Researchers: The Corporate Footprint of South African Banks and Their Investment in the Mining Sector

Researchers: The Corporate Footprint of South African Banks and Their Investment in the Mining Sector Deadline: July 11, 2015 SARW is seeking a researcher to look into the funding of Mining activities in the SADC and trace the corporate footprint of SA bank and their investment in the mining sector in the region. Background: Southern Africa is home to significant deposits of some of the world’s most strategic minerals. The tapping of these minerals often requires millions of dollars to be spent on exploration and extraction. The role of banks in funding mining operations cannot be overemphasised especially since the mining sector is considered risky and expensive. South African Banks are key funders of a number of South African and foreign mining companies. Many mining companies operating in the region have been accused of serious human rights abuses ranging from displacement of populations from their land without fair compensation to pollution of the environment (air, vegetation, soil and water), weak labour and safety standards, corruption, illicit financial flows and weak corporate social responsibility interventions. Purpose of Research: A number of concerns have been raised by civil society players about whether banks do due diligence before, during and after mining activities they fund to guard against corruption, social, environmental and human rights abuses that are linked to mining. This project is an attempt to investigate South African banks and interrogate their funding commitment to a transparent, accountable and equitable mining sector in SADC. This research will contribute towards the building of a body of knowledge that can be used to demand that banks in southern Africa support a mining funding model that promotes human rights, community empowerment, transparency, and environmental protection. Key responsibilities: The researchers will among other things: • Identify mining projects that are being funded by South African financial institutions and the amounts involved. • Analyze the terms of the contract between the bank and the company and interrogate provisions for social and environmental accountability and the fulfilment of the same. • Identify national guidelines and principles as well as international norms and codes that banks should adhere to and whether these are being fulfilled in mining deals. • Propose and discuss recommendations that will be the basis of a strategy to campaign for a more transparent, socially and environmentally accountable mining funding model by banks. • Present the findings at a roundtable meeting with key stakeholders Key requirements: • A doctorate or master’s degree in the Social Sciences, Law, Development Studies or related discipline; with five years’ experience; • An understanding of South African laws, regulations, international norms and standards governing operations of financial institutions; • An established research career as evidenced by extensive publications; • An interest in the natural resource governance; • A sound grounding in research methods – including both quantitative and qualitative approaches; • Intellectual and personal integrity, imagination and drive; • Strong networking abilities - with government, companies and civil society in country. • The level of the appointment will depend on the mix of qualifications and experience of the successful candidates. Timeframe: 3 months Applications : Interested applicants should forward a cover letter and CV to sarwresearch@sarwatch.org with “SA Banks” as the subject heading. Should agencies/research teams apply; the CVs of staff with direct responsibility for implementation of the research will be required. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to discuss the research in greater detail. Once selected, the successful agency/research team will be expected to work in co-operation with the SARW programme staff throughout all stages of research design, implementation. Only shortlisted candidates will receive a response.