Research Assistant (4 positions)

Organisational Setting

Eswatini still faces several Readiness gaps and barriers which limit the potential for climate change adaptation and mitigation particularly in the country, which limits the potential to mainstreaming climate smart practices to assist in moving towards fulfilling the NDC ambitions by making human settlements and socio-economic activities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The gaps are spread across sectors with limited availability of institutional capacity to apply baselines and indicators for improved interventions within the food systems, infrastructure, water, biodiversity, health sectors, moreover on technology adoption. Therefore, the is a need to prepare Eswatini’s revised NDC ambitions for public and private investment towards attaining a sustainable livelihood. This is through developing a set of green national indicators, strengthening data capture, monitoring, and evaluation systems. Given this context, in compliance with the overarching objective of the NDC the Research Assistants will provide Basic Process Support to the Climate Change, Environment and Natural Resources Management Programmes and shall form part of the Project Management Unit (PMU). The support will strengthen efforts towards fulfilling Eswatini’s commitment towards climate action in all sectors FAO CO provides support on as prioritised in the revised NDC. The climate actions funded through GCF Readiness, GEF and TCPs are being implemented by FAO as delivery partner in close collaboration with the Ministries of Agriculture, Housing and Urban development and Tourism and Environmental Affairs

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Eswatini, (FAOR), guidance of the Assistant FAOR and the technical supervision of the National Programme Coordinator. The Research Assistant will provide Basic Process Support, working in close collaboration with FAO officers that will form a project management team task force consisting of the Lead Technical Officer and the Agro-Food Systems and Investment Policy Support Specialist (FAO Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa), the Climate Finance Officer in the GCF Coordination Unit (FAO Rome), and the Budget Holder (FAO Representative for Eswatini).

Technical Focus

To prepare the urban and peri-urban communities and improve food systems of Eswatini to build a better and more sustainable future for citizens. The programme achieves this by identifying, prioritizing and connecting human aspects with environmental challenges in drawing best practices for attaining sustainable food systems and infrastructure investments and policy measures, awareness and capacity building.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Research Assistant will perform the following specific activities: • Supports in literature searches • Supports data collection where necessary • Supports recording and transcription of interviews and consultative processes • Assists the project coordinator in organizing meetings, events, and workshops • Supports generation of basic reports for events • Assists in data collation and filing • Supports consultancy work where gaps are identified. • Performs other project support duties as required and/or assigned by the FAOR.

Minimum Requirements

• A University degree in Environmental Science, Agronomy, Natural Resources Management, or related fields; • Minimum of 1 year /work experience in the infrastructure sector; • Working knowledge (level C) of English; • National of Eswatini or a legal resident of Eswatini

Technical/ Functional Skills

• Demonstrated experience in supporting data collection, conducting research and working in a team; • Previous experience in supporting a UN supported/funded project; • Demonstrated understanding of the Eswatini NDC activities; • Good communication and presentation skills;

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Selection Criteria

• Working knowledge of SiSwati will be an added advantage;