15 Policy Manager jobs in South Africa

Overview

The Policy Review Adviser will manage referrals received into the Policy Analysis Team from a variety of sources relating to misrepresentation, non-disclosure and potential indemnity concerns, within agreed authority levels and within agreed SLA.

• Investigate all cases of potential misrepresentation and non-disclosure at policy inception and claims stage through to completion received via a variety of referral sources into CFS; work to agreed SLAs and following the Policy Validation Guide and CFS Procedure documents. Investigate the validity of FCIM’S customers claims history by carrying out post-sale CUE (Claims Underwriting Exchange) match validation and processing any necessary changes to the policy.
• Investigate, through to a conclusion, policies where Quote Manipulation is suspected prior to the inception of the policy.
• Investigate and manage any potential voidance cases referring to Policy Analysis Level 2 or Senior for sign off.
• Contact policyholders by phone and email, adhering to TCF and DPA principles, to resolve any discrepancies related to misrepresentation, non-disclosure or indemnity issues.
• Update and revise customers’ policy details making any necessary adjustments and cancellations.
• Make outbound calls to customers in relation to validation procedures/queries whilst adhering to TCF and DPA principles.
• Administer and process incoming post and e-mail, including the scanning of relevant documents.
• Handle all complaints received effectively and efficiently adhering to FCIM Complaints policy.
• Manage delegated mailboxes ensuring all correspondence is actioned within agreed SLAs.
• Promptly identifying matches that do not require further investigation and ensure closure is actioned in a timely manner, within SLAs.
• Maintain positive relationships with all business employees and departments, comply with the Group Code of Conduct and Fitness and Propriety policies at all times.
• Ensure compliance with Company Policies, Values and guidelines and other relevant standards/regulations at all times.
• Any other reasonable duties.

• Minimum of a Matric/NQF 4 qualification.
• Solid insurance experience.
• Vehicle insurance claims experience.
• Strong Microsoft Office experience with Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• High level Customer Service Skills.

• Previous experience in a complaint handling role, ideally with experience in early resolutions.
• Experience in handling fraudulent claims/misrepresentation at policy inception will be advantageous.
• Previous complaint handling experience within an FCA regulated business is ideal.
• Experience taking both outbound and inbound calls.
• Providing the best resolution for the customer.

• Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Good time management and organization skills.
• Problem solving skills with the ability to adopt a logical approach to resolving problems.
• Good data and statistical analysis skills.
• Good technical skills.
• IT and software skills, including good Microsoft Excel and Word knowledge.

• Experience/exposure to UK customers/ clientele.
• RE qualification.
• FAIS credits.

Huntswood’s employees are described as dependable, driven and collaborative. The job holder should be able to demonstrate they are:

• Confidential, reliable and genuine.
• Dynamic, passionate and determined.
• Friendly, compassionate and cooperative.

"It's not just about what we do, but the way we do it. And it's our values that make us special."

NB: All appointments are subject to the positive outcome of pre-employment verification checks.

Job Description
Job Overview:
The Policy Review Adviser will manage referrals received into the Policy Analysis Team from a variety of sources relating to misrepresentation, non-disclosure and potential indemnity concerns, within agreed authority levels and within agreed SLA.

Job Responsibilities

• Investigate all cases of potential misrepresentation and non-disclosure at policy inception and claims stage through to completion received via a variety of referral sources into CFS; working to agreed SLA's and following the Policy Validation Guide and CFS Procedure documents Investigate the validity of FCIM'S customers claims history by carrying out post sale CUE (Claims Underwriting Exchange) match validation and processing any necessary changes to the policy.
• Investigate, through to a conclusion, policies where Quote Manipulation is suspected prior to the inception of the policy
• To investigate and manage any potential voidance cases referring to Policy Analysis Level 2 or Senior for sign off
• Contacting policyholders by phone and email, adhering to TCF and DPA principles, to resolve any discrepancies related to misrepresentation, non-disclosure or indemnity issues.
• To update and revise customers' policy details making any necessary adjustments and cancellations.
• Make outbound calls to customers in relation to validation procedures/ queries whilst adhering to TCF and DPA principles.
• Administer and process incoming post and e-mail, including the scanning of relevant documents.
• Handle all complaints received effectively and efficiently adhering to FCIM Complaints policy
• Manage the delegated mailboxes ensuring all correspondence is actioned with agreed SLA's.
• Promptly identifying matches that do not require further investigation and ensure closure is actioned in a timely manner, within SLA's.
• Maintain positive relationships with all business employees and departments comply with the requirements, and act in accordance with, the Group Code of Conduct and Fitness and Propriety policies at all times
• Ensure compliance with Company Policies, Values and guidelines and other relevant standards/ regulations at all times
• Any other reasonable duties

