Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Internship Programme 2026/2027

Breaking into the public sector can be tough—especially if you’re a young South African graduate trying to gain experience for the first time. The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) is stepping up once again with an incredible opportunity: the 2026/2027 Internship Programme, created specifically for unemployed graduates and students who still need practical training to complete their qualifications.

If you’ve been waiting for a chance to work in government, build real experience, and contribute to improving service delivery in South Africa, this internship could be the perfect launchpad.

Quick Overview

Opportunity	Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Internship Programme 2026/2027
Who Can Apply	Unemployed South African graduates and N6 students needing in-service training
Qualifications Required	LLB/BA Law, Social Science, Education, Health Sciences, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Office Management, Business Administration
Number of Posts	4 Internships (1 Post per Branch)
Stipend	Determined by DPME Internship policy
Location	Pretoria (Hatfield)
Closing Date	05 December 2025
Application Methods	Hand-delivery, Postal, Email (per post reference)
Email Addresses	recruitmentintern01@dpme.gov.za, recruitmentintern02@dpme.gov.za, recruitmentintern04@dpme.gov.za, recruitmentintern03@dpme.gov.za

Every young graduate in South Africa deserves a fair chance to build a strong career foundation. But without experience, finding your first job can feel impossible. That’s exactly why the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) created its Internship Programme—to bridge the gap between education and employment, and to help young people get their foot in the door of the public service.

The 2026/2027 programme is not just “another internship.”
It’s a hands-on opportunity to work directly with experts who shape policies, monitor government performance, and help improve service delivery across the country. This is your chance to contribute to something bigger while building real skills and experience.

Whether your passion is law, economics, health, education, office administration, or public planning—there is a place for you in this programme.

About the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME)

The DPME is one of South Africa’s most influential government departments. Its role is to measure, improve, and ensure that government programmes deliver better results for citizens.

Their responsibilities include:

Coordinating national planning across departments
Monitoring service delivery
Evaluating the performance of government programmes
Promoting accountability and efficiency
Ensuring that the government meets its long-term commitments

Interns placed here gain exposure to real national priorities and gain experience that is recognised across the entire public sector.

Available Internship Posts

Corporate Services Branch Internship

Reference Number: DPME/2025/01
Qualifications Needed:

LLB Degree
OR BA Laws
(Qualification must be recognised by SAQA)

Email Application To: Recruitmentintern01@dpme.gov.za

This placement is ideal for law graduates who want to gain experience in areas such as legal compliance, governance, policy development, and administrative law. If you dream of working in the public sector’s legal environment, this post is a strong entry point.

National Planning Coordination Secretariat Internship

Reference Number: DPME/2025/02
Qualifications Needed:

Degree in Social Science
OR Education
OR Health Sciences

Email Application To: Recruitmentintern02@dpme.gov.za

This unit plays a key role in long-term planning and ensuring that government programmes align with national priorities. Graduates in social or health sciences will gain exposure to monitoring, research, and strategy coordination.

State-Owned Enterprise Branch Internship

Reference Number: DPME/2025/04
Qualifications Needed:

Degree in Economics
OR Finance
OR Accounting
(Recognised by SAQA)

Email Application To: Recruitmentintern04@dpme.gov.za

This role is perfect for graduates who want to understand the economic and financial oversight of state-owned enterprises. Expect exposure to budgeting, performance evaluations, audits, and financial analysis.

Sector & Monitoring Services (In-service Training / Internship)

Reference Number: DPME/2025/03
Qualifications Needed:
Choose one of the following pathways:

In-Service Training: N6 Certificate in Office Management
Internship Programme: Degree in Business Administration

Email Application To: Recruitmentintern03@dpme.gov.za

This opportunity is fantastic for N6 Office Management students who need 18-month workplace experience, and business administration graduates looking to build professional administrative experience.

Who Should Apply? (Requirements)

To qualify for any of these internship posts, applicants must:

Be a South African citizen
Be unemployed
Have completed a relevant qualification (or be an N6 student needing in-service training)
Have qualifications recognised by SAQA
Be passionate about public service and national development

Additional advantage:

Good communication skills
Basic computer literacy
Willingness to learn, adapt and grow

How to Apply

You can apply using three methods:

Hand Deliver

Address:
330 Grosvenor Street,
Hatfield,
Pretoria, 0028

Postal Submission

Address:
Private Bag X944,
Pretoria, 0028
(Attention: Human Resource Admin & Recruitment)

Email Submission

Submit using the specific email address listed for each branch.

Important Notes:

Quote the correct reference number in your application.
Include certified copies of qualifications.
Submit a detailed CV and ID copy.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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Before you Apply, Check the Edupstairs Youth Tools Hub below that can be helpful in your application

Career Growth Path After This Internship

Completing the DPME internship opens doors to:

Public sector administration roles
Analyst positions (monitoring, evaluation, planning)
Legal advisory positions
Finance and economic analysis roles
Office administration jobs
Opportunities in other national and provincial departments
Entry into government graduate programs
Career advancement into senior public service roles

An internship like this is often the first step toward long-term public sector employment.

Edupstairs Advice

Here’s how to maximise your chances:

Tailor your CV to the specific internship

Highlight modules, practical experience and projects relevant to the specific branch.

Write a strong, personal motivation letter

Show why you want to contribute to public service—not just why you need experience.

Apply early

Government posts attract thousands of applications.

Prepare for interviews

Expect questions on:

South Africa’s National Development Plan
The role of monitoring & evaluation
Public sector ethics
Your field of study

Use Edupstairs Tools

Simple CV Builder
AI Cover Letter Generator
Learnership & Internship Checklist Tool
Interview Simulator Tool

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does the DPME internship come with a stipend?

Yes. The stipend is based on government internship guidelines and your qualification level.

Can N6 students apply?

Yes, but only for the Sector & Monitoring Services branch.

Can I apply for more than one internship?

Yes, as long as you meet the requirements and apply using the correct reference numbers.

Do I need work experience?

No, these internships are designed for unemployed graduates.

How long is the internship programme?

It typically runs for 12 – 24 months, depending on the branch.

Will I get a permanent job after the internship?

Not guaranteed, but many interns secure government employment afterward.

Can I email my application?

Yes, but only to the email linked to your chosen internship.

What documents must I include?

ID copy, CV, qualifications, SAQA verification (if applicable).

Where is the internship located?

Hatfield, Pretoria.

When is the closing date?

05 December 2025.

Enquiries:

Tel: (012) 312 0457 — Ms Sharon Maloma
Tel: (012) 312 0464 — Mr Mongezi Davashe

You can also:

Disclaimer

Edupstairs is NOT the official Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME). We do not represent the department, we do not accept applications on their behalf, and we do not influence the recruitment process.

All information in this article is published exactly as provided by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.
Applicants must verify all details on the official DPME platforms before applying.

Edupstairs simply shares opportunities to help South African youth access jobs, internships, learnerships and bursaries.
We encourage readers to:

Apply through the official methods listed in the vacancy
Never pay anyone for job applications
Be cautious of scams
Contact the department directly for enquiries

Edupstairs will not be held liable for any omissions, updates, changes, or outcomes related to this opportunity.

EDUPSTAIRS IS A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION NPO No: 232 – 182, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION (PBO): 930066984. EDUPSTAIRS DOES NOT, IN ANY WAY OR FORM, SOLICIT MONEY OR CV’S FROM PEOPLE FOR JOBS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF PHONY JOB POSTINGS AND RECRUITMENT FRAUD. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR SCAM/FRAUD ALERT PAGE HERE