Are you committed to social justice and promoting access to well-located land and affordable housing? Would you like to contribute to building a better city? Then we want to hear from you!
Have a look at the job opportunities below (job opportunities will be posted as and when they become available).
We offer internships and volunteer opportunities at our Cape Town office on a rolling basis. We welcome students, graduate students or volunteers from South Africa and the Global South who want to contribute to our community organising, research, advocacy or legal work by assisting our staff. We’re always looking for people working in our areas of work, including urban planning, architecture, human geography, politics and law. We want to bring talented young people into social justice work and to offer an opportunity to be employed, gain experience, and ultimately find decent work. To apply, send a short description of your expertise and a copy of your most recent CV to employment@nu.org.za.
Vacancy: Researcher – Urban Land and Housing Policy, Design and Economics
Are you passionate about driving social change? Do you possess a creative and analytical mindset, excel in research and communication, and aspire to promote social and spatial justice?
Ndifuna Ukwazi, an activist organisation and law centre, challenges spatial inequality and
advocates for equitable access to well-located land and affordable housing. Our work combines
community organising, research, advocacy, and legal support to advance urban land justice and drive systemic change. We collaborate closely with tenants, occupiers, communities, and social movements in Cape Town, including our core partner, Reclaim the City, to amplify struggles for land and housing rights and build a more just and equal city.
We are seeking a passionate and innovative researcher to join our team, focusing on land and
housing policy, spatial design, or urban land and property economics. The ideal candidate will
possess strong research, writing, and communication skills, with the ability to contribute to our
mission of achieving social justice and equity.
Key Responsibilities
Depending on the candidate’s skill set, responsibilities may include:
● Designing and conducting comprehensive policy, desktop, and field research on housing
and social justice issues.
● Producing compelling research and advocacy outputs, including reports, policy
submissions, popular education materials, and opinion pieces for various audiences.
● Conducting policy and legislative analysis.
● Providing research support for policy and advocacy engagements, campaigns, and media
outreach.
● Developing innovative design proposals for affordable housing on strategic land parcels.
● Performing economic analysis of urban land and property markets.
● Building, managing, and analysing datasets.
● Responding to direct research requests from social movement and community partners.
Requirements
● Commitment: A strong dedication to social justice and the mission of Ndifuna Ukwazi.
● Experience: Minimum of 1 year as a researcher in a non-profit organisation or relevant
field (e.g., advocacy, campaigning, development, or spatial design).
● Education: Post-graduate degree in humanities, economics, social sciences, urban
planning, law, property studies, architecture, or a related field, or equivalent work
experience.
● Skills: Proven ability to plan, conduct, and execute qualitative research, coupled with
excellent writing and editing capabilities.
● Communication: Strong verbal and written English skills (proficiency in isiXhosa and/or
Afrikaans is an advantage).
● Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work constructively and respectfully across diverse groups
of people.
● Self-motivation: Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively under
pressure, with attention to detail.
Desirable Skills
● Familiarity with South African legal and policy frameworks related to land, housing, and
spatial planning.
● Experience in media relations, social media, and public communications.
● Proficiency in software tools such as Photoshop, InDesign, Canva, ARCGIS, QGIS, CAD,
SketchUp, or Revit.
● Analytical skills to assess spatial plans, frameworks, and land use applications.
● Practical experience with feasibility studies and land-use modelling.
● Quantitative research skills
● Experience in popular education methodologies.
What We Offer
● An opportunity to contribute meaningfully to social and spatial justice.
● A dynamic and collaborative working environment.
● Exposure to impactful work within communities and social movements.
If you are ready to make a difference and align with Ndifuna Ukwazi’s mission, we encourage you to apply and join our dedicated team.
Salary: A salary commensurate with experience and with Ndifuna Ukwazi’s designated salary
bands will be offered.
Location: Cape Town.
How to apply:
To apply
● If you are an architect, urban designer or urban planner: submit your CV, letter of
motivation, one (1) unedited sample of your written work and one (1) sample of your
spatial design work by email to employment@nu.org.za with the subject “NU Vacancy:
Researcher”.
● For all other applicants: submit your CV, letter of motivation and two (2) unedited
samples of your written work by email to employment@nu.org.za with the subject “NU
Vacancy: Researcher”.
In your motivational letter, please give a detailed explanation of why you would like to work at
Ndifuna Ukwazi and what qualities and experience you would bring to the post (generalised cover letters that do not engage with Ndifuna Ukwazi and our work will not be considered).
Only complete applications will be considered, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
for interviews. Ndifuna Ukwazi is committed to transformation and equity in its recruitment
processes.
Deadline: 3 February 2024