Job Requirements

• Minimum of a Matric/NQF 4 qualification
• Solid insurance experience
• Vehicle insurance claims experience
• Strong Microsoft Office experience with Word, Excel and Power - Point.
• High level Customer Service Skills

Experience Required

• Previous experience in a complaint handling role, ideally with experience in early resolutions
• Experience in handling fraudulent claims/misrepresentation at policy inception will be advantageous
• Previous complaint handling experience within an FCA regulated business is ideal.
• Experience taking both outbound and inbound calls
• Providing the best resolution for the customer

Skills Required

• Good communication skills, both verbal and written
• Good time management and organization skills
• Problem solving skills with the ability to adopt a logical approach to resolving problems
• Good data and statistical analysis skills
• Good technical skills
• IT and software skills, including good Microsoft Excel and Word knowledge

Preferred Requirements/Skills

• Experience/exposure to UK customers'/clientele.
• RE qualification
• FAIS credits

Core Behaviour
Huntswood's employees are described as dependable, driven and collaborative.

The job holder should be able to demonstrate they are:

• Confidential, reliable and genuine
• Dynamic, passionate and determined
• Friendly, compassionate and cooperative

"It's not just about what we do, but the way we do it. And it's our values that make us special."

NB: All appointments are subject to the positive outcome of pre-employment verification checks.
Apply

Program & Policy Manager-Just Economies (INT8403)

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

This is a one year fixed term opportunity to be based in Lilongwe, Malawi. You must have the right to work in Malawi by providing proof either of a work permit or national citizen.

A passionate, dynamic, self-starter person with experience in advocacy and influence work in Southern Africa region. The person will lead the development, planning, coordination of programmes in SAF in collaboration with partners and roll out advocacy and campaigns activities for Oxfam in Southern Africa.

ESSENTIAL

• Relevant academic qualifications, preferably in international development, economics, politics, sociology or humanities, especially at post-graduate level
• Proven experience in a complex, dispersed organisation with evidence of facilitating and integrating a specific area of expertise across a wide network, providing clarity and focus of vision and impact, decision making, and the delivery of agreed results
• Experience in working with partners of different types including networks, and movements.
• Excellent knowledge of the SAF regional environment and issues, desirably supported by personal exposure through having worked and lived there
• Politically astute, with high impact influencing and persuasive skills and personal gravitas to gain respect and build and maintain strong, credible relationships, with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
• Strong organisational and personal management skills, with ability to prioritise work issues to meet deadlines with minimal supervision and adjust to constantly changing situations while maintaining focus on delivery and follow-through
• Excellent personal communication skills, in written and verbal English, and ideally Portuguese
• A high level of self-awareness, initiative, sound judgement, personal energy and flexibility
• Strong programme management and quality knowledge, with ability to ensure consistent quality against standards and to implement effective monitoring and evaluation systems to assess and adjust performance
• Commitment to and good knowledge of working with networks, coalitions and a partnership approach across the spectrum of Oxfam’s work, including innovative approaches to capacity strengthening
• Good knowledge of and experience in developing advocacy and campaign strategies and plans and successfully achieving external impact and change. Some experience in undertaking media presentations.
• Good knowledge of and experience with donor funding environment and good financial management skills, with experience of project budgeting and controlling financial risks
• Experience in working with multi-sectoral teams at different levels.

Organizational Values

• Accountability – Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.
• Self-Awareness-We are able to develop a high degree of self-awareness around our own strengths and weaknesses and our impact on others. Our self- awareness enables us to moderate and self-regulate our behaviours to control and channel our impulses for good purposes
• Relationship Building-We understand the importance of building relationship, within and outside the organization. We have the ability to engage with traditional and non-traditional stakeholders in ways that lead to increased impact for the organisation.

