About the Organisation

The Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) is a Cape Town-based public interest law organisation and registered law clinic. Our team of social justice lawyers works to advance the right to equitable, safe, and quality basic education for all learners in South Africa. We pursue this through public interest litigation, legal research and advocacy, legislative engagement, and community lawyering. We are also committed to developing skilled, principled young attorneys in the field of education law and broader human rights practice.

About the Job
EELC seeks to appoint a Legal Researcher who is passionate about social justice, ECD, education, and the law, the incumbent will join the Research and Advocacy team. They will be responsible for 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 and advocacy.

Key Responsibilities

Leading on primary and secondary research

Producing analysis and locally relevant research for both internal and external use

Translating formal research reports into outputs that range from the formal, such as policy briefs and discussion documents, to popular education materials including fact sheets and pamphlets

Forming relationships with other stakeholders in the education sector, including universities, government officials and research institutes

Representing EELC in coalitions

Working closely with the Communications team to take media interviews and draft media statements, op-eds for newspapers, and content for social media

Supporting community engagement and, specifically, supporting and collaborating with Equal Education

Facilitating workshops and making presentations internally/externally

Monitoring of local and international education news, education research, education policy and law reform, Parliamentary meetings, and activities of the provincial legislature

Drafting submissions to Parliament, provincial legislature and/or the relevant government departments.

Requirements Essential

An undergraduate degree in law, social sciences, education, or a related field

At least 3 years of experience conducting qualitative and/or quantitative research (this experience may have been gained through work, study, or a combination of both), including:

o Demonstrated research track record, including design of data

collection tools

o Experience with different research methodologies

o Demonstrated understanding of the ECD and basic education

landscape in South Africa

Ability to read and interpret government budgets, including tracking trends in real terms

Strong written and oral communication skills

Ability to represent the organisation externally in coalitions, networks, and stakeholder engagements

Experience engaging media and taking interviews, or willingness to learn if not already experienced

Based in the Western Cape or able to relocate

Desirable

A postgraduate qualification in law, social sciences, education, or a related field is advantageous, but candidates with equivalent work experience are encouraged to apply.

Experience in public finance and budget analysis

Familiarity with participatory research methodologies with children

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) expertise

Proficiency in more than one South African official language

Please send your resume/CV