UN Women Programme Support Internships 2026

UN Women invites qualifying university and TVET students and recent graduates to apply for two Programme Support Internship opportunities under the EntreprenHER Programme for 2026.

Internship Application Closing Date: 28 July 2026 at 05:59

Internship Location: Blouberg and Musina Local Municipalities, Limpopo, South Africa

UN Women EntreprenHER Programme Support Internships 2026

UN Women is recruiting two interns to support the implementation of the EntreprenHER Programme in partnership with the Local Economic Development units of Blouberg and Musina Local Municipalities.

The six-month internship offers practical exposure to programme coordination, administration, event logistics, communications, data management and stakeholder engagement.

Successful candidates will work under the supervision of the EntreprenHER Programme Analyst and collaborate closely with municipal officials, trainers, entrepreneurs and community stakeholders.

Internship Programme Overview

Organisation: UN Women
Programme: EntreprenHER Programme
Position: Programme Support Intern
Job identification number: 34997
Job function: Economic Empowerment
Number of opportunities: Two
Contract duration: Six months
Work schedule: Full-time
Duty locations: Blouberg and Musina Local Municipalities
Province: Limpopo
Closing date: 28 July 2026 at 05:59
Application method: Online

About the EntreprenHER Programme

The EntreprenHER Programme has been funded by De Beers Group since 2018 and is implemented by the UN Women South Africa Country Office.

The programme supports women-owned micro-enterprises through interventions such as:

Business-development training.
Start and Improve Your Business training.
Digital-literacy training.
Business mentorship.
Market-access support.
Exhibitions.
Small grants.
Entrepreneurship development.
Networking opportunities.

Phase III aims to support 1 500 low-income women entrepreneurs across Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.

Programme Objectives

The EntreprenHER Programme aims to:

Improve the business and life skills of women entrepreneurs.
Help participants manage and grow their enterprises.
Support income security and economic independence.
Promote policies that advance women-owned micro-enterprises.
Improve access to markets through digital platforms.
Increase access to foundational and advanced digital skills.
Support women farmers through climate-smart agricultural technologies.
Connect women entrepreneurs with networks and business opportunities.
Strengthen programme delivery through municipal and implementing partners.
Increase the visibility and replication of women’s economic-empowerment initiatives.

Purpose of the Internship

The successful interns will provide structured administrative, logistical, communication and data support for the effective implementation of the EntreprenHER Programme.

The role is suitable for candidates who are interested in:

Programme administration.
Community development.
Entrepreneurship support.
Public administration.
Stakeholder coordination.
Women’s economic empowerment.
Municipal development.
Monitoring and data management.
Event coordination.

Programme and Logistical Support Responsibilities

The interns will assist with preparations for programme activities such as:

Training sessions.
Mentorship sessions.
Graduation events.
Exhibitions.
Stakeholder meetings.
Community-based activities.
Field visits.

Duties may include:

Preparing attendance registers.
Preparing name tags.
Organising certificates.
Arranging visibility materials.
Supporting event setup.
Providing assistance during field activities.
Helping coordinate participants and service providers.

Administrative and Coordination Support

The successful candidates will assist with:

Maintaining electronic programme files.
Maintaining physical files.
Updating beneficiary contact lists.
Updating activity schedules.
Maintaining programme trackers.
Following up with beneficiaries.
Communicating with programme partners.
Organising supporting documentation.
Assisting with routine programme administration.

Data and Monitoring Support

The interns will provide basic data and monitoring assistance by:

Collecting attendance registers.
Organising supporting documents.
Capturing programme information.
Uploading information onto programme platforms.
Checking documents for completeness.
Updating beneficiary records.
Supporting basic monitoring processes.
Maintaining accurate programme data.

Applicants should be comfortable working with records, spreadsheets and digital platforms.

Communication Support

The interns will support programme visibility and communication activities.

Responsibilities may include:

Coordinating with communications teams.
Supporting event visibility.
Ensuring that correct branding materials are displayed.
Assisting with programme photographs and records.
Supporting communication with beneficiaries.
Helping prepare basic programme information.

Stakeholder and Meeting Support

The interns will gain exposure to coordination between:

UN Women.
Blouberg Local Municipality.
Musina Local Municipality.
Trainers.
Women entrepreneurs.
Programme beneficiaries.
Community stakeholders.
Implementing partners.

They may also:

Attend selected meetings.
Take meeting notes.
Assist with meeting logistics.
Prepare attendance registers.
Coordinate venues and materials.
Follow up on agreed actions.

Minimum Education Requirements

Applicants must have university or TVET studies in one of the following fields:

Entrepreneurship.
Business Studies.
Development Studies.
Social Studies.
Public Administration.
A related discipline.

