UN Women South Africa is recruiting two on-site Programme Support Interns to assist with the EntreprenHER Programme in partnership with the Local Economic Development (LED) units in Blouberg and Musina Municipalities. This is an entry-level internship for students or recent graduates who want hands-on exposure to women’s economic empowerment work, community-based programme delivery and municipal partnerships.
Quick overview
| Position | Programme Support Intern – EntreprenHER Programme |
|---|---|
| Employer | UN Women (South Africa) |
| Location | On-site – Blouberg and Musina Municipalities, South Africa |
| Employment type | Intern |
| Number of positions | Two (supporting the two municipalities) |
| Work arrangement | On-site |
| Languages required | English plus Sepedi and/or Xivhenda (excellent written and oral skills) |
| Education eligibility | University or TVET studies in relevant fields; applicants must be enrolled in final year, enrolled in graduate study, within two years of graduation, or part of a traineeship as described in the internship eligibility criteria |
| Stipend | UN Women will provide a stipend to interns who do not receive financial support from other sources to partially subsidise basic living costs |
| Application essentials | Completed and signed P.11 form; proof of enrollment or degree; proof of health insurance at the duty station; passport/ID and visa as applicable |
| How to apply | Apply via UN Women application page |
About the organisation
UN Women is the United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women. It works to eliminate discrimination against women and girls and to support their economic empowerment as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. The EntreprenHER Programme, funded by the De Beers Group and implemented by UN Women South Africa, supports women-owned micro-enterprises through training, digital literacy, mentorship, market access and small grants.
What the role involves
As a Programme Support Intern you will provide structured programme, administrative, logistical, communications and basic data support to the EntreprenHER team and municipal partners. You will work closely with the Programme Analyst and municipal leads in Blouberg and Musina to help ensure smooth delivery of trainings, mentorship sessions, exhibitions and other activities that empower low-income women entrepreneurs.
Duties and responsibilities
- Programme & logistical support: assist with logistical arrangements for trainings, mentorship sessions, graduations, exhibitions and stakeholder events; prepare materials such as attendance registers, name tags, certificates and visibility items; provide on-site support during activities and field visits.
- Administrative & coordination support: maintain organised electronic and physical programme files; update simple trackers, beneficiary contact lists and activity schedules; follow up with beneficiaries and partners as guided.
- Data and monitoring support: collect and organise attendance registers and supporting documents; perform basic data entry and upload information onto programme platforms under guidance; check completeness of documentation before submission.
- Communication support: coordinate with communications teams for visibility at events; ensure correct branding materials are used at programme activities.
- Stakeholder support and learning: attend selected meetings as an observer and assist with note-taking; support meeting logistics and coordination; gain exposure to partnership coordination between UN Women, municipalities, trainers and entrepreneurs.
Requirements explained clearly
Eligibility and academic standing:
- University or TVET studies in relevant disciplines such as Entrepreneurship/Business Studies, Development Studies, Social Studies, Public Administration or other related subjects.
- You must meet one of the following academic criteria: be enrolled in a graduate programme (second degree or higher); be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree (minimum bachelor’s level); have graduated with a university degree and be within two years of graduation; or be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program that requires the internship as part of the degree.
Languages:
- Excellent written and oral English is required.
- Excellent written and oral Sepedi and/or Xivhenda is required to work effectively with beneficiaries and local stakeholders in the duty locations.
Core and functional competencies:
- Core values: integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.
- Core competencies: awareness of gender issues, accountability, creative problem solving, effective communication, inclusive collaboration, stakeholder engagement and leading by example.
- Functional skills: programme/project coordination support, administrative and organisational capability, basic data collection and management, ability to work in rural and community-based settings, experience collaborating with municipalities and community stakeholders, basic knowledge of entrepreneurship development and good time management/multitasking ability.
Who should consider applying
This internship is suited to students or recent graduates who want practical, community-facing experience in women’s economic empowerment, small-business support and municipal programme delivery. Ideal candidates will:
- Be studying or recently graduated in a relevant field (business, development studies, public administration or similar).
