South African graduates and unemployed youth looking for meaningful work experience now have an exciting opportunity through the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) under the Seventh Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP7). The programme aims to recruit young South Africans to assist with the digitisation of historical records held by the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa (NARSSA) and Provincial Archives across the country.
If you have qualifications in Archival Studies, Information Science, Records Management, Film Studies, Sound Engineering, or related fields, this could be your opportunity to contribute to preserving South Africa’s documentary heritage while gaining valuable public sector experience.
Quick Overview
| Opportunity | NFVF PESP7 Assistant Archivist Programme |
| Organisation | National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) |
| Programme | Seventh Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP7) |
| Project | Digitisation of National Archives |
| Positions | Assistant Archivists |
| Locations | All 9 Provinces plus National Archives in Pretoria |
| Opening Date | 15 July 2026 |
| Closing Date | 03 August 2026 (16:00) |
| Expected Start Date | 24 August 2026 |
| Age Requirement | 35 years or younger |
| Application Method | |
| Previous PESP Participants | Discouraged from applying |
What is the NFVF PESP7 Programme?
The Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP) was created by the South African Government to create employment opportunities while supporting sectors that contribute to national development.
For the seventh phase of the programme, the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), together with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), is leading a large-scale digitisation project involving the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa.
The goal is to preserve thousands of historical documents, photographs, films, recordings and other important records by converting them into digital formats that can be protected for future generations.
Successful applicants will play an important role in safeguarding South Africa’s history.
About the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF)
The National Film and Video Foundation is a public entity under the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
Its mandate includes:
- Developing South Africa’s film industry
- Supporting local filmmakers
- Preserving audiovisual heritage
- Promoting skills development
- Creating employment opportunities
- Supporting transformation within the creative sector
Through initiatives such as PESP, the NFVF helps create jobs while strengthening important cultural institutions like the National Archives.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is looking for:
- South African citizens
- Graduates
- Unemployed youth
- Applicants aged 35 years and younger
Applicants who previously participated in Presidential Employment Stimulus projects are discouraged from applying.
Available Assistant Archivist Posts
The project will appoint Assistant Archivists across South Africa.
Western Cape
- Reference Number: WC.01
- Location: Cape Town
- Number of Posts: 10
KwaZulu-Natal
Reference Number: KZN.01
Locations
- Ulundi
- Durban
- Pietermaritzburg
Number of Posts: 22
North West
- Reference Number: NW.01
- Location: Mahikeng
- Number of Posts: 22
Limpopo
Reference Number: LMP.01
Locations
- Polokwane
- Makwarela
- Giyani
- Lebowakgomo
Number of Posts: 20
Mpumalanga
- Reference Number: MP.01
- Location: Mbombela
- Number of Posts: 22
Eastern Cape
Reference Number: EC.01
Locations
- Qonce
- Gqeberha
- Mthatha
Number of Posts: 22
Gauteng
Reference Number: GP.01
Locations
- Kagiso
- Johannesburg
Number of Posts: 22
Northern Cape
Reference Number: NC.01
Locations: Kimberley Districts:
- Frances Baard
- JTG
- ZFM
- PKS
- Namakwa
Number of Posts: 22
Free State
- Reference Number: FS.01
- Location: Bloemfontein
- Number of Posts: 15
National Archives
- Reference Number: NARSSA.01
- Location: Pretoria
- Number of Posts: 23
These positions are spread across provincial archives and the National Archives headquarters. Applicants must indicate the specific site where they wish to work if their province has multiple locations.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Most provinces require one of the following qualifications:
- Four-year Diploma in Archival Studies
- Three-year Degree in Archival Studies
- Information Science
- Records Management
- Film Studies
- Sound Engineering
Some provincial offices also accept:
- Archives and Records Management
- Heritage Studies
- Information Communication Technology (Northern Cape)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Archives and Records Management (Eastern Cape)
Applicants should carefully check the qualification requirements for the specific reference number before applying.
Typical Duties
Depending on your placement, duties may include:
- Digitisation of archival records
- Arrangement and description of archives
- Records management
- Oral history collection
- Preservation and conservation
- Reading room management
- Strong room maintenance
- Client services
- Appraisal and disposal
- Sound preservation
- Digital archiving
- Videography and editing
- Capacity building
These responsibilities provide valuable exposure to modern archival and information management practices.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit:
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Certified copy of Driver’s Licence (Code 10 with PDP where applicable)
- Certified copies of qualifications
- Certified copies of certificates
Incomplete applications may not be considered.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via email to: pesp7internship@nfvf.co.za
Also Check: What to Write in an Email When Sending Your CV
Important instructions:
- Include the relevant job reference number in the subject line.
- If your province has more than one site, clearly indicate the site you are applying for.
- Submit your application before 03 August 2026 at 16:00.
The project is expected to begin on 24 August 2026.
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Recruitment Process
Suitable candidates will undergo:
- Citizenship verification
- Criminal record checks
- Qualification verification
If you do not receive feedback within 30 days after the closing date, your application should be regarded as unsuccessful.
The NFVF also reserves the right not to make an appointment.
How to Improve Your Chances
Before submitting your application:
- Tailor your CV to archival and records management work.
- Highlight digitisation, filing, cataloguing or information management experience.
- Include academic projects related to archives or records.
- Ensure all certified documents are clear and recent.
- Double-check that the correct reference number appears in your email subject.
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Edupstairs Advice
Government opportunities such as the NFVF PESP7 programme are highly competitive because they offer valuable workplace experience and contribute to preserving South Africa’s heritage. Don’t wait until the last day to apply. Prepare your documents early, ensure your qualifications match the advertised requirements, and submit a complete, professional application with the correct reference number. A well-organised application demonstrates attention to detail—an important quality for archival and records management roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this a permanent job?
No. These appointments form part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme and are linked to the digitisation project.
- Can recent graduates apply?
Yes. The programme specifically targets graduates and unemployed youth aged 35 years and younger who meet the qualification requirements.
- Can I apply if I participated in a previous PESP project?
The advertisement discourages previous PESP participants from applying.
- Where will successful candidates work?
Successful applicants will be placed at Provincial Archives across all nine provinces or at the National Archives in Pretoria.
- Is work experience required?
The advertisement focuses on the required qualifications. Relevant experience may strengthen your application, but the stated minimum requirements centre on the appropriate academic qualification.
- What happens if I apply for the wrong reference number?
Your application may not be considered for your preferred location. Always use the correct reference number and specify your preferred site where applicable.
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Disclaimers
This article is intended to explain the official opportunity in simple language and help applicants understand the recruitment process. Always refer to the official NFVF advertisement for the final requirements, reference numbers, locations and application instructions before submitting your application.
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. USE THE EDUPSTAIRS SCAM DETECTOR TOOL TO SPOT A SCAM BEFORE YOU APPLY