Research Assistant

Orca Communications; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Part time

Job summary

A research organization is seeking a part-time Research Assistant in the Johannesburg area for qualitative fieldwork focused on water and sanitation. Responsibilities include conducting interviews, facilitating focus groups, and observing daily water practices. Candidates should be university students or recent graduates fluent in English and a local language, with strong note-taking abilities. This role is on-site and offers transport stipends.

Benefits

Transport stipends

Qualifications

• Fluency in English plus a local language is essential.
• Must be a university student or recent graduate with interest in water issues.
• Outgoing and proactive individuals are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct semi-structured interviews on water access and sanitation.
• Facilitate focus groups to gather community insights.
• Observe daily water/sanitation practices in informal settlements.

Skills

Fluent in English

Knowledge of local languages (e.g., isiZulu, Sesotho, Setswana, isiXhosa)

Strong note-taking skills

People skills

Reliability

Proactive attitude

Education

University student or recent graduate

Job description

We're hiring: Research Assistant (Johannesburg) - Qualitative fieldwork on water & sanitation

Project: Water and Sanitation in Johannesburg

Where: Johannesburg area When: September-October (8 weeks) Type: Paid, on-site, part-time (local hire)

What you'll do (qualitative only)

Conduct semi-structured interviews with residents, community leaders, and NGOs -focused on water access, non-revenue water (NRW), and sanitation.

Facilitate 12 focus groups to surface coping norms, trust, and practical ideas to improve water services and sanitation.

Join field walk-alongs in informal settlements to observe daily water/sanitation practices; take careful notes and (where appropriate) photos; deliver short weekly insight memos.

Handle recruitment, consent, audio recording, transcription/translation, and confidentiality (POPIA-compliant).

You are

Based in Gauteng; fluent in English plus a local language (e.g., isiZulu, Sesotho, Setswana, isiXhosa).

A university student or recent graduate with knowledge of -or strong interest in -water

Outgoing and proactive, with strong note-taking and people skills.

Reliable, discreet, and safety-minded (transport stipends provided).

- A person with existing networks in the Johannesburg area and knowledge of Johannesburg Water pathways.