South Africa: HIV/AIDS and Democracy and Governance Researcher

UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL
DURBAN

Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division (HEARD)

HEARD was founded in 1998 under the Directorship of Professor Alan Whiteside. It has gained an international reputation for applied research and management planning on the socio-economic aspects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, particularly in Africa. HEARD is a self-funding, dynamic organisation.

HIV/AIDS and Democracy and Governance Researcher - 1 year contract (renewable)
The HIV/AIDS pandemic is affecting the capacity of governments to deliver services as well as efforts to entrench democratic political frameworks in society. However, researchers and planners are well aware of the current limitations in the research and strategic interventions. HEARD, therefore, has established a research post to help refine and develop practical and theoretical frameworks for confronting the challenges of HIV/AIDS to democracy and governance in the developing world.
The Researcher will:
· Be centrally involved in research which considers the impact of HIV/AIDS on democracy and governance in Africa and the Developing World, and the role good governance and democracy may play in mitigating the impact,
· Support related research currently being undertaken by HEARD,
· Conduct primary research and analysis and develop the theoretical debates on the topic,
· Collaborate with other HEARD research staff to develop research projects and practical interventions,
· Liase with policy makers and government officials at all levels and provide briefings to politicians and senior civil servants,
· Be prepared to make presentations to a range of audiences.

Qualifications
Minimum requirements are a Post-Graduate qualification, in either Political Science, Political Economics, Development Studies, International Relations, African Studies or a related field. And relevant research experience, in conducting applied research, preferably with a focus on Democracy and Governance in the Developing World. The successful candidate will be computer literate, and be able to prepare PowerPoint presentations. S/he must be a team player, have good writing and analytical skills and preferably a publication record. S/he must hold a valid drivers license. HEARD will provide in-service training for suitable candidates.

KwaZulu-Natal Researcher - 1 year contract (renewable)
The KwaZulu-Natal Researcher will:
· Be centrally involved in doing research on the burden of HIV/AIDS on the provincial public health services,
· Undertake research into the Socio-Economic causes and consequences of HIV/AIDS in Africa, with particular focus on KwaZulu-Natal and on strategic planning and design of practical programmes to manage the epidemic,
· Conduct primary research and analysis and develop the theoretical debates on the topic,
· Collaborate with other HEARD research staff to develop commissioned, academic and funded research projects and practical interventions,
· Liase with government at all levels and provide briefings to politicians and senior civil servants,
· Be prepared to make presentations to a range of audiences.

Qualifications
Minimum requirements are a Post-Graduate qualification; but preference will be given to those with a Masters Degree; in either Economics, Public Health, Development Studies or a related field. And at least two years relevant research experience, including experience in conducting applied research, practical programme design and implementation, preferably with a focus on Public Health in the Developing World. The successful candidate will be computer literate, and be able to prepare PowerPoint presentations. S/he must be a team player, have good writing and analytical skills and preferably a publication record. S/he must hold a valid drivers license. HEARD will provide in-service training for suitable candidates.

For further information about HEARD please consult Tim Quinlan, Research Director ([email protected]), or Samantha Willan, Project Director ([email protected]), or visit our website at