Do you have a fresh master’s degree in Disaster Management and are looking for a real‑world launch? The University of the Free State is offering a single 24‑month ETDP SETA Disaster Management internship that starts on 1 August 2026. Apply before 20 July 2026 and you could earn R8 500 per month while gaining specialist experience.
What the internship is
The role sits in the Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DiMTEC) within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. It is a full‑time, 40‑hour‑a‑week placement lasting 24 months. You will work on research, data analysis, policy briefs, training workshops and stakeholder engagement.
Who can apply
You must meet ALL of the following conditions:
- South African citizen, aged 18‑35
- Unemployed and not studying full‑time
- No previous formal work experience or prior internship/learnership
- Available for the whole 24‑month period
- Willing to sign an internship agreement with the university
- Completed a NQF Level 9 master’s degree in Disaster Management OR a closely related field
What you will gain
During the two‑year programme you will develop:
- Research skills – literature reviews, data collection, statistical or qualitative analysis, report writing
- Understanding of disaster‑risk reduction, climate adaptation and community resilience
- Experience organising workshops, seminars and short courses
- Professional networks with government departments, NGOs, university staff and community groups
- A solid CV entry that shows you can work independently and as part of a team
How to apply (step‑by‑step)
- Visit the official University of the Free State online recruitment portal and search for reference number 110357.
- Create an account and start the “ETDP SETA Internship” application.
- Upload the required documents (maximum eight files):
- Current CV
- Certified copies of all qualifications (incl. master’s degree)
- South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluation if you studied abroad
- ID document
- Affidavit confirming unemployment
- Affidavit confirming you have not done a SETA‑funded internship before
- Any extra certificates or supporting papers
- Combine related files into a single PDF to stay within the eight‑attachment limit (e.g., qualifications + academic record together, ID + affidavits together).
- Review all uploads, ensure they are clear and correctly oriented, then submit the form before 23:59 on 20 July 2026.
Tips to improve your chances
- Check that every required affidavit is signed and legible.
- Name each PDF clearly (e.g., “CV_YourName.pdf”, “Qualifications.pdf”).
- Highlight any extra skills such as GIS (ArcGIS, QGIS), statistical software (SPSS, R), or qualitative tools (NVivo).
- Mention any community‑based disaster‑risk projects, tutoring or research assistant roles.
- Proof‑read your CV for spelling, dates and formatting; errors are a common reason for rejection.
- Stay calm if you do not hear back within six weeks – it likely means you were not shortlisted.
Next steps
If you meet the criteria, start preparing your documents now. Combine PDFs, double‑check the attachment limit and submit before the deadline. For any questions, call 051 401 7659 or email SejanamaneP@ufs.ac.za (the phone lines 051 401 2558 and 051 401 9813 are also available). Remember, this is a competitive single‑position internship, so a complete, neat application is essential.