Research Assistant

Orca Communications; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 134,000 - 201,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Transport stipends

Job summary

Orca Communications in Johannesburg is seeking a Research Assistant for qualitative fieldwork on water and sanitation. The role is part-time, on-site for 8 weeks, with a September–October window.

You will conduct semi-structured interviews, facilitate 12 focus groups, observe field practices, and deliver concise weekly memos while ensuring confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled or recently graduated in a relevant field.
• Interest or knowledge in water and sanitation is desired.
• Based in Gauteng with fluency in English and a local language.

Responsibilities

• Conduct semi-structured interviews with residents, community leaders and NGOs on water access and sanitation.
• Facilitate 12 focus groups to surface coping norms and ideas to improve water services.
• Join field walk-alongs in informal settlements to observe practices and take notes; deliver weekly memos.
• Handle recruitment, consent, audio recording, transcription/translation and confidentiality (POP I A-compliant).

Skills

Qualitative fieldwork

Interviewing

Note-taking

Communication

Discretion

Education

University student or recent graduate

Tools

Audio recording

Transcription

Translation

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.