The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) under the Department of Employment and Labour has opened applications for its Graduate Internship Programme for the 2027/2028 to 2029 financial years. Successful candidates will be placed at the Unemployment Insurance Fund Head Office in Pretoria and will receive a monthly stipend of R8,174.75.
This internship programme is designed to provide unemployed graduates with valuable workplace experience in their respective fields of study while preparing them for long-term careers within the public sector and beyond. The programme is aimed at graduates who have never participated in any internship programme in either the public or private sector.
UIF Graduate Internships Programme Overview
| Employer: Department of Employment and Labour – Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)
| Programme: Graduate Internship Programme 2027/2028
| Location: Pretoria, Gauteng
| Monthly Stipend: R8,174.75
| Internship Type: Graduate Internship
| Experience Required: None
| Employment Type: Fixed-term Internship
| Centre: UIF Head Office, Pretoria
Available Graduate Internship Opportunities
| Internship | Posts | Ref No | Qualification Required |
| Office of the UIF Commissioner | 2 | HR4/4/1/3OUIC2026/UIF | Secretariat Studies, Office Administration, Office Management, Management Assistant |
| Audit Governance Coordinator | 1 | HR4/4/1/3AGC2026/UIF | Internal Audit, Auditing, Accounting |
| Compliance Support | 1 | HR4/4/1/3CS2026/UIF | Internal Audit, Auditing, Accounting |
| Risk Management | 4 | HR4/4/1/3/RM2026/UIF | Risk Management, Internal Control, Corporate Governance, Compliance, Public Management, Public Administration |
| Internal Audit | 4 | HR4/4/1/3IA2026/UIF | Internal Auditing, Finance, Accounting, IT Auditing |
| Strategic Planning Monitoring and Evaluation | 3 | HR4/4/1/3SPME2026/UIF | Internal Audit, Forensic Audit, Economics, Accounting, Commerce, Development Studies, Social Science, Monitoring and Evaluation, Business Management, Business Administration |
About the UIF Graduate Internship Programme
The UIF Graduate Internship Programme forms part of the Department of Employment and Labour’s commitment to youth development and graduate employability. Participants will gain practical experience aligned with their academic qualifications while improving their employability and professional skills.
Successful interns will receive structured workplace exposure while working alongside experienced professionals in one of South Africa’s largest public institutions responsible for unemployment insurance administration.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Be unemployed.
- Hold an undergraduate qualification at NQF Level 6 recognised by SAQA in the relevant field.
- Never have participated in any internship programme in either the public or private sector.
- Meet the qualification requirements for the advertised internship.
- Be willing to work in Pretoria.
Internship Responsibilities
Depending on the internship placement, participants may perform the following duties.
Office of the UIF Commissioner
- Provide secretarial support.
- Manage appointments and diaries.
- Arrange meetings and workshops.
- Perform receptionist duties.
- Provide administrative support.
Audit Governance Coordinator
- Support internal and external audit activities.
- Coordinate audit requests.
- Assist with audit action plans.
- Support governance processes.
- Assist with probity implementation.
Compliance Support
- Assist with compliance monitoring.
- Conduct compliance risk assessments.
- Review policies and procedures.
- Support implementation of compliance plans.
- Prepare compliance reports.
Risk Management
- Support implementation of risk management strategies.
- Conduct risk-related research.
- Assist with fraud prevention programmes.
- Administer fraud registers.
- Participate in awareness initiatives.
Internal Audit
- Assist in planning audit engagements.
- Support audit projects.
- Prepare audit documentation.
- Monitor audit progress.
- Provide administrative support.
Strategic Planning Monitoring and Evaluation
- Assist with strategic planning.
- Support monitoring and evaluation systems.
- Analyse organisational performance.
- Conduct research.
- Prepare governance reports.
Skills You Will Gain
Successful interns may develop practical skills including:
- Internal auditing.
- Risk management.
- Strategic planning.
- Compliance monitoring.
- Financial administration.
- Governance.
- Monitoring and evaluation.
- Office administration.
- Research.
- Public sector administration.
- Report writing.
- Analytical thinking.
- Computer literacy.
- Communication.
- Planning and organising.
- Problem-solving.
- Presentation skills.
These skills are highly valuable across government departments, municipalities, financial institutions, insurance companies, audit firms and consulting organisations.
Career Opportunities After Completion
The internship can prepare graduates for careers including:
- Internal Auditor.
- Risk Officer.
- Compliance Officer.
- Governance Officer.
- Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.
- Strategic Planning Officer.
- Office Administrator.
- Executive Assistant.
- Finance Officer.
- Audit Coordinator.
- Public Administration Officer.
- Government Programme Officer.
Although permanent employment is not guaranteed, graduates will gain practical workplace experience that significantly strengthens their employability.
Monthly Stipend
Successful interns will receive:
- R8,174.75 per month
The stipend is intended to assist participants with transport and daily living expenses during the internship.
Required Qualifications
Applicants should possess an undergraduate qualification in one of the following fields where applicable:
- Office Administration
- Management Assistant
- Secretariat Studies
- Internal Auditing
- Auditing
- Accounting
- Finance
- IT Auditing
- Risk Management
- Internal Control
- Corporate Governance
- Compliance
- Public Administration
- Public Management
- Economics
- Commerce
- Development Studies
- Social Sciences
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Business Administration
- Business Management
Application Tips
To improve your chances of being shortlisted:
- Apply only for internships matching your qualification.
- Quote the correct reference number.
- Use a professional CV.
- Ensure your qualification is recognised by SAQA.
- Double-check the email address before submitting.
- Apply before the closing date.
- Include all requested documentation.
- Use a clear email subject line with the reference number.
Where to Apply
Applications must be submitted via email to the relevant internship mailbox.
- Follow the UIF Graduate Internships Programme career portal to get the right email address and other Internship programmes
NB: Applicants should quote the correct reference number in their application.
Enquiries
For enquiries contact:
- Mr GV Kegakilwe – 082 600 9378
Or
- TN Dire – 082 894 4197
Best Before: 07 August 2026
Why You Should Apply
The UIF Graduate Internship Programme offers unemployed graduates the opportunity to gain valuable public sector experience while working in specialised fields such as auditing, governance, finance, risk management and strategic planning.
The programme provides structured mentoring, practical workplace exposure and professional development that can significantly improve future employment opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can apply?
- Unemployed South African graduates with relevant NQF Level 6 qualifications who have never participated in an internship programme.
Where are the internships based?
- Pretoria, Gauteng.
What stipend will interns receive?
- Successful interns will receive R8,174.75 per month.
Is work experience required?
- No. Previous work experience is not required.
Can someone who previously completed a private-sector internship apply?
- No. Applicants must never have participated in any internship programme in either the public or private sector.
How should applications be submitted?
- Applications must be emailed to the relevant UIF internship email address quoting the correct reference number.
Does the internship guarantee permanent employment?
- No. The programme provides workplace experience but does not guarantee permanent employment.
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Disclaimer: Information was accurate at the time of publication. Applicants should always verify the latest details in the official Department of Employment and Labour vacancy circular before submitting an application.
