrix, scenario planning, futures wheel, strategic planning, Three Horizons Framework, action research, stakeholder analysis, risk analysis and other systems thinking methods.
- Experience in research in fields such as African futures of climate, just transitions, energy, digitalisation, geopolitics, public policy, youth, skills development, post-school education and training will be beneficial.
- Strong experience and networks within United Nations, African Union, SADC secretariat, regional bodies, national departments, private sector, INGO’s and international funders will be considered favourably.
- Prior experience working in academia, or a public policy think tank or a research-intensive environment is advantageous.
Skills:
- Experience in conducting policy research, with a strong focus on strategic foresight, futures studies, and systemic innovation.
- In-depth knowledge of foresight methodologies, futures thinking frameworks, applied complexity, and systems thinking.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex policy landscapes and synthesise information from diverse sources.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas to both technical and nontechnical audiences, including solid fundraising experience.
- Proficient use of Microsoft Office productivity tools (e.g., Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, Word) and project management tools (e.g., Asana, Zoom, Teams, Google Sheets/Forms, MS SharePoint, Miro) are desirable.
To learn more about SAIIA and its research agenda, please visit our website at www.saiia.org.za
Application Process
Candidates for this position must submit a cover letter clearly stating why they believe they are the best candidate for this position and a comprehensive CV with contact details of 3 references to, recruitment@saiia.org.za. Please use the position title and reference number in the subject line: Senior Researcher: Futures and Systemic Innovation (SRFP0224).
Applications close on 15 March 2024.
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be called in for an interview.
Preference will be given to South African citizens and employment equity candidates. SAIIA reserves the right not to make an appointment.