Senior Researcher - Johannesburg Verfied Gold Badge

Salary Negotiable Johannesburg, Gauteng Johannesburg, Gauteng more than 14 days ago 21-06-2017 7:00:01 AM
28-06-2017 1:00:35 PM
Senior Researcher (2 Year fixed term contract)

Main purpose of the job
The incumbent will be a key member of the PRICELESS team and central to successful delivery of the
work on fiscal policies for non-communicable disease prevention in SA. Taking a role on a range of
activities, the individual will possess strong analytical and research skills, but also the ability to develop
strategic recommendations and policy documents and interpret and use complex information.
The post holder will be required to engage in various aspects of a multi-year project evaluating the
proposed sugary beverage tax in South Africa. This will involve a five-pronged approach, which will:
(i) Investigate the socioeconomic context and economic burden of NCDs in South Africa, examining
need for obesity-prevention efforts
(ii) Undertake a longitudinal analysis of consumption responses to the tax in urban South Africa
(iii) Identify producers’ response to the tax including price changes, product reformulation, and
marketing and advertising efforts
(iv) Investigate the health and financial risk protection impacts of the tax across income distribution
(v) Undertake an analysis of changes in household expenditure in response to the tax using household
scanner expenditure datasets.

Location
Wits School of Public Health, Parktown Johannesburg

Key performance areas
• Lead on the analysis and interpretation of complex data and on communicating the results
effectively to a domestic and international audience including National Department of Health
• Support the Director and the project team in developing and maintaining effective working
relationships with relevant partners and stakeholders
• Carry out critiques of work carried out by other staff both within PRICELESS and that carried out
by external parties
• Independently undertake advanced research in the relevant discipline area using, or developing, the
appropriate methods and/or techniques and managing associated staff and/or student contributions
to the project.
• Support other research staff, e.g. Research Fellows, Health Economists, in the furtherance of
their research and of specific projects
• Prepare reports and present information to research groups,– particularly progress reports,
overseeing similar activities of research assistants when appropriate
• Lead the production of high-quality research reports and/or publications as required for
dissemination
• Identify sources of funding; lead/ contribute to the process of application for funding and donor
reporting
• Lead and promote activities designed to develop collaborative research with research colleagues
and support staff internally and to actively develop appropriate external contacts and networks
relevant future collaboration and funding opportunities
• Analyse, evaluate and interpret results of own/group research, making use of appropriate and
innovative research methods.
• Contribute to the planning process of the research team, leading aspects as appropriate
• Participate in internal and external networks, workshops and collaborative partnerships,
representing PRICELESS in a professional manner at all times
• Lead relevant meetings associated with the research project or related activities
• Be involved, as required in learning and teaching programmes within the Wits School of Public Health
• Undertake continuous personal and professional development which contributes to knowledge
and skills within the subject area
• Uphold the values of PRICELESS

Required minimum education and training
Relevant PhD qualification (e.g. economics, microeconomics, labor economics) with core skills in
statistics, econometrics, with specialization in health economics
Required minimum work experience
? Minimum 3 years’ experience in a research facility or development consultancy

Additional education, work experience and personal abilities
? A clear commitment to contributing to the research environment and producing high qualityresearch outputs
? Flexible and adaptive with a positive approach to contributing to a number of different projects
? Display a high level of initiative and independent decision-making
? Able to work independently and as part of a team
? Ability to travel and work overtime when required
? Synthesis of complex information
? Strong statistical and econometric knowledge
? Interest in fiscal policies for health
? Interpersonal skills
? Attention to detail
? Communication and presentation skills

The 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 unsuccessful. In
accordance with our Employment Equity goals and plan, preference will be given to suitable applicants
from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent
amendments thereto

Recruiter: Wits Health