Applicants must also meet at least one of the following conditions:

Be enrolled in a postgraduate programme.
Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree.
Have graduated with a university degree within the previous two years.
Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship that forms part of a degree programme.

Can TVET Students Apply?

Yes.

The advertisement accepts relevant university or TVET studies, provided applicants meet the applicable internship eligibility conditions.

TVET applicants should ensure that their qualification is related to entrepreneurship, business, development, public administration, social studies or another relevant discipline.

Language Requirements

Applicants must have excellent written and spoken communication skills in:

English; and
Sepedi and/or Xitsonga.

The source advertisement refers to Xivhenda, rather than Xitsonga. Applicants should therefore verify the language requirement carefully when completing the application.

Strong local-language ability is important because the interns will work with municipal officials, entrepreneurs and community-based programme participants.

Functional Competencies

Applicants should demonstrate:

Programme-coordination support skills.
Project-administration ability.
Strong organisational skills.
Data-collection skills.
Basic data-management ability.
Ability to work in rural communities.
Ability to work with municipalities.
Ability to engage community stakeholders.
Basic understanding of entrepreneurship development.
Knowledge of small-business support programmes.
Good time management.
Ability to multitask.
Attention to detail.

UN Women Core Values

Applicants should demonstrate the following values:

Integrity.
Professionalism.
Respect for diversity.

Core Competencies

Suitable candidates should demonstrate:

Awareness of gender issues.
Accountability.
Creative problem solving.
Effective communication.
Inclusive collaboration.
Stakeholder engagement.
Ability to lead by example.
Respect for different backgrounds and experiences.

Internship Stipend

Interns who do not receive financial support from another source may receive a stipend from UN Women.

The stipend is intended to partially contribute towards basic living expenses during the internship.

The exact stipend amount was not specified in the advertisement.

Applicants who already receive funding from a university or another institution may not qualify for the UN Women stipend.

Documents Required

Applicants must submit:

A completed and signed UN Women P.11 form.
A complete online application.
Full education details.
Complete employment-history details.
Any supporting academic documents requested through the portal.

Successful candidates will later be required to provide:

Proof of enrolment in valid health insurance.
Proof of university or school enrolment.
Proof of degree completion.
A scanned passport or national identity document.
A valid visa, where applicable.
Additional documents required for reference and background checks.

Importance of the P.11 Form

All applicants must submit a completed and signed P.11 form.

The form should contain:

Personal information.
Contact details.
Education history.
Employment history.
Language abilities.
References.
Relevant programme or volunteer experience.
The applicant’s signature and date.

Failure to complete every section of the application may result in disqualification.

Background and Reference Checks

Selected candidates will undergo reference and background checks.

These may include:

Academic-qualification verification.
Employment-history verification.
Identity verification.
Reference checks.
Confirmation of eligibility.
Additional checks considered necessary by UN Women.

Applicants must ensure that all information provided is complete and accurate.

Diversity and Inclusion

UN Women is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Applications are considered on the basis of:

Qualifications.
Competence.
Integrity.
Organisational requirements.

Applicants who require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process should include this information in their application.

How to Apply for UN Women Programme Support Internships 2026

Applications must be submitted online through the official UN Women recruitment platform.

Click here to apply for UN Women Programme Support Internships 2026

Use the following details to identify the opportunity:

Position: Programme Support Intern – EntreprenHER Programme
Job identification number: 34997

Applicants should:

Open the official vacancy page.
Create or sign in to an applicant profile.
Complete all sections of the application.
Upload the completed and signed P.11 form.
Provide complete education details.
Provide complete employment-history information.
Review all information carefully.
Submit the application before the closing time.

Internship Application Closing Date

Applications close on 28 July 2026 at 05:59.

Applicants should submit their applications well before the deadline because the listed closing time is early in the morning.

Application Outcome

Due to the expected number of applications, UN Women will contact successful candidates only.

Applicants who are not shortlisted may not receive individual feedback.

Important Application Advice

Before submitting the application, confirm that:

Your qualification is relevant to the internship.
You meet one of the UN Women internship eligibility categories.
You can communicate effectively in English.
You can communicate in Sepedi and/or Xivhenda.
Your P.11 form is complete and signed.
Your education history is fully completed.
Your employment history is fully completed.
You are willing to work in Blouberg or Musina.
You are comfortable working in community-based settings.
Your application is submitted before 05:59 on 28 July 2026.

About UN Women

UN Women is the United Nations entity responsible for advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Its work focuses on eliminating discrimination, promoting women’s rights, supporting economic empowerment and ensuring that women participate fully in development, humanitarian action, peace and security.