The Groen Sebenza Phase II Programme aims to recruit 1050 unemployed South African graduates (from Diploma to PhD level) and place them nationally in different organisations (government and non-governmental).
DEADLINE: Unspecified
Environmental/Biodiversity organisations are hiring 1050 graduates
N.B. Candidates are encouraged to visit the websites of the listed organisations. Please exercise a bit of patience, as some hosts are still in the process of preparing their adverts. In case of any challenges, kindly contact the Groen Sebenza Project Management Office (Tel.: 012 843 5101).
The Groen Sebenza Phase II Programme is a bridging into work programme funded to the value of R300 million for the next three years. GS Phase II aims to recruit 1050 unemployed graduates (from Diploma to PhD level) and place them nationally in different organisations (government and non-governmental) where they will be incubated (trained and mentored) to further develop their competence and confidence in the management of environment/biodiversity.
The programme goals are:
- Enable workplace-based learning for graduates aimed at building and strengthening their capacity at various levels.
- Creation of job opportunities and possible permanent placement beyond funding
- Transformation and organisational strengthening – strengthen different organisational development aspects including transformation in its totality, mentoring, proactive skills and planning to better respond to organisational mandates and other national priorities.
- Research informed – through research, develop a ‘live’ skills intelligence system that will enable the sector to proactively plan for skills development and track and trace the utilisation of the developed skills.
What does this internship opportunity entail?
The programme aims to give 1 050 unemployed and underemployed youth the opportunity to gain meaningful workplace experience in the biodiversity/environmental sector through a structured programme based on the “incubator model” which involves intensive mentoring, together with skills development and training opportunities for a period of two (2) years. The programme will target graduates. The appointed young professionals will be placed with over 80 host organisations for the duration of the project.
