Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa OSISA Consultant Jobs in South Africa

Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa OSISA Consultant Jobs in South Africa

OSISA is soliciting the services of a consultant to support a portfolio of work on informality. The informal economy has been the mainstay of countless people’s livelihoods in developing countries, especially in southern Africa.

African economies have failed to create jobs partly due to consequences of neoliberal policies championed by international finance institutions introduced in the late 1980s. The informal sector has continued to grow as a result of job losses in the formal sector.

Enclave economies persist characterized by a small and well-resourced formal sector, which is isolated from a large poverty stricken informal and subsistence economy. Given the large number of individuals participating in the sector, the informal sector continues to make considerable contributions to the reduction of poverty in many countries.

Women and youth make up the majority of actors in the informal economy. The estimates for Southern Africa are that 70% of informal traders are women.

The primary role of the consultant would be to further sharpen, shape and set-up the portfolio of work for the team to effectively roll it out in 2019 going forward.

The consultant will be based in the OSISA Johannesburg, South Africa office, and be managed by the OSISA’s Women’s Rights Senior Programme Manager. 6 - Months Contract initially, beginning 1 February 2019 with a possibility of renewal depending on resources and need.

Terms of Reference / Key Performance Areas

Coordination and Communication: