The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) invites qualifying students to apply for student internship opportunities within the Social Development Department. The opportunities are available to students who live within the Johannesburg community and are looking for practical workplace experience related to their studies.
The internship programme is designed to provide students with valuable work-based training and exposure to a professional working environment. Successful candidates will gain practical experience while supporting programmes and projects carried out by the City of Johannesburg.
The opportunities form part of Student Internship Circular 022/2026, published on Thursday, 06 August 2026. The closing date for applications is Thursday, 20 August 2026.
Available Positions
- Internship: Food Value Chain
- Department: Social Development
- Branch: Food Resilience Unit
- Location: Traduna Building
- Internship: Women and Elderly
- Department: Social Development
- Branch: Targeted Beneficiaries Unit
- Location: Traduna Building
The internships will be offered for a period not exceeding 18 months.
City of Johannesburg Student Internship 2026
Department: Social Development
Circular: 022/2026
Closing Date: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Duration: Not exceeding 18 months
Salary: R10,109.86 per month
Benefits: No benefits
Location: Traduna Building
Area: Johannesburg
Eligibility: Only qualifying City of Johannesburg residents will be considered
The programme is aimed at students who need workplace exposure as part of their academic requirements or who need practical experience after completing a qualification.
The City of Johannesburg states that the internship opportunity is intended for youth in Johannesburg communities who meet the relevant requirements and have not previously participated in an internship programme. An exception may apply where a previous internship was not relevant to the candidate’s field of study.
Internship: Food Value Chain
Position: Student Internship
Department: Social Development
Branch: Food Resilience Unit
Designation: Internship: Food Value Chain
Location: Traduna Building
The Social Development Department, through the Food Resilience Unit, is offering an internship opportunity in the area of Food Value Chain.
The position is suitable for candidates who have completed a qualification with a minimum of 360 credits and have an educational background related to agriculture or development studies.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Grade 12/NQF Level 4.
- A Degree or Diploma in Agriculture Studies, Development Studies or an equivalent qualification.
- The qualification must meet the required credit level.
- Only residents of the City of Johannesburg will be considered.
Primary Function
The internship focuses on food value chains, including agricultural value-adding, food processing, quality and food safety.
The successful intern will assist with activities designed to help farmers move beyond primary agricultural production towards processed and value-added agricultural products.
The position may also provide exposure to training programmes, South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) standards and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification compliance.
Key Performance Areas
The intern may be required to assist with:
- Implementing activities that increase smallholder agricultural production.
- Supporting market linkages for emerging and smallholder farmers.
- Identifying food and agricultural value-chain opportunities within Johannesburg.
- Establishing opportunities within agricultural value chains.
- Executing food value-chain implementation plans.
- Supporting farmers with access to markets.
- Coordinating and collaborating with local partners.
- Planning and supporting agricultural market days in different regions.
- Managing relationships with farmers and agro-processors.
- Performing administrative duties related to programmes and projects.
Leading Competencies
Candidates should have knowledge or ability in areas such as:
- Marketing.
- Conflict management.
- Stakeholder mobilisation.
- Research.
- Project management.
- Monitoring and evaluation.
Core Competencies
The position requires knowledge of:
- Food security.
- Agricultural production.
- Project management.
- Agricultural systems supporting emerging farmers.
- Agricultural markets.
- Market research.
This internship can provide useful practical exposure for graduates or students interested in agriculture, food security, agricultural development, food processing and community development.
Internship: Women and Elderly
Position: Student Internship
Department: Social Development
Branch: Targeted Beneficiaries Unit
Designation: Internship: Women and Elderly
Location: Traduna Building
Another opportunity is available within the Targeted Beneficiaries Unit of the Social Development Department.
The designation is Internship: Women and Elderly and is based at the Traduna Building.
The position focuses on supporting programmes and projects designed for women and elderly residents. The intern will assist with programme implementation, coordination and administrative support while gaining experience in a local government environment.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must have:
- Grade 12/NQF Level 4.
- A BA Social Sciences Degree, BA Developmental Studies Degree or BA Degree in Gender Studies.
- The qualification must be at NQF Level 7.