Desirable

• Ability to engage and influence both corporate direction; contributing to and following it as appropriate and the ongoing development of programme policy and quality to enhance the impact of Oxfam’s work.
• Ability to build a people’s movement around social issues and inspire followership.
• Proven analytical and conceptual thinking, high level research, project management knowledge and skills and experience using participatory tools and methodologies for assessment, programme identification, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

This role will give you an opportunity to make a difference in SAF, to act as key contributor to the Just Economies team, opportunities in training and development, offers fair pay and competitive benefits package. This role is based on national terms and conditions of service.

We believe flexible working is key to building the Oxfam of the future, so we’re open to talking through the type of flexible arrangements which might work for you. We think this role would work particularly well as a partially home-based role or job share.

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

As part of your online application, please upload your up to date CV and a covering letter explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile.

Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women’s right activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won’t stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.

Oxfam GB is a member of international confederation of 21 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.

It’s people power that brings about change. To play our part as a global organisation working to overcome poverty and inequality, we need equality, diversity and inclusion across our community of staff, partners and volunteers. Together, we’re committed to becoming a more diverse workforce, better able to tackle the global challenges that face our world today.

To do that:

• We need to dismantle the unequal power structures that exist everywhere, this including Oxfam and the wider development and charity sectors.
• We need an inclusive Oxfam where everyone can bring who they are to our work and feels celebrated for the differences they bring.
• We want and need everyone, and that means we need you.

In response to Covid-19 if you are offered a role where you are required to travel between countries please ensure you have been briefed by the Hiring Manager about any changes to working or precautions you should take as part of your role.

• SAF Program & Policy Manager JP-Mar22.pdf (209.17 KB)

To supervise and provide motivational direction to a team of Fraud Analysts to ensure delivery of an efficient and effective service to the business and Counter Fraud teams while ensuring delivery of business performance objectives, KPIs, and SLAs in accordance with company procedures and policies.

Job Responsibilities:

• Ensure delivery of targets.
• Provide reports to the Operations Manager on the status of objectives.
• Assist and provide guidance to the analysts with any queries and handle the more complex cases, if and where appropriate.
• Validate claims history while adhering to the relevant compliance procedures.
• Ensure all new policies are checked against CUE and the subsequent chase cycle is being adhered to and meets the agreed SLAs.
• Provide technical support to the team and be a referral point for handling customer complaints to achieve a positive outcome.
• Manage additional premium process to ensure outstanding debt is kept to a minimum.
• Ensure that the risk customer validation chase cycle and return post customer validation chase cycle are managed effectively.
• Provide sign-off on all voidance and cancellation decisions relating to referrals from the CFS teams, Sales and Service, and Claims.
• Conduct regular reviews to check the accuracy and quality of the team’s work.
• Deliver coaching and feedback to the team to achieve KPIs and SLAs, and conduct regular performance reviews and 1-2-1s, including probationary reviews and annual appraisals.
• Deal with all employee issues including monitoring absence and conducting disciplinaries.
• Assist the Operations Manager with the recruitment process.
• Monitor agents' calls to ensure they are following the company’s policies and procedures at all times and are compliant with FCA regulations (including TCF principles).
• Set targets for agents and deliver coaching and feedback to the team to achieve KPIs and SLAs, and conduct regular performance reviews, including probationary reviews and annual appraisals.
• Assist with the training of new recruits or re-training of current employees when required.
• Have input into and manage departmental procedures specifically in relation to policy fraud analysis, investigations, technical referral, and drive improvements in processes and systems.
• Ensure all analysts are compliant with TCF principles when liaising with customers and ensure own personal compliance with TCF principles.
• Work closely with other CFS teams and other departments to ensure consistency and best practice.
• Ensure compliance with company and other relevant standards/regulations at all times.
• Build and maintain relationships with CFS and other departments, as appropriate.
• Ensure personal and team compliance with Company Financial Crime policies and other standards and regulations.

