2019 Wits MSc Bursary for people with a commerce, geology or environmental studies honours degree
The Global Change institute is offering a bursary for someone to do their MSc Assessing Climate Vulnerability of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa.
Minimum requirements: An Honors degree in Business studies, Economics, Geography, Environmental Studies/Sciences
Finance: R 25, 000 tuition bursary, R 60,000 annual stipend, and project running costs.
Location and Duration: This position is based in Johannesburg, Gauteng. This is a 2 year fixed term appointment.
Expected start date: February 2019
Background
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa contribute ~ 34 % to national GDP, employ between 28 - 60 % of the labour force in South Africa and make up 91 % of formalised businesses. Climate change is a major risk and threat multiplier to businesses across all sectors in South Africa and SMEs may be particularly vulnerable to direct and indirect climate impacts due to insufficient resources for buffer against these.
In comparison to big business and multi-national corporations, little is known about the nature of climate risk, vulnerabilities, sensitivities and/or exposure for SMEs in South Africa. This knowledge gap is significant in light of the increasing occurrence of extreme weather events and new climate regulations. SMEs, and the national economy, could potentially be exposed to significant risks that they are ill-prepared for.
The successful MSc candidate will have a fantastic opportunity to explore an under-researched area, looking at the vulnerability of SMEs across key economic sectors in South Africa to emerging climate change impacts and risks, including regulatory risk. Interested candidates should have an understanding of climate change, climate risk for the private sector and corporate sustainability/the role of the private sector in sustainable development. Candidates must be comfortable with statistical analysis and some experience with administering and analyzing survey data will be an added advantage.
S/he will be required to outline sources of climate risk and resilience strategies or coping mechanisms being implemented by SMEs. The candidate will also be required to publish the findings in an international peer-reviewed journal.
How to apply
To apply, please submit your application consisting of your CV, motivation letter, transcript and Honours project report to Dr. Ruwadzano Matsika at Ruwadzano.matsika@wits.ac.za by 09 January 2019.
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