Equal Education is a movement of learners, parents, teachers and community members working for quality and equality in South African education, through analysis and activism. Equal Education is organised in five provinces: Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and the Western Cape. Equal Education works by identifying systemic and localised problems affecting the quality of education, and addresses these problems through local and national campaign; a commitment to robust political education and campaign strategising with members; and building a strong research base through primary and secondary research.
Equal Education seeks to fill three vacancies. The successful candidates must have a strong commitment to democracy, equality, intersectionality, social justice and human rights.
Eastern Cape Deputy Head
The Eastern Cape Deputy Head is tasked with supporting the Eastern Cape Head with the organising and campaign work of Equal Education (EE) in the Eastern Cape, and with the management of the Eastern Cape office. This involves leading a team of staff and volunteer activists on campaign strategy, youth leadership development, political education, community engagement, communications strategy, as well as the management of finances and human resources matters.
The successful candidate is also a politically astute activist and organiser, able to identify synergies with partner organisations across the province.
Level: Management position
Key responsibilities:
- Developing campaign strategies with EE Eastern Cape members, from the identification of problems, to qualitative and quantitative data collection, and mobilisation
- Monitoring and evaluating campaign impact in the province
- Mentoring the staff and volunteers of the Eastern Cape office, and overseeing their work
- Organising and running Youth Group meetings for EE members, in-school meetings (ISMs) and mass meetings of EE members
- Organising and running training and political education seminars and camps for EE members
- Maintaining a membership database
- Providing the support needed by organisers and volunteers to fulfill their roles (this includes the creating of content for Youth Group meetings)
- Conducting research for school-based campaigns and provincial campaigns
- Establishing relationships with crucial stakeholders (schools, partner organisations, teachers’ unions, school governing body organisations, academics, government, the media, etc)
- Representing EE publicly
- Budget planning and monitoring
- Implementing the EE Policies and Procedures
Requirements for the role:
- Tertiary qualification in Social Sciences, Law, Community Organising or related field
- Knowledge of South African education policy
- Ability to take initiative, work independently and think laterally
- Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor
- Understanding of politics, law, government policy, the South African media, and civil society
- Experience in planning, coordinating and evaluating activities, projects and informal educational programmes
- A strong background in youth organising in the civil society sector and demonstrated success in campaign advocacy work will be advantageous
- Must be independent, driven, a self-starter, and enjoy working with young people
- Willingness to work extended hours, including weekends and public holidays when necessary
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills
- Fully computer literate
- Adept at using social media
- A background in organising in rural communities will be advantageous
- isiXhosa language skills are highly valued
- Must be willing to travel
- One year experience in same or similar role
- A valid driver’s license will be highly advantageous
Location: The position is based in EE’s Eastern Cape office in King William’s Town.
Senior Researcher
Level: Senior-level position
Position: Researchers play an important role in Equal Education’s (EE) advocacy work. The Research Department’s core role is to produce research in support of provincial and national advocacy campaigns. In support of this mandate, the department produces reports and briefing notes, makes presentations to Parliament and provincial legislatures; drafts submissions on proposed policy and legislation; assists the Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) in drafting legal documents; contributes to developing popular education material in collaboration with EE’s Internal Education and Training Unit (IETU); and supports the Communications Department with media advocacy. The work of Equal Education’s researchers is informed and guided by the lived experiences of the movement’s members.
Key responsibilities: The key responsibility of a Senior Researcher is to work with the Co-Heads of the Research Department to ensure that the following work is done:
- Monitoring of local and international education news, education research, education policy and law reform, Parliamentary meetings, and activities of provincial legislatures;
- Producing analysis and original, locally relevant research for EE for both internal and external use;
- Forming relationships with other stakeholders in the education sector, including universities and research institutes;
- Drafting submissions to Parliament, provincial legislatures and/or the relevant government departments;
- Translating formal research into outputs that include reports, policy briefs, discussion documents, factsheets and pamphlets;
- Drafting media statements, op eds for newspapers, and content for social media; and
- Providing research and editing support to other researchers.
Researchers are expected to contribute to a collaborative environment by working with members of the research team, as well as other departments within the movement wherever possible.
Qualifications, skills and competencies: Postgraduate degree – preferably in Education or Social Sciences; very strong research experience, excellent written and communication skills; extensive knowledge of the South African education system and education policy; two years of work experience in the same or a similar role.
Successful candidates must be proficient in MS Office Suite; able to work efficiently and independently; and to manage multiple projects concurrently; have a strong commitment to democracy, equality, social justice and human rights; be committed to strengthening the education system in South Africa and to investing time and energy to address the inequality that affects so many of our youth. Candidates must be willing to travel.
Location: Applicants should be willing to work in either Gauteng or Cape Town. The location for this position will be confirmed in consultation with the successful candidate.
Campaigns Researcher
Level: This is an entry to mid-level position depending on the successful candidate.
Position: The Eastern Cape researcher plays an important role in Equal Education’s (EE) advocacy work in the province. The Research Department’s core role is to produce research in support of provincial and national advocacy campaigns. In support of this mandate, the department produces reports and briefing notes, makes presentations to National Parliament and provincial legislatures; drafts submissions on proposed policy and legislation; assists the Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) in drafting legal documents; contributes to developing popular education material in collaboration with Internal Education and Training Unit (IETU); and supports the Communications Department with media advocacy. The work of Equal Education’s researchers is informed and guided by the lived experiences of the movement’s members.
Key responsibilities: The key responsibilities of the Eastern Cape researcher at EE are to work with the Co-Heads of the Research Department and Heads of EE Eastern Cape to ensure that the following work is done:
- Leading on research related to campaigns in the Eastern Cape;
- Providing general support to the Eastern Cape office, including visiting schools and communities in the province;
- Monitoring of local and international education news, education research, education policy and law reform, Parliamentary meetings, and activities of the Eastern Cape legislature;
- Producing analysis and original, locally relevant research for EE for both internal and external use;
- Forming relationships with other stakeholders in the education sector, including universities and research institutes;
- Drafting submissions to Parliament, provincial legislatures and/or the relevant government departments;
- Translating formal research reports into outputs that include policy briefs, discussion documents, factsheets and pamphlets; and
- Drafting media statements, op eds for newspapers, and content for social media.
Researchers are expected to contribute to a collaborative environment by working with members of the research team, as well as other departments within the movement wherever possible.
Qualifications, skills and competencies: A university degree – preferably at postgraduate level in Education or Social Sciences; very strong research, writing and editing experience; excellent written and communication skills; knowledge of the South African education system and education policy; one year work experience in the same or a similar role.
Successful candidates must be proficient in MS Office Suite; able to work efficiently and independently; and to manage multiple projects concurrently; have a strong commitment to democracy, equality, social justice and human rights; be committed to strengthening the education system in South Africa and to investing time and energy to address the inequality that affects so many of our youth. Candidates must be willing to travel.
Location: The position is based in EE’s Eastern Cape Office in King William’s Town.
Application Process:
Each application should include a CV and a letter of motivation. You should motivate specifically for the position you are applying for and also detailing your interest and suitability to work at EE. Generic cover letters are strongly advised against. Please also include two contactable references.
Applications must be sent to [email protected]
Closing date: Friday 15 February 2019 at 5pm.
More Information
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