Job Requirements:

• A minimum of Matric/NQF 4 qualification.
• RE or FAIS qualification is preferable.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Negotiation and influencing skills.
• Good time management and organisation skills with the ability to prioritise work.
• Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to motivate employees in a high-pressure environment.
• Problem-solving skills with the ability to adopt a logical approach to resolving problems.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Good numeracy and literacy skills.
• Extensive motor insurance experience.
• Extensive motor insurance policy fraud experience.
• Experience of performance management of a team.
• Experience of setting objectives.
• Solid understanding of all aspects of motor insurance, specifically with regards to policy fraud investigation and analysis/indemnity referral.
• Knowledge of fraud detection and analysis systems.
• Solid understanding of the insurance fraud intelligence model and relevant systems.
• Excellent knowledge of FCA requirements (including TCF) and the regulatory framework relating to claims.
• Solid understanding of the business objectives and operations delivery.
• Technical knowledge of insurance products and personal lines insurance.
• Comprehensive understanding of regulatory requirements and company principles (including TCF) following appropriate training.
• Sound knowledge of managing telephony systems.
• CII qualified or working towards this.

Required Skills:

• Commercially focused.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic.
• Takes initiative to make decisions.
• An organised and proactive approach.
• Emphasis on attention to detail and accuracy.
• Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• A flexible approach and positive attitude.
• Confident in presenting complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• Strives to deliver performance targets and drive business improvements to contribute to the success of the business.

Core Behaviour:

Huntswood’s employees are described as dependable, driven, and collaborative. The job holder should be able to demonstrate they are:

• Confidential, reliable, and genuine.
• Dynamic, passionate, and determined.
• Friendly, compassionate, and cooperative.

Reporting to the CEO, the Policy Administration Manager (Funeral Policies Administration) will be responsible for the smooth and effective execution of the policy administration process by checking, validating, and capturing all policies received timeously and accurately and ensuring that all processes, procedures, and standards are met and maintained.

KEY DUTIES

• To utilise role skills and competencies to effectively deliver on the processing requirements within our binder agreements to meet SLA deliverables.
• To utilise your skill and knowledge of Binder arrangements to enhance our service offerings.
• Building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders (Brokers, Collections departments, Key Accounts Executives, etc.)
• Process monthly reconciliation premiums collection bordereaux
• Manage the compilation of monthly premium bordereaux and recon statements.
• Ensure monthly bordereaux and recons are submitted to Underwriters by due dates.
• Ensure accurate calculation of binder admin fees and commissions.
• Initiate new business onboarding and acceptance within SLA.
• Obtain insurers policy numbers and send welcome pack to customers within SLA.
• Ensuring that all terminations and lapses are processed within SLA.
• Provide PPR communication confirmation to Underwriters when required.
• Analyse Underwriters Compliance reports and provide findings and ensure corrective action is taken where required for 100% compliance.
• Attend all Underwriters/Insurers training sessions for certification and active process implementation.
• Assist in providing auditors with information required.
• Make suggestions for process and system enhancements to ensure efficient and accurate processing.
• Actively participate in strategic projects for service efficiency and Binder expansion.
• Provide support to the Team through assisting and collaboration.
• Take initiative to cross train and expand knowledge and become a fully proficient Binder Administrator, performing all Binder functions.
• Process Funeral claims within turnaround times.
• Obtain FICA documents and ensure all clients are assessed and approved by the Underwriter.
• Ensure all PPR requirements are met through the various functions.
• Contribution to the team, positive, sharing knowledge and adding value.
• Active participation and contribution to the meetings, sharing your knowledge with others.
• Taking ownership for personal career development and other learning needs.
• Build relationship with colleagues’, Management and our Underwriting Partners.
• Ensure that all new business applications are processed accurately and timeously on the system.
• To process policyholder’s policy details correctly on the applicable system to ensure that all details are timely and accurately reflected.
• Issuing of policy details per the chosen form of communication by client
• Update and maintain policy records on administration system.
• Sending out annual review letters
• Ensuring that all new applications reviewed and approved that are received.
• Ensure that quality checks are put in place to validate the data on the applications.
• Review commission payments and ensure accuracy and that they are paid timeously.
• Self-Management and living the ‘Sena Values’
• Responsible for department’s compliance, including compliance with companies Intermediary and Binder agreements.
• Writing systems business requirements specifications and systems testing.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 5 Years’ experience in a similar role in the Financial Services sector – Experience in managing Funeral Claims is an absolute advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years in Client Relationship Management
• Proficient in Adobe, Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Strong communication skills and Customer-centric

Mid-Senior level

Full-time

Project Management and Information Technology

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Reporting to the CEO, the Policy Administration Manager (Funeral Policies Administration) will be responsible for the smooth and effective execution of the policy administration process by checking, validating, and capturing all policies received timeously and accurately and ensuring that all processes, procedures, and standards are met and maintained.

