The Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems – Southern Africa (SHEFS-SA) consortium is a partnership between institutions in Malawi (MUBAS and LUANAR), South Africa (University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Institute of Natural Resources), Zimbabwe (University of Zimbabwe) and the United Kingdom (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Royal Veterinary College and University of London). The consortium is working to catalyse the transformation of Southern African food systems (focusing on Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe) and communities towards systems and communities that are healthy and resilient to climate risks. We will do this by:

• undertaking SHEFS transdisciplinary research to shift the understanding of complex climate change (CC) challenges for health, as mediated by food systems, within particular contexts, translated into scalable solutions and policy recommendations with high impact;
• developing a transdisciplinary Community of Practice (CoP), led by the Global South, that contextualises and applies systems thinking within an expanded climate-sensitive SHEFS Framework to improve food security, food safety, nutrition, and health, including mental health; and (iii) developing a Global South-led cohort programme to train emerging scholars and practitioners in transdisciplinary research approaches at the intersection of Climate and Health.

The SHEFS-SA consortium will focus on providing actionable evidence for informed decision-making and identifying and developing practical solutions for CC mitigation and/or adaptation while evaluating in detail how their effects connect to health, including mental health, through food security, food safety and nutrition. The programme deepens our work in South Africa and will expand to include Zimbabwe and Malawi to ensure regional policy impact.

We seek a motivated Research Assistant to join a project focused on mapping and analysing Early Warning Systems (EWS) across various scales in Malawi. The research aims to evaluate the effectiveness, scalability, and adaptability of EWS in mitigating risks and enhancing preparedness for diverse hazards.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive review of existing Early Warning Systems at community and national level;
• Map EWS components, including monitoring, communication, and response mechanisms;
• Analyse the effectiveness and gaps in current systems using qualitative and quantitative methods;
• Collaborate with stakeholders, including policymakers, community leaders, and technical experts; and
• Contribute to the preparation of research reports, policy briefs, and presentations.

Qualifications

• BSc or MSc in Disaster Risk Management (DRM), Geography, Environmental Science, Public Policy, or a related field;
• Knowledge of Early Warning Systems, risk assessment frameworks, or disaster risk management strategies;
• Strong research and analytical skills, with experience in data collection and synthesis;
• Proficiency in mapping tools such as GIS, QGIS, or related software; and
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with multi-hazard early warning frameworks and international protocols (e.g., Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction);
• Experience in working with diverse datasets and integrating qualitative and quantitative analysis;
• Ability to engage with stakeholders and conduct fieldwork (if applicable); and
• Prior research experience in resilience building or disaster preparedness

Duration:

This position is tenable for a duration of one year.