Law Researcher (Intellectual Property Law and Competition Law - HJI)

SUMMARY:
Background: 

• The Health Justice Initiative (HJI) is a South African non-profit organisation working to address systemic health inequities and injustices in South Africa and beyond
• Founded in mid-2020 in response to the massive inequalities in public health exposed and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, HJI also focuses on the intersections between health justice, racial and gender inequity, and climate injustice, while continuing to work directly on issues of health policy

POSITION INFO:
Main purpose of the job:

• Lead and support research and advocacy initiatives in Intellectual Property Law and Competition Law

• Cape Town (Hybrid working)

• Design, implement and complete legal research projects addressing the impact of IP and competition law
• Monitor legislative and policy developments in South Africa and internationally
• Support research for existing cases being led by HJI
• Produce legal briefs, policy papers, and advocacy documents grounded in rigorous research
• Ensure compliance with ethical research standards and donor reporting requirements
• Support HJI's advocacy strategies by contributing legal and policy expertise to projects and cases
• Engage with relevant stakeholders through submissions, oral presentations, and consultations
• Translate legal research into advocacy tools such as fact sheets, op-eds, and infographics
• Coordinate timelines, deliverables, and administrative aspects of research and advocacy projects
• Work with civil society coalitions, community-based organisations, academics, and international partners to promote equitable policy outcomes
• Represent the HJI at forums, conferences, and workshops to build networks and promote collaboration
• Facilitate / Present information sessions relating to IP and competition law issues as and when required

• LLB Degree (or equivalent) with a strong academic record

• 5 years’ experience in legal research, policy analysis, or advocacy work in the field of IP/Competition Law
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding key issues in the following areas: Intellectual Property Law, Competition Law, Public Sector Governance, Human Rights, Legislative and Regulatory processes
• Experience working with human rights, legal and health research methodologies and organisations

• LLM in Intellectual Property Law, Competition Law
• Experience in the non-profit sector is an advantage
• Team player, ability to work in a small team remotely, self-motivated
• Willingness to travel locally and at times abroad

• Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV
• Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate, and to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions
• This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL
• However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position
• Our client, HJI will only respond to shortlisted candidates
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful
• Closing date: 11 July 2025
• Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date

• HJI, in accordance with its Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto
• AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising and the response handling on behalf of their client HJI
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position