KEY DUTIES

• To utilise role skills and competencies to effectively deliver on the processing requirements within our binder agreements to meet SLA deliverables.

• To utilise your skill and knowledge of Binder arrangements to enhance our service offerings.

• Building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders (Brokers, Collections departments, Key Accounts Executives, etc.)

• Process monthly reconciliation premiums collection bordereaux

• Manage the compilation of monthly premium bordereaux and recon statements.

• Ensure monthly bordereaux and recons are submitted to Underwriters by due dates.

• Ensure accurate calculation of binder admin fees and commissions.

• Initiate new business onboarding and acceptance within SLA.

• Obtain insurers policy numbers and send welcome pack to customers within SLA.

• Ensuring that all terminations and lapses are processed within SLA.

• Provide PPR communication confirmation to Underwriters when required.

• Analyse Underwriters Compliance reports and provide findings and ensure corrective action is taken where required for 100% compliance.

• Attend all Underwriters/Insurers training sessions for certification and active process implementation.

• Assist in providing auditors with information required.

• Make suggestions for process and system enhancements to ensure efficient and accurate processing.

• Actively participate in strategic projects for service efficiency and Binder expansion.

• Provide support to the Team through assisting and collaboration.

• Take initiative to cross train and expand knowledge and become a fully proficient Binder Administrator, performing all Binder functions.

• Process Funeral claims within turnaround times.

• Obtain FICA documents and ensure all clients are assessed and approved by the Underwriter.

• Ensure all PPR requirements are met through the various functions.

• Contribution to the team, positive, sharing knowledge and adding value.

• Active participation and contribution to the meetings, sharing your knowledge with others.

• Taking ownership for personal career development and other learning needs.

• Build relationship with colleagues', Management and our Underwriting Partners.

• Ensure that all new business applications are processed accurately and timeously on the system.

• To process policyholder's policy details correctly on the applicable system to ensure that all details are timely and accurately reflected.

• Issuing of policy details per the chosen form of communication by client

• Update and maintain policy records on administration system.

• Sending out annual review letters

• Ensuring that all new applications reviewed and approved that are received.

• Ensure that quality checks are put in place to validate the data on the applications.

• Review commission payments and ensure accuracy and that they are paid timeously.

• Self -Management and living the 'Sena Values'

• Responsible for department's compliance, including compliance with companies

Intermediary and Binder agreements.

• Writing systems business requirements specifications and systems testing.

EXPIRIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• BCom degree or equivalent qualification

• Minimum of 5 Years' experience in a similar role in the Financial Services sector – Experience in managing Funeral Claims is an absolute advantage.

• Minimum of 5 years in Client Relationship Management

• Regulatory Exam: Representatives (RE-5)

• Proficient in Adobe, Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

• Strong communication skills and Customer-centric

The applicant must be in possession of a Bachelor of Commerce degree or equivalent qualification in Economics, Law or Business Economics. A postgraduate degree in in these or a similar field will be an added advantage. At least three years practical experience in a research-related area, preferably dealing with international trade issues. In addition to having an extensive knowledge of research principles.

• An appropriate, recognised qualification at NQF Level 8 or equivalent.
• A relevant NQF Level 9 qualification will be an advantage.
• Five years' relevant work experience in research, policy analysis and development.
• Exposure to, and experience in, the field of education, training and development will be an advantage.

Duties :
• Lead NQF policy development, analysis, and critiques.

• Ensure research ethics and alignment to SAQA's strategy within areas of responsibility.
• Contribute to conceptualising, conducting, managing and reporting on research that supports NQF policy development, implementation and analysis.
• Contribute to NQF research publications.
• Contribute to conceptualising and realising NQF research events.
• Contribute to research funding proposals.
• Compliance with the relevant SAQA policies and procedures.
• Share and engage nationally and internationally with researchers and NQF stakeholders around NQF policy development and implementation.
• Lead or co-lead the professional development of staff, including mentoring staff in specific specialised tasks.

The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), together with the National Treasury of South Africa (NT), is opening a request for research proposals under the second phase of the Southern Africa – Towards Inclusive Economic Development (SA-TIED) programme. The papers produced under this request will be published as a part of the macro-fiscal analysis and policy modelling workstream of the programme. Submission deadline: 12 January 2024, 23:59 UTC+3.

This call invites South Africa-based researchers to apply. It offers a unique opportunity to undertake both theoretical and evidence-based research that will help identify unintended consequences of policy changes and guide macroeconomic policy design and implementation.

South Africa is currently confronted with key challenges including poverty, inequality, heightened unemployment, and high public debt, that require pressing attention to get the country’s economy back on track and generate growth. While structural reforms are required to address these challenges effectively, macroeconomic policy-driven research is also needed.

This request for research proposals therefore includes the following research areas, among others:

1. Optimal design and implementation of fiscal policy (including public investment and debt, tax policy, and expenditure), and the assessment of its effectiveness.
2. Analysis of monetary policy (including the evaluation of SARB core mandate of keeping inflation within the 3 to 6 percent range, and whether it has supported a stable and competitive real exchange rate), assessment of its transmission channels, and investigation of unintended effects of policy changes.
3. Financial stability and macro-prudential policy, including the analysis of the impact of financial innovation on financial stability, and the design and implementation of macro-prudential policy.
4. Macroeconomic policy coordination, including the investigation of the relationship between monetary and macro-prudential policy, the analysis of spill-over effects of the fiscal, monetary, and macro-prudential policy-mix.
5. South Africa as a small open economy and the impacts of global shocks (both from a positive and normative perspective). Recent such disturbances include the outbreak of the global Covid pandemic and the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, with their corollary of worsened macroeconomic and financial uncertainty, and supply chains disruption.
6. Enhancement of the forecasting, policy analysis, and modelling tools, including the development of structural models that will help improve the ability to forecast and simulate the effects of potential policy changes critical for South Africa.

Invitations

Against this backdrop, UNU-WIDER together with the National Treasury announce a request for proposals on topics within the above research areas. Proposals from individuals, groups of individuals, and non-profit organizations are welcome.

Special consideration will be given to research teams that include:

• South African researchers
• Junior and early-career researchers
• Female researchers
• Researchers from historically disadvantaged universities (HDIs)

Evaluation Process and Criteria

Each proposal will be reviewed for scientific merit and feasibility. Proposals will be selected based on three criteria: (i) relevance to the research project, (ii) strength of empirical and policy contributions, and (iii) quality and clarity of writing. Based on this assessment, a pool of suitable proposals will be determined.

Only the final decision on whether or not an application is accepted will be communicated to applying researchers.

Proposal Submission Procedure

The proposal should be no more than three pages of A4 paper in length, excluding cover page and references. The cover page should contain the complete contact information of researcher(s), and a 120–150-word abstract summarizing the research question, methodological approach, and expected contribution.

Submission of proposals is done electronically by using the online form on the call’s announcement page. There are three forms to select from: one for individuals, another for groups of individuals, and a third for non-profit organizations. Details (such as address, gender, nationality, date of birth) of all researchers involved will need to be included in the form and the cover page, the proposal, and short CVs (five pages or less) of researcher/s uploaded. Please familiarize yourself with the form in advance.

Other Considerations

For successful proposals:

Researchers or their institutions (non-profit) will sign a consultant contract or an institutional contractual agreement with UNU-WIDER that follows the UNU conditions of service for Consultant Contracts (CTC), or Institutional Contractual Agreements (ICA).

Researchers/institutions will transfer copyright of research produced under the contract to UNU-WIDER. The purpose of this copyright transfer is to allow UNU-WIDER to effectively negotiate with top academic publishers in order to seek the most desirable possible publication outlet for a related set of papers/studies. If no (further) publication is to be expected by UNU-WIDER, the copyright can be transferred to the author(s). Any material published externally thereafter resulting from this body of work should carry due acknowledgement of UNU-WIDER as the original commissioning institute. A total research honorarium will be paid for the work undertaken. Submission of a budget is not required for the proposal.

Please submit your application by 12 January 2024. Any questions on the proposal process should be sent to All queries and responses will be published on the call for proposals announcement page. Selected answers will be updated on a rolling basis.

25 October 2023: Launch of request for research proposals

12 January 2024: Application submission deadline

15 February 2024: Target date for informing on decisions

15 August 2024: Target date for submission of first drafts of papers

1st week of September 2024: Target date for work-in-progress workshop

Mid to end-October 2024: Target date for submission of revised near-final draft papers and a one-page summary of key findings

*Knowledge-sharing events will be planned subsequently.