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Litha Phika

@lithaphika

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Early-career housing policy researcher skilled in ESG, R&D, and project coordination.

South Africa

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What I'm looking for

I seek an entry-level research or policy role in a values-driven organization emphasizing excellence, accountability, transparency, integrity and people-centred housing solutions.

I am an early-career housing policy and research professional with hands-on experience in municipal housing processes and national R&D indicators work. Trained in ESG by leading affordable housing practitioners in Cape Town, I have contributed to the DSI/CeSTII National R&D Survey, conducted business intelligence for major firms, and supported municipal housing allocations and social housing projects.

I hold a Master of Urban Studies (Housing and Human Settlements) and a strong grounding in research design, quantitative and qualitative methods, and project coordination. I bring integrity, accountability, and people-centred practice to multidisciplinary teams, and I am seeking an entry-level role where I can apply my research, policy analysis, and stakeholder-management skills to deliver measurable social impact.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Research Intern

DSI-HSRC

Jan 2023 - Jan 2025 (2 years)

Conducted Business Sector R&D statistics and sample-frame cleaning for the 2022/23 DSI/CeSTII National R&D Survey, managing 72 units and supporting BI analyses for large firms; contributed literature research for the DSI Decadal Plan and indicators framework.

Research Design Sample Frame Cleaning Business Intelligence Data Cleaning literature review Survey Management

Assistant Graduate

City of Cape Town

Jan 2020 - Jan 2022 (2 years)

Provided administrative and research support to the Housing Allocations Oversight Committee, prepared consolidation reports for transitional housing projects, and conducted secondary research on inclusionary and social housing.

Administrative Support Committee Secretariat Report Writing Housing Stakeholder Management SharePoint Microsoft Office

Project Coordinator Intern

Communicare NPC

Jan 2019 - Jan 2020 (1 year)

Supported youth empowerment program delivery through service-provider identification, community and stakeholder engagement, and monthly reporting to advance program implementation.

Program Administration Community Engagement Stakeholder Engagement Reporting Project Management

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of the Witwatersrand

Master of Urban Studies, Housing and Human Settlements

2022 - 2024

Activities and societies: Upgrading of Informal Settlements Program; training in Housing Finance and Law; research methodologies at master's level.

Master of Urban Studies (Housing and Human Settlements) with training in upgrading informal settlements, housing finance and law, and master's-level research methodologies.