The University of the Free State invites qualifying unemployed South African graduates to apply for the ETDP SETA Disaster Management Internship Programme 2026.
Internship Application Closing Date: 20 July 2026
Internship Location: University of the Free State, Bloemfontein Campus, Free State, South Africa
University of the Free State ETDP SETA Internship Programme 2026
The University of the Free State is recruiting one unemployed graduate for a 24-month internship within the Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa.
The opportunity is suitable for a South African graduate who has completed a master’s degree in Disaster Management or a closely related discipline and has not previously participated in an internship programme.
The successful candidate will gain practical experience in disaster-risk reduction, climate adaptation, resilience research, stakeholder engagement and training activities.
Internship Programme Overview
Institution: University of the Free State
Faculty: Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Centre: Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa
Abbreviation: DiMTEC
Programme: ETDP SETA Internship
Job ID: 110357
Number of positions: One
Working hours: 40 hours per week
Contract duration: 24 months
Monthly salary: R8 500
Location: Bloemfontein Campus, Free State
Assumption of duties: 01 August 2026
Closing date: 20 July 2026
Application method: Online only
Purpose of the Internship
The intern will be placed within the Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa at the University of the Free State.
The programme will provide practical workplace experience aligned with the candidate’s master’s qualification in Disaster Management.
The successful intern will support research, training, policy development, data analysis and engagement activities relating to disaster-risk reduction and climate resilience.
Minimum Qualification Requirement
Applicants must have completed:
- A master’s degree at NQF Level 9 in Disaster Management; or
- A closely related NQF Level 9 qualification.
Applicants who have not completed the required qualification may not be considered.
General Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all the following requirements:
- Be South African citizens.
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Be unemployed.
- Not be studying full-time.
- Have no previous formal work experience.
- Not have participated in an internship programme before.
- Not currently be participating in a learnership or internship.
- Be available for the full 24-month programme.
- Be willing to sign an internship or learnership agreement with the University of the Free State.
The University will only consider applicants who meet all the inherent requirements.
Internship Duties and Responsibilities
The successful intern will perform duties aligned with Disaster Management research, education and training.
Responsibilities will include:
- Assisting with disaster-risk reduction research projects.
- Supporting resilience and climate-adaptation projects.
- Conducting systematic literature searches.
- Reviewing and summarising scientific publications.
- Assisting with quantitative and qualitative data collection.
- Following approved research methods and ethical standards.
- Supporting the analysis of research data.
- Using appropriate statistical or qualitative analysis software.
- Drafting research reports.
- Preparing policy briefs and technical reports.
- Contributing to sections of academic publications.
Training and Workshop Support
The intern will also assist with the planning and delivery of Disaster Management training activities.
This may include:
- Supporting training workshops.
- Assisting with seminars and short courses.
- Preparing workshop materials.
- Coordinating training-related administration.
- Supporting participants and facilitators.
- Assisting with professional-development activities.
- Attending relevant conferences, journal clubs and seminars.
Stakeholder Engagement
The successful candidate may work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including:
- Government departments.
- Non-governmental organisations.
- Community organisations.
- Research partners.
- Academic staff.
- Students.
- Disaster-management professionals.
- Environmental and climate-resilience stakeholders.
The intern will assist with professional communication and engagement activities involving these stakeholders.
Research and Data Responsibilities
The internship will provide exposure to research processes such as:
- Collecting quantitative data.
- Conducting qualitative research.
- Reviewing academic literature.
- Capturing and organising research information.
- Analysing research results.
- Preparing tables, reports and summaries.
- Maintaining confidential research records.
- Following institutional research-ethics requirements.
Applicants should be comfortable working with detailed information and academic documents.
Recommended Qualifications and Experience
The following will be advantageous:
- Geographic Information Systems training or certification.
- GIS experience relevant to disaster-risk management.
- Experience using ArcGIS or QGIS.
