Consultant: Research Assistant
International Water Management Institute, Ghana

International Water Management Institute (IWMI) seeks applications from suitably qualified candidates for a short-term assignment to support the development, implementation and scaling-up of sustainable resource recovery and reuse (RRR) business models, focusing on the technical aspects.

Project Background

Many cities in Ghana lack functional solid waste treatment plants and sewer systems. This poor waste management affect water quality and lead to impacts on both human and ecosystem health. Underlying issues include inability to operate and maintain treatment systems due to lack of sizeable infrastructure, low capacity or relying on non-financially viable management models for wastes in urban areas.

Given the forgoing challenges, IWMI developed a research program on Circular Economy and Water Pollution (CEWP) which addresses the global challenge of Promoting sustainable and inclusive growth under changing natural resource and capital flows, driven by increasing urbanization and agricultural intensification. It offers innovative solutions to strengthen water and food security by reducing water and land pollution, and optimizing resource use in rural-urban landscapes.

Scope of Work

The role of the ‘Consultant: Research Assistant’ is to:

• Draft sections of, and review, scientific reports on issues such as waste recycling, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon credits, waste treatment and management, etc.
• Produce technical feasibility reports
• Undertake research field activities, i.e. oversee field experiments, from set-up to data collection and reporting
• Liaise with stakeholders to follow-up on outputs and co-organize meetings
• Manage a database with the digitized primary and secondary data

Duration: 09 months from mid-March to mid-December 2021

Your application must include a copy of your curriculum vitae, a cover letter that addresses IWMI’s requirements stated above, and contact information of three professional referees who may be contacted if you are short-listed for the position.

This is a nationally hired consultant position and only candidates who are eligible to work in Ghana will be considered.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Requirements

The successful candidate will possess the following:

• MSc in environmental science or any related field
• Experience in solid and/or liquid waste management
• Experience in writing literature revue papers, technical reports and other scientific papers
• Experience in undertaking research activities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in MS Office applications and in database management
• Experience in resource recovery and reuse
• Knowledge of French
• Fluency in oral and written English
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural environment and to engage with a various range of stakeholders
• Proven ability to plan and organize own work, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure
• Ability and willingness to spend time in the field
• Willingness to telecommute when necessary

Benefits

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Job Rewards and Benefits