All Things Urban

Established in 2008 and rooted at the University of Cape Town, African Centre for Cities (ACC) is one of the leading knowledge centres conducting meaningful research on how to understand, recast and address pressing urban crises, particularly on the African continent. Since most urban challenges—for example, food security, climate change adaptation, economic inclusion, cultural vitality and tolerance—are inherently interdisciplinary and spatially layered, ACC nurtures the co-production of knowledge favouring and cultivating critical Southern perspectives. Through its research ACC develops imaginative policy discourses and practices to promote vibrant, just and sustainable cities. This purpose has become all the more pertinent with the adoption of Agenda 2063 at a pan-African level, which chimes with the 2030 global agenda for sustainable development. Thus, a lot of the research and capacity development work seeks to foreground the urban dimensions of these new political horizons, embedded in an epistemic commitment to Southern solidarity and theory building.

The African Centre for Cities invites applications for a two-year Junior Research Fellow position to join Young and Online in African Cities: Tech-based Activations for Just and Sustainable Urban Development, an applied and action-oriented research project aiming to tackle inequality through exploring the relationship between youth, technology, work, citizenship, and sustainable and just placemaking. Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced candidates for the full-time position of Junior Research Fellow, to commence duty as soon as possible. The incumbent must be an energetic, driven, self-starting individual, able to deal with multiple, simultaneous demands in support for the smooth running of the Young and Online project.

- Conduct research on youth-oriented and tech-enabled initiatives in select African cities - Maintain and update a database of information on these initiatives - Contribute to developing typologies and case studies - Participate in project activities such as reading groups, writing workshops, and reflection meetings - Work closely with the project leads at ACC and HCU and local teams, which includes providing some mentorship for Masters students on the project - Support the project administratively where appropriate - Contribute to academic and other writing as part of the project outputs - Participate in wider activities at the African Centre for Cities

- Applicants are expected to have completed a doctoral degree in a relevant area of study (e.g. urban studies, digital humanities, youth and/or gender studies) - Applicants with a relevant Masters degree and significant relevant work experience will also be considered. - Applicants should have a sound knowledge of qualitative research methods, and excellent writing skills in academic and non-academic registers - Applicants should welcome the opportunity to work in a team, showing an ability to take initiative, work independently as well as collaboratively - Applicants should have well-developed and professional interpersonal and communication skills - As the project has an explicit focus on multi-dimensional inequality including race and gender, ideally the applicant is well versed in anti-racist, intersectional feminist and/or queer approaches to research - As the project has a pan-African focus, applicants should have a sensible knowledge of cities across at least two different sub-regions of Africa as defined by the United Nations (Southern Africa, East Africa, Middle Africa, West Africa, and Northern Africa) and a track record of relevant research and publication - The successful applicant may be expected to travel - Fluency in English is a requirement and fluency in French will be an advantage.

The annual cost of employment, including benefits, is between R380,838 and R544,062 (as per UCT renumeration policy). Non-South African citizens will be required to have a valid working visa.

Unfortunately, it seems like this job is not available for international candidates. Unless you’re eligible for a work visa otherwise, please double-check with the company.