Call for applications: SA music industry policies auditor

The MIAF is a pan-African, non-profit organisation based in Rosebank, Johannesburg, with satellite offices in East, West and Central Africa. The MIAF’s mission is to support the African music sector through promoting knowledge exchange and creating opportunities and capacity for music professionals, via our online portal and through training programmes, artist mobility programmes, workshops, concerts, lobbying, conferences and other related initiatives.

In 2021, the MIAF launched the RSFAM project, a multifaceted initiative aiming to empower African music professionals with information and tools to earn more income from their works.

The RSFAM project is underpinned by extensive industry research, entailing on-the-ground field research and comprehensive analysis on the data collected on the earning trends of music professionals to identify definitive revenue models (based on their historical and current performance in different locations). The research findings will be the basis of an industry report and an education drive, extending to the development of digital tools, educational content and capacity-building programmes. The outcomes of the RSFAM project will support the RSFAM policy committee with the aim to advocate for improved legislation to support the music industry.

Key deliverables

• Study the RSFAM research framework, survey and research analysis report to identify policies that need to be reviewed.
• Conduct an audit of existing laws that are in place to support music industry professionals. The audit will include an overview of existing laws that apply to the five broad revenue streams categories as identified by industry consultants for the RSFAM project [see Annexure A attached below in PDF]. The legislation to focus on will be discussed and is open for negotiation.
• Investigate structural shortcomings and identify the needs and challenges in terms of revenue earning trends for South African musicians.
• Articulate key policy recommendations in a report not exceeding 10 pages.

Skills and requirements

• Relevant degree or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years’ experience working on similar activities in the creative industry.
• Research experience.
• Comprehensive and demonstrable knowledge of the music industry value chain and the South African music industry in general.
• Comprehensive and demonstrable knowledge of existing legislation and governing structures pertaining to the music industry specifically, and the creative economy at large.
• Flexibility and ability to manage timetable and deadlines.
• Availability to meet with the RSFAM policy committee between December 2021 and February 2022.

This work shall begin in December and end no later than 15 February 2022.

How to apply

All applications must to be submitted to MIAF projects officer Ms Jannike Bergh at jannike@musicinafrica.net with ‘RSFAM Policy Audit’ in the subject line.

Please include the following in your application:

• CV.
• A motivation (not more than 2 pages) articulating how you would implement a policy audit for the purposes of the RSFAM project, while demonstrating your experience, capacities, expertise and other key aspects.
• Proof of previous policy-related work implemented successfully in the past 5 years.

The application deadline is 10 December 2021.

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