ETDP SETA Internship (40 Hours Per Week) at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities:

• The intern will be placed within the Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DiMTEC) department at the University of the Free State and will be required to perform duties aligned with the Master’s degree in Disaster Management. 
• Duties will vary depending on placement, but will generally include the following:
• Assist with disaster risk reduction, resilience, climate adaptation, and disaster management research projects
• Conduct systematic literature searches and synthesize scientific publications relevant to assigned projects.
• Assist in collecting quantitative and qualitative data using approved research methods and ethical standards.
• Assist in analysing research data using appropriate statistical or qualitative analysis software.
• Draft research reports, policy briefs, technical reports, and sections of academic publications.
• Support planning and delivery of disaster management training workshops, seminars, and short courses.
• Assist in communication and engagement with government departments, NGOs, communities, and research partners.
• Attend seminars, journal clubs, conferences, and professional development activities relevant to disaster management.
• Adhere to institutional policies, research ethics, confidentiality, and health and safety requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve academic qualifications, research processes, training activities, or administrative systems.

Inherent requirements:

• A Master’s degree on NQF Level 9 in Disaster Management or closely related field. 
• The applicant should not be studying full-time. 
• Must be a South African Citizen. 
• Must not have participated in an internship before or currently be participating in an existing   learnership/internship programme. 
• The applicant should not have any previous formal work experience. 
• The applicant must be willing to sign a learnership/internship agreement with UFS.
• The applicant must be available for a period of 2 years to participate in the learnership/internship.
• The applicant must be between 18 and 35 years of age. 

Recommendations:

• Applicants who have completed Geographic Information Systems (GIS) training or certification relevant to disaster risk management. 
• Applicants with experience using ArcGIS/QGIS, SPSS, R, NVivo, or similar software as part of their postgraduate research. 
• Applicants who have participated in community-based disaster risk reduction or climate resilience projects as volunteers or through university projects. 
• Applicants who have served as a postgraduate tutor, demonstrator, or research assistant during their studies. 
• Applicants who are members of a recognised professional body related to disaster management or environmental sciences (where student membership is possible).

Competencies
Required competencies:
Results Orientated:

• The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success.
• The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

Strategic Thinking:

• The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
• The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

Business Acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.

Leading:

• The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
• The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

Building Coalitions:

• The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
• The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Closing date:20/7/2026