The Southern African Labour Research Institute (SALRI) is the research unit of the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU). One of the COSATU trade unions, SACTWU represents workers in the clothing, textile, footwear and leather (CTFL) manufacturing industry as well as sectors such as distribution, laundries, primary and secondary agriculture and others. SALRI provides support to SACTWU, its members and leadership. SALRI also drives SACTWU’s Jobs Campaign, an extensive programme of work at union, company, industry and national levels to produce more secure, sustainable, meaningful and growing employment for the union’s members based on the principle of decent work.

Based in Cape Town , Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) seeks to appoint the

TRADE UNION RESEARCHER

The Researcher will support the work of SALRI and SACTWU in responding to the needs of the union’s members through research, advocacy, and a range of other related activities. The position is a three-year contract.

The incumbent reports to and is accountable to the SALRI Director and the union’s leadership, or to other designated leads when required.

Key responsibilities for this position include:

Providing support to SALRI and SACTWU, and when required COSATU, on assigned tasks
Liaising and interacting with workers, union members and officials, company management, industry representatives, State officials and representatives, amongst others
Collecting primary and secondary research from a range of internal and external sources relevant to the union’s members and the sectors and companies in which they work
Identifying challenges faced by the union and its members and identifying and pursuing solutions to completion
Delivering and producing research reports, as well as assisting in the preparation of other written reports, releases, publications and public communications
The ability to also engage in: policy development and implementation; industry and public advocacy; negotiations; training design and implementation; project design and execution; organizational support; retrenchment and employment retention support: etc.
Strengthening SALRI and SACTWU

The Trade Union Researcher must be able to demonstrate:

Post-graduate degree in an appropriate field e.g., Social Science, Economics, Industrial Sociology, Law, International Studies, Development Studies, Business Administration. A Masters degree would be advantageous
At least three years or more of relevant experience, including working in human rights and/or public policy
Have an interest in service, and a professional attitude and approach to work that includes amongst other things: the ability to perform excellently in challenging and demanding contexts; an aptitude towards working in a consistent, thorough, rigorous and persevering manner; the discipline to deliver quality outputs against deadlines; and the skills to constructively navigate broad relationships and contexts in the interests of solving challenges for workers
Excellent writing, presentation and communication skills, as well as excellent computer skills
Experience in Quantitative and Qualitative research, as well as gathering, analysing and capturing data accurately
Have an interest in, and understanding of, industrial relations in South Africa, and be familiar with the main role players

View the full job description and application instructions on the Vacancies page at and email your application by Friday ^th March 3 to

Southern African Labour Research Institute (SALRI)

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Trade Union Researcher