Researcher - University of the Western Cape (Community Law Centre)

The Civil Society Prison Reform Initiative (CSPRI) is a research and advocacy project engaging in issues on prisoners' rights relating to their treatment and conditions of detention, from police custody to sentenced facilities. CSPRI is a project of the Community Law Centre, at the University of the Western Cape. We are seeking to appoint a full-time researcher, on a one year contract which is renewable subject to availability of donor funding.

Responsibilities:
- To conduct applied research on on-going projects and to assist in the drafting of research reports;
- To draft submissions on draft bills and policy proposals in South Africa, on the African continent, and to regional and international bodies;
- To assist in the monitoring of practices and policy changes in the criminal justice system in South Africa and on the African continent;
- To liaise and network with partners in the country and on the continent;
- To organise events;
- To assist in fundraising;
- To perform administrative tasks as required.

Qualifications and related skills:
- Post-graduate qualification in law, criminology, political science, economics, or other relevant social sciences;
- Proven ability to produce research (a writing sample should form part of the application);
- At least two years' experience conducting applied research, preferably in the criminal justice sector;
- Knowledge of national and international human rights law and a thorough understanding of issues pertaining to people deprived of their liberty and/or policing will be a distinct advantage;
- Proven administrative skills;
- Excellent written and communication skills;
- Willingness to travel;
- Capacity to work independently;
- Proficiency in French and/or Portuguese will be a distinct advantage.

In your application, you are encouraged to highlight your strengths and also include anything else that you feel may be pertinent to the selection panel in writing by Monday, 20 April 2015. Please include your cover letter, detailed curriculum vitae and a writing sample accompanied by the names and full contact particulars (i.e. e-mail & postal addresses, telephone & cell numbers) of at least three contactable referees, together with copies of your ID and highest qualification, to: Mr Clement Trout, Human Resources Department, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, or via e-mail to ctrout@uwc.ac.za (fax +27 21 959 1466, tel +27 21 959 9708). Foreign nationals wishing to apply must be in possession of a valid work permit for the duration of the contract appointment.

In line with the University's commitment to diversifying its workforce, applications from designated groups will be given priority consideration. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment, make an appointment at a lower level and seek additional candidates. We will communicate with short-listed candidates only.