Human Science Research Council (HSRC) Stakeholder and Partnership Officer Vacancy 2026 | Apply with NQF 7 Degree

Opportunity Overview

The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) is a leading organisation dedicated to undertaking policy-oriented research projects and programmes that make a real difference in South Africa and the wider region. Guided by its public-purpose mandate, the HSRC strives to deliver social science that contributes to a more informed and just society.

This particular opportunity is within the HSRC’s Research Impact Division (RID), which plays a crucial role in ensuring that the Council’s work extends beyond academic outputs to create lasting societal change. The division works to align HSRC research with South Africa’s development priorities and the broader African and global context.

The HSRC is looking to appoint a suitably qualified Stakeholder and Partnership Officer to join its Pretoria office. This is a permanent, full-time position that will be central to supporting the division's mission of translating research into measurable impact by building and maintaining key relationships.

Minimum Requirements

To be considered for this position, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• A relevant NQF Level 7 degree, preferably in Public Administration, International Relations, Development Studies, or Business Administration.
• 3 to 5 years of experience working in a research, university, training and development environment, or a related private or NGO sector.
• Familiarity with the social sciences research landscape.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• A proven track record in building and fostering successful relationships and partnerships across different sectors.
• Ability to multitask and work effectively under deadline pressure with high energy levels.
• Respect for diversity and the inclusion of varying views.
• Ability to interface with people at all levels within an organisation or institution.
• A strong user orientation, demonstrating commitment to social research that makes a difference.
• High levels of computer literacy and experience (including Excel and Microsoft Word).

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for a range of duties, including:

• Supporting the development, coordination, and management of institutional partnerships.
• Facilitating the initiation, development, implementation, and monitoring of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), Memorandum of Agreements (MoAs), and related institutional-level collaboration agreements.
• Supporting strategic partnership engagements, institutional visibility, and reporting on partnership impact.
• Supporting partnership initiation meetings and stakeholder engagement.
• Profiling institutional research capabilities and researchers to support collaboration opportunities.
• Contributing to the review and development strategy for the unit.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the HSRC eRecruitment portal.

• Visit the application portal: https://hsrc.erecruit.co/
• Register an account on the Neptune recruitment site (this can be done using a mobile device or any browser).
• Upload your CV. Please ensure that attachments are less than 1MB in size.