Project Officer – South Africa
Salary: GBP 10,560 per annum (equivalent to approx. ZAR 20,350 per month gross depending on exchange rate)
Contract: One Year – full-time, with potential for renewal subject to funding
Closing Date: Friday, 26 June 2026 – 11:59 pm
The Project Officer will provide project management and administrative support to the Project Manager in delivering nominated projects in South Africa, initially focusing on the Wastepreneur® project in Cosmo City, Johannesburg, and the First Step Resource Management project in Mpumalanga.
About WasteAid
WasteAid is an international non-governmental organisation that works in low and middle income countries to implement environmental and economic development programmes,focusing on support to nascent green businesses and grassroots entrepreneurs. The work improves the livelihoods of some of the poorest and most marginalised, promotes circular economy innovation, and contributes to a cleaner and healthier future for all.
WasteAid promotes and shares locally appropriate, evidence-based, and inclusive practices, supporting and empowering others to take positive action. We partner with public, private, and community-based organisations in countries where practices are harming the environment, economy, and society.
WasteAid in South Africa
WasteAid began working in South Africa in 2020 with the launch of the Circular Economy Network, a platform uniting industry, academia, and waste practitioners to accelerate circular solutions. What started as an awareness initiative soon revealed a pressing need: supporting thousands of informal waste collectors to grow their micro-enterprises and become “Wastepreneurs” driving pollution reduction, job creation, and circularity from the ground up.
Since then, WasteAid has focused on empowering those at the start of the waste value chain. Through a tailored training and mentorship programme, we help participants develop essential life skills and learn how to run viable waste businesses – from financial management to extracting value from different waste streams. Micro-grants for tools and equipment further enable them to work safely, confidently, and profitably.
Today, WasteAid continues expanding its reach across Gauteng and Mpumalanga, delivering this proven curriculum and supporting a growing network of Wastepreneurs and informal waste workers. Our vision is a world where waste causes no harm, and its value is fully recovered—and empowering informal waste workers is central to achieving it.
We welcome passionate individuals who share this commitment and want to help build a more sustainable future.
Job Purpose
The Project Officer will provide project management and administrative support to the Project Manager in delivering nominated projects in South Africa, initially focusing on the Wastepreneur® project in Cosmo City, Johannesburg, and the First Step Resource Management project in Mpumalanga. The nature and number of projects to be managed will vary according to organisational needs and available funding. Reporting to the Project Manager (SA), the post holder will support the day-to-day delivery of high-quality and impactful community-focused projects in the waste management and recycling sectors. Joining our small but growing team means diving right in. The Project Officer will take a hands-on role across various stages of programme delivery, and will be deeply involved in keeping projects on track and ensuring all project milestones are met on time and aligned with organisational standards.