- Experience using SPSS, R or similar statistical software.
- Experience using NVivo or similar qualitative-analysis software.
- Participation in community-based disaster-risk reduction projects.
- Exposure to climate-resilience projects.
- Experience as a postgraduate tutor.
- Experience as a demonstrator or research assistant.
- Membership of a recognised professional body related to Disaster Management or environmental sciences.
These are recommendations and not replacements for the compulsory minimum requirements.
Required Competencies
Applicants should demonstrate the following competencies:
Results Orientation
- Ability to set high standards.
- Reliability and dependability.
- Commitment to completing assigned responsibilities.
- Motivation to achieve successful outcomes.
Strategic Thinking
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to organise work neatly.
- Logical analysis.
- Ability to evaluate information and solve problems.
Business Acumen
- Ability to follow rules and institutional procedures.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
- Understanding of workplace professionalism.
- Commitment to ethical conduct.
Leadership and Teamwork
- High levels of motivation and energy.
- Ability to cooperate with colleagues.
- Positive and professional attitude.
- Ability to encourage teamwork.
Relationship Building
- Ability to communicate with different stakeholders.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work through consultation.
- Ability to collaborate under supervision.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit all compulsory documents through the online application system.
Required documents include:
- A detailed and updated CV.
- Copies of completed qualifications.
- Official proof of qualifications obtained.
- SAQA evaluation for foreign qualifications.
- A copy of a South African identity document.
- An affidavit confirming that the applicant is unemployed.
- An affidavit confirming that the applicant has not previously participated in a SETA-funded internship.
- Any other documents listed on the online vacancy page.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Important Upload Instructions
The University of the Free State online recruitment system allows a maximum of eight attachments.
Applicants are advised to combine related documents into fewer PDF files before uploading them.
For example, applicants may combine:
- Qualifications and academic records.
- Identity document and affidavits.
- Certificates and supporting documents.
Applicants should ensure that all files are clear, readable and uploaded successfully.
How to Apply for the University of the Free State ETDP SETA Internship 2026
Applications must be submitted through the official University of the Free State online recruitment portal.
Click here to apply for the University of the Free State ETDP SETA Internship 2026
Use the following information to identify the vacancy:
Position: ETDP SETA Internship
Job ID: 110357
Applicants must complete the online application form and upload all required documents before the closing date.
Applications submitted by email, hand delivery or through another platform will not be considered.
Internship Salary and Duration
The successful candidate will receive a fixed salary of:
R8 500 per month
The internship will run for 24 months, with the successful applicant expected to work 40 hours per week.
The anticipated starting date is 01 August 2026.
Internship Enquiries
For enquiries relating to the position, contact:
Telephone: 051 401 7659
Email: SejanamaneP@ufs.ac.za
Applicants may also contact:
Telephone: 051 401 2558 or 051 401 9813
The advertisement also lists Recruit@ufs.az.za; applicants should verify this address through the official UFS recruitment portal before using it, as the domain may contain a typographical error.
Selection and Verification Process
Shortlisted candidates may be subjected to:
- Qualification verification.
- Identity verification.
- Citizenship verification.
- Internship-history checks.
- Employment-history checks.
- Reference checks.
- Competency assessments.
- Other relevant screening processes.
Applicants must provide accurate and verifiable information.
Employment Equity
The University of the Free State is committed to employment equity, diversity and institutional transformation.
Preference may be given to applicants from under-represented designated groups in accordance with the University’s Employment Equity Plan.
People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Protection of Personal Information
Personal information submitted during the application process will be handled in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act.
The University will use applicant information for recruitment, selection, verification and related employment processes.
Application Outcome
Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates.
Applicants who are not contacted within six weeks after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.
The University of the Free State reserves the right not to fill the position.
Internship Application Closing Date
Applications close on 20 July 2026.
Applicants should submit complete online applications before the deadline, as incomplete or late applications will not be considered.