- Only residents of the City of Johannesburg will be considered.
The qualification should have been completed with the required minimum credit value of 360 credits.
Primary Function
The primary function is to assist with the implementation and facilitation of Women and Elderly programmes to support efficient and quality service delivery.
The successful candidate may work with officials, community stakeholders and other organisations involved in programmes supporting women and elderly people.
Key Performance Areas
Responsibilities may include:
- Planning and managing the implementation of Women and Elderly programmes.
- Supporting projects designed for targeted beneficiaries.
- Providing general support to managers within the unit.
- Assisting with activities that improve the productivity of the unit.
- Liaising with internal and external stakeholders.
- Networking and coordinating with relevant stakeholders.
- Supporting integrated service delivery.
- Following applicable City of Johannesburg policies and procedures.
- Assisting with budget planning.
- Supporting the implementation of programmes and projects.
- Working within the Social Development business plan.
- Following City of Johannesburg financial policies and procedures.
- Working in accordance with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
Leading Competencies
Candidates should have:
- Computer literacy, particularly Microsoft Office skills.
- Good communication skills.
- Presentation skills.
- Project management skills.
- A good leadership background.
Core Competencies
Applicants should have an understanding of:
- Management and implementation of Women and Elderly programmes.
- Programme and project implementation.
- Local government.
- Government policies and procedures.
This opportunity may be suitable for candidates interested in social development, community development, gender studies, public administration, developmental studies and local government programmes.
Who Can Apply?
The City of Johannesburg internship programme is aimed at qualifying students and graduates from the Johannesburg community who meet the requirements of the advertised internship positions.
Applicants should carefully check the qualification requirements before submitting an application. Residency is an important requirement because the advertisements specifically state that only City of Johannesburg residents will be considered.
Candidates should also check whether they have previously participated in an internship programme. The programme is generally intended for qualifying youth who have not previously participated in an internship, except where the previous internship was unrelated to the candidate’s course of study.
Having the correct qualification does not automatically guarantee selection. Applications will be assessed according to the requirements and selection process of the City of Johannesburg.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online.
Applicants should complete the online application form and upload all relevant supporting documents. These may include:
- Certified qualification certificates or relevant academic documents.
- Identity document.
- Updated CV.
- Other documents requested during the online application process.
Applicants are advised to use Google Chrome when completing the City of Johannesburg online application process.
Applications sent by email will not be accepted. The enquiry email address provided in the advertisement is strictly for enquiries and should not be used to submit CVs, qualifications or applications.
Food Value Chain Application
- Applicants interested in the Food Value Chain internship can use the designated online application form: Apply online for Food Value Chain Internship
Women and Elderly Application
- Applicants interested in the Women and Elderly internship can use the designated online application form: Apply online for Women and Elderly Internship
Applicants can also visit the official City of Johannesburg website for vacancy information and other employment opportunities.
Enquiries
For enquiries relating to these internship opportunities, applicants can contact:
Contact Person: Mathapelo Nare
Email: [email protected]
The email address is for enquiries only. Applications, CVs, qualifications and other supporting documents sent by email will not be accepted or considered.
Important Application Information
Applicants should make sure that all information provided on the application form is accurate and complete. Supporting documents should be prepared before beginning the online application process to avoid delays.
The City of Johannesburg reserves the right not to make an appointment.
The City of Johannesburg is an equal opportunity employer.
Applicants should also be aware that submitting an application gives consent for the personal information provided to be used for recruitment and selection purposes.
According to the information contained in the advertisement, shortlisted candidates may be subject to relevant verification and risk checks. These may include identity validation, employment record verification, CV validation, criminal checks and credit record checks, where applicable.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
If no notification of appointment or response is received within six weeks after the closing date, applicants should accept that the application was unsuccessful.
Closing Date
The closing date for the City of Johannesburg Social Development student internship opportunities is: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Applicants are encouraged to submit applications before the deadline. Waiting until the final day may create problems if there are internet, document-upload or application-form issues.
Candidates should carefully review the qualification requirements for the specific internship before applying. An application should contain the required documents and accurate personal and academic information.