- Have strong communication skills in English and Sepedi and/or Xivhenda.
- Be comfortable working on-site in rural or semi-rural municipal settings (Blouberg and Musina).
- Be organised, willing to handle logistics and basic data tasks, and eager to learn about entrepreneurship training, digital literacy and market-access support for women micro-entrepreneurs.
Application checklist
Submit these documents and prepare the following before applying:
- Completed and signed P.11 form (mandatory).
- Proof of current enrolment or a copy of your degree certificate (as applicable to your eligibility category).
- Proof of enrollment in a valid health insurance plan at the internship duty station.
- Scanned copy of passport or national ID; copy of a valid visa if you are not a South African national.
- If you are not receiving financial support from other sources, understand that a stipend will be provided to partially subsidise basic living costs.
- Standard preparation advice: have an updated CV and a short cover note that highlights relevant coursework, community or municipal experience, language skills (English and Sepedi/Xivhenda) and your interest in women’s entrepreneurship.
How to apply
Apply online through UN Women’s application page.
Make sure your application package includes a completed P.11 form and the documents listed in the checklist. UN Women will contact successful candidates only.
Create a Job Specific ATS CV and a Cover Letter Here
Edupstairs advice: strengthen your application
- Tailor your P.11 and cover note: The P.11 form is essential—ensure every section (education, employment history, contact details) is complete and accurate. Use the cover note to connect your academic background and community experience to the EntreprenHER programme’s objectives (women micro-enterprise support, digital literacy, market access).
- Highlight relevant language skills: Give concrete examples of when you used English and Sepedi and/or Xivhenda in community settings, training delivery, or stakeholder communication.
- Show logistical and data competence: Mention any event planning, administrative, data-entry, or monitoring tasks you’ve done—these are central to the role. Specify tools you’ve used (e.g. Excel, Google Sheets, or basic data platforms) if applicable.
- Use examples from community or municipal work: If you’ve worked with local government, LED units, clinics, schools or community organisations, briefly describe your role and outcomes—this demonstrates you can operate in rural, municipal contexts.
- Prepare for background checks: Selected candidates will undergo verification of academic credentials and employment history. Keep certified copies or scans of your documents ready to upload if requested.
Tools you may find useful:
- RDP / BNG Housing Eligibility Checker
- SASSA Grant Eligibility Checker
- SAPS / Metro / Traffic / DCS Eligibility Checker
- Youth Employment Eligibility Checker
- SA Bursary & NSFAS Eligibility Checker
- UIF Benefits Eligibility Checker and Payment Estimator
View Other Employment Opportunities here
Need Help?
Frequently asked questions
- How many internship positions are available?Two interns will be appointed to support the EntreprenHER Programme in the two partner municipalities.
- Is the internship on-site or remote?The work arrangement is on-site, with placement in Blouberg and Musina municipalities.
- What languages are required?Excellent written and oral English is required, plus excellent written and oral Sepedi and/or Xivhenda.
- Will interns be paid?Interns who are not receiving financial support from other sources (such as universities) will receive a stipend from UN Women to partially subsidise basic living costs for the duration of the internship.
- What documents must I include with my application?You must attach a completed and signed P.11 form. You should also be prepared to provide proof of enrollment or degree, proof of health insurance at the duty station, a passport or national ID and a visa if applicable.
- Will UN Women contact all applicants?Due to the volume of applications, UN Women will only contact candidates who are successful in the shortlisting process.
You can also:
- View latest Internships
- View latest Learnerships
- View Latest Bursaries
- View latest Government jobs
- View latest Company Vacancies
- View latest Municipality vacancies
- Visit the Edupstairs blog for daily updates
Application Outcome Tracker (anonymous)
No names collected. This helps future applicants understand real-world timelines.
Have you applied for this opportunity?
Disclaimer
Please confirm final details, application requirements and submission steps on the official UN Women application page before applying.
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