Department: Knowledge and Information Services
Location: Parliament of the Republic of South Africa
Package: Market-competitive total cost to company (TCTC) remuneration
Join the Heart of South African Democracy
The Parliament of the Republic of South Africa stands as one of the most prestigious and critical institutions in the nation. It is entrusted with the legislative authority of South Africa and holds the exclusive constitutional mandate to create, amend, or repeal national legislation. Yet, Parliament is not merely an institution of lawmaking—it is the vibrant centre of our democratic society, where elected representatives debate pressing issues, hold the Executive accountable, and shape the policies that impact every South African.
Parliament is made up of two complementary Houses: the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). Each has a constitutionally defined role and function, but both work together to promote and uphold the values of our democratic Constitution. These include human dignity, equality, non-racialism, non-sexism, freedom, and respect for human rights.
It is within this context that we invite applications from qualified and passionate individuals to serve as a Researcher: Gender and Equality in our Knowledge and Information Services Division.
Purpose of the Role
The role of Researcher: Gender and Equality is central to the support of Parliament’s legislative, oversight, and public participation functions, particularly concerning gender-related issues. You will provide comprehensive, policy-aligned, and research-driven insights to Members of Parliament (MPs), Committees, and Senior Management, ensuring informed decision-making and the promotion of gender equality across all spheres of governance.
This role will also involve dedicated research support to the Multi-Party Women’s Caucus, contributing to their agenda of advancing women’s rights, gender justice, and inclusive legislation.
Key Responsibilities
As a Researcher, you will be expected to perform the following duties, which are broadly categorised into functional areas:
1. Conducting Research
- Respond to immediate and long-term research needs of Members, Committees, and senior stakeholders.
- Design, plan, and manage end-to-end research projects tailored to specific parliamentary needs.
- Conduct initial planning meetings and create conceptual frameworks that will guide research activities.
- Collect data from credible, diverse, and inclusive sources, ensuring accuracy and validity.
- Analyse and interpret research findings within the legislative, policy, and political contexts.
- Participate in commissioned research, including briefing service providers and ensuring compliance with objectives.
- Coordinate collaborative research initiatives across various knowledge clusters and thematic areas.
2. Strategic Research Support and Planning
- Engage in the Committee Business Planning process to align research support with legislative and oversight goals.
- Provide continuous research support during Committee meetings, offering both reactive and proactive input.
- Attend and contribute to Committee Management Meetings, implementing tasks assigned to the research unit.
- Through continuous sectoral scanning, identify and flag emerging gender-related issues requiring Committee attention.
- Contribute to Unit publications, papers, and briefings designed to shape Parliament’s strategic understanding of gender equality trends.
3. Oversight, Public and International Participation
- Support oversight visits, sectoral parliaments, and study tours through briefing materials and real-time research support.
- Prepare detailed and contextual briefing documents for Members attending international parliamentary forums such as:
- Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
- Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)
- Pan-African Parliament (PAP)
- SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF)
- Assist with conceptualising gender-focused programmes and draft concept documents to support these initiatives.
- Provide on-the-ground research and advisory support during regional and global engagements.
- Draft comprehensive reports based on participation in regional and international gender forums.
4. Operational Procedures and Sectoral Specialisation
- Monitor developments in gender equality legislation, policy frameworks, civil society initiatives, and global gender trends.
- Identify gaps in legislation and suggest areas for future research or policy development.
- Enhance your expertise in the gender and equality sector by attending workshops, academic seminars, stakeholder consultations, and government briefings.
- Actively engage in staff development initiatives and contribute to team-building and business planning efforts.
- Ensure timely and accurate submission of monthly reports using approved institutional formats.
- Participate in cross-divisional projects, institutional events, and internal research collaborations.
- Apply project management methodologies, ICT tools, and research software to enhance outputs.
5. Quality Control and Information Dissemination
- Identify appropriate stakeholders and recipients for all proactive gender-related research outputs.
- Ensure that all documents meet the quality, editorial, and content standards as prescribed by the Research Unit.
- Disseminate findings to relevant audiences using official channels, briefings, and presentations.
- Present evidence-based recommendations to Parliament’s leadership, including Presiding Officers, Committee Chairs, Senior Management, and cross-functional teams.
Minimum Requirements
To be considered for this post, you must meet the following criteria:
- Educational Qualifications:
- Matric (Senior Certificate)
- An Honours Degree (NQF Level 8) in any of the following or related disciplines:
- Social Sciences
- Gender Studies
- Political Science
- Development Studies
- Public Policy
- Professional Experience:
- A minimum of three (3) years of research experience, with a strong focus on gender-related matters, especially in policy or legislative settings.
- Proven experience producing research outputs in support of governance, public participation, or legislative processes.
- Knowledge & Skills:
- Sound understanding of gender equality legislation, policy instruments, and frameworks in South Africa and globally.
- In-depth knowledge of the Multi-Party Women’s Caucus and its role in promoting gender-sensitive governance.
- Familiarity with Parliamentary processes, structures, and oversight mechanisms.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
- Competence in research design, data analysis, report writing, and presentation.
- Ability to manage projects and deliver research outputs under tight deadlines.
Additional Competencies
Candidates must also demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:
- Sector-specific expertise on gender justice and equality
- Governmental, legislative, and policy-making processes
- Qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies
- Strategic thinking and analytical acumen
- Team collaboration and stakeholder engagement
Why Join the Parliament of South Africa?
At Parliament, we don’t just offer a job—we offer a purpose. By joining our team, you’ll play a crucial role in building a democratic, inclusive, and equitable South Africa. You will have the chance to:
- Be part of high-impact, meaningful research that influences national legislation and public policy.
- Work on ground-breaking projects that elevate gender rights and human dignity.
- Contribute to the transformation of society through informed and inclusive research initiatives.
- Enjoy a workplace that values innovation, collaboration, and excellence.
Parliament is committed to recognising and rewarding high performance. We offer:
- Competitive remuneration
- A generous bursary and learning support programme
- A flexible hybrid work model for work-life balance
- Access to employee wellness programmes and recreational activities
- A culture grounded in professionalism, openness, accountability, and respect
About Us
The Parliament of the Republic of South Africa is not just a place of work—it is a powerful institution where committed individuals shape the nation’s laws and policies. Every day, our teams make a direct impact on millions of lives. If you’re driven by public service, passionate about making South Africa a better place, and ready to bring your best to a values-driven institution—this is your opportunity.
We are looking for individuals who believe in service, responsibility, equality, and who are committed to excellence and ethical leadership. If you embody these values, we want to hear from you.
To Apply, Please Select the Appropriate Button Below:
Person that has never been employed by Parliament
Person that was previously employed by Parliament including previously employed Interns and existing Interns
CLOSING DATE: 17 July 2025
“Parliamentary Services Administration promotes and applies the principles of Affirmative Action and equal opportunities”.