Research Assistant

RESEARCH ASSISTANT One year fixed term contract Climate Change Risk, Adaptation and Emissions Information

African Climate and Development Initiative

Faculty of Science

Applications are invited for the post of Research Assistant: Climate Change Risk, Adaptation and Emissions Information, for the African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI). The ACDI is a strategic initiative at UCT that coordinates and enhances research and teaching on climate and development across departments and faculties. The successful Research Assistant (RA) candidate will contribute to research being carried out through the ACDI, most particularly the following two projects:

• “Problems and Solutions for Climate Change resilience and Adaptation in Mozambique”, which will investigated the current state of adaption knowledge in Mozambique and how can it be enhanced to enable more effective climate adaptation responses for vulnerable communities; and
• “Enhancing the Capacity of African Countries to Use Climate Information to Inform Decision-Making” which will generate updated assessments of climate change-related information (such as observed and predicted impacts, adaptation priorities and appropriate mitigation activities) for ~25 African countries.

The successful RA will support the work of the Technical Project Manager and other team members of the abovementioned projects, primarily by contributing to desktop-based research and analyses of existing climate change-related information in multiple African countries. Other responsibilities may include: i) engagement of stakeholders from participating countries (such as academic researchers); and ii) development of training materials to be delivered to participating countries. The RA position will be offered for a period of 12 months, commencing 01 July 2016.

Requirements:

The successful applicant must:

• Have completed a post-graduate degree, ideally to the Masters level, in a field related to climate change, sustainable, development studies, climatology, energy or a similar related discipline. Candidates with an applied background in quantitative analyses – for example demographic studies, population dynamics or macro-economics – are also encouraged to apply.
• Be available to commence with the position on 1 July 2016 at the latest.

Advantageous experience includes:

• Demonstrated ability for independent study, research design and implementation;
• Excellent English writing skills;
• Strong quantitative skills, demonstrated ability to perform quantitative analyses and/or experience in management of large and complex datasets;
• A strong and demonstrable interest in relevant topics such as climate change adaptation, sustainable development, energy security, agriculture and economics;
• Fluency in French or Portuguese and a knowledge of the Mozambique context will be an advantage.

Responsibilities:

• Undertake desktop reviews and analyses relevant to the two projects, including: i) adaptation-related information in the context of agriculture, water, transport and energy in multiple African countries; and ii) the agricultural sector in Mozambique.
• Assist the Project Team to identify and contact key informants and stakeholders to be engaged by the project.
• Work with Project Team to conduct focus group discussions and regional consultations with different stakeholder groups,
• including farmers, community leaders, retailers, extension officers and local government representatives
• Assist, as needed, with other ACDI adaptation projects and academic programmes.

The annual cost of employment is between ZAR 152,148 and ZAR 220,000, commensurate with the skills and experience of the successful candidate.

Telephone: 021 650 5598

Website: http://www.acdi.uct.ac.za/

Reference number: E60524

Closing date: 01 June 2016

UCT is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress in achieving its equity targets. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at http://www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/about/policies/eepolicy.pdf. UCT reserves the right not to appoint.