Background:
Wits Health Consortium (Pty) Limited ("WHC") is a wholly-owned Company of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (South Africa) under its Faculty of Health Sciences
WHC provides Faculty with a legal framework within which to operate the research and other activities necessary to support its academic objectives
In addition, WHC offers a range of products and services to Academics
To provide strategic and technical leadership for climate-health policy and climate financing as the Lead for WPHR Policy Practise
The role will drive all policy influence work and catalyse access to climate finance for health adaptation and mitigation
This role ensures that WPHR research evidence translates into policy action and that policy priorities inform financing applications, creating a seamless evidence-to-policy-to-finance pipeline
Johannesburg / Cape Town
Lead the development and implementation of integrated policy influence and climate finance strategy
Ensure alignment between policy engagement priorities and financing opportunities
Attend and represent WPHR at national, regional, and global policy forums
Lead Stakeholder and policy mapping using established policy frameworks
Identify windows of opportunity for policy influence and develop targeted engagement plans
Provide technical inputs to key policy processes
Lead mapping and analysis of climate financing opportunities
Coordinate a proposal calendar, aligning submission windows
Provide direct technical support for climate financing applications, including intervention package design, evidence narratives, and results frameworks
Lead and write research protocols
Develop and design research tools and Standard Operating Procedures
Obtain ethical approval from relevant regulatory bodies
Monitor the progress of research projects
Write progress reports to Stakeholders including networks and Funders
Conduct data analysis and write up results
Stay abreast with relevant research findings and collaborate
Respond to funding opportunities to advance the program research agenda
Peer review of journal articles
Supervise Students if applicable
Participate in discussions regarding the future direction of research strategies and plans for Wits Planetary Health
Support the capacity building of team on research strategies, tools and methodologies if required
Publish scientific publications
Produce policy briefs
Compile conference presentations
Disseminate research findings internally and to universities and other Stakeholders such as the community, community advisory groups, government, and media
Participate in the conceptualization, design, and implementation of the Research Stakeholder engagement strategy in collaboration with the head of Stakeholder and Communications
Communicate the research project strategy to internal and external Stakeholders
Participate meaningfully in meetings/workshops that seek to address/review the Research Stakeholder engagement or the implementation thereof
Coordinate and manage engagement with existing and established climate groups, both within the consortium and outside (SAWS, etc.)
Master’s Degree in Law (LLM), Health Sciences or International Relations
Minimum of 10 years’ research experience in Climate Health, Human Rights and Health Law topics
Demonstrated experience in research evidence translation for policy makers, media and communities
Established networks with advocacy and governmental organizations in South Africa
Demonstrated technical and proposal writing and communication skills
Experience in peer-reviewed publication record
Experience managing research projects, timelines, and team coordination
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to work across disciplines
Experience mentoring
Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities
Excellent verbal and written skills
Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV and a cover letter (maximum one page)
Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate, and to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions
This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL
However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market
Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position
Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates
Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful
Closing date: 30 October 2026
Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date
WHC, in accordance with its Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto
AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising and the response handling on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium
AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position
Desired Skills:
Senior Researcher
Climate-Health
Johannesburg
Cape Town
Masters degree
LLM
Law
Employer & Job Benefits:
Medical Aid and Provident Fund