Faculty of Theology and Religion

Office of the Dean

Bloemfontein Campus

Researcher: Hope, Public Witness and (Episcopal) Leadership in Southern Africa (Contract appointment: 1 year, with the possibility of extension)

Job ID: 6629

The University of the Free State and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam invite applications for a Researcher to work on the Hope Project under the leadership of Prof. John Klaasen and Prof. Jan Jorrit Hasselaar. This fellowship will support an original programme of theological and historical research on the lives, ministries, public witness, and theologies of the three most recent Archbishops of Cape Town within the Diocese of Cape Town and the wider Anglican Church of Southern Africa and beyond.

The project will investigate the historical, ecclesial, theological, and socio-political contexts within which Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus Njongonkulu Winston Ndungane, and Archbishop Thabo Cecil Makgoba exercise leadership and shape public Christian witness. The successful candidate will examine their theological biographies, ministries, writings, preaching, pastoral leadership, and public engagement, with particular attention to the theme of hope in relation to church, society, justice, reconciliation, joy, leadership, and public theology.

While substantial scholarship already exists on Archbishop Emeritus Tutu, the fellowship is expected to place particular emphasis on the contribution of Archbishop Emeritus Ndungane and Archbishop Makgoba, while also situating all three figures in continuity and contrast across changing South African and Southern African contexts. The aim is to generate new scholarly knowledge that will contribute to academic research, ecclesial reflection, and leadership formation for the sake of the churches, wider society, academia, students, and future generations of (Christian) leaders. The research is part of an Art & Science project. The research will be used for impactful artistic expressions for a broader public, for example, exhibitions, videos, paintings and poetry.

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll  - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered. 

The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:                                                                     

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and responsibilities:

• Develop and undertake a high-quality research project on the historical and theological biographies, ministries, and public witness of the three most recent Archbishops of Cape Town.
• Produce publishable academic outputs arising from the project, including peer-reviewed journal articles and/or book chapters.
• Contribute to the development of a broader scholarly record on the theology, ministry, and public leadership of these archbishops for academic, ecclesial, and public benefit.
• Contribute to the development of impactful artistic expressions for a broader public, for example exhibitions, videos, paintings and poetry.
• Assist, where appropriate, in identifying, organising, and engaging relevant primary and secondary source materials.
• Participate in the team and scholarly activities of the Hope Project and, where appropriate, the research life of the University of the Free State and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
• Contribute to the wider intellectual and public aims of the project, especially as these relate to hope, (Christian) leadership, public witness, and theological reflection in Southern Africa.

Inherent requirements:

• A PhD or equivalent on NQF Level 10 in Theology, Religious Studies, Church History, Historical Studies or a closely related discipline.
• Excellent research skills and a demonstrated capacity for independent scholarly work.
• A relevant publication record or other evidence of strong academic research competence.
• Proven academic experience, expertise, or methodological competence in one or more of the following fields: theological research, religious studies, church history, historical theology, biography, or contextual theology.
• Demonstrable ability to work with historical, theological, ecclesial, and/or archival sources.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Recommendations:

• Preference will be given to candidates whose prior research demonstrates a strong connection to biographical church history, theological study of Christian leaders and ministries, public theology, or the theology of hope.
• Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrable knowledge of, or connection to, Southern African Anglican theology, Anglican church history, or the history of Christianity in Southern Africa.

Required competencies:

Results Orientated:

• The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success.
• The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

Strategic Thinking:

• The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection, and approach work in a neat and organised manner.
• The ability to plan work and to follow plans.

Business Acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.

Leading:

• The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
• The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.

Building Coalitions:

• The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
• The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision.

Assumption of duties:
01 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter

Term of appointment:

Contract appointment of one (1) year and may be extended for successive periods of one (1) year, subject to a positive annual evaluation and written Agreement by the funder, provided that the total term shall not exceed five (5) years.

Closing date:
30 October 2026

Salary:

The salary is available on request.

Fringe benefits:

(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries:

For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 9813 or email PhokaR@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 051 401 2979 / 2876 for assistance.

General:

The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at:

ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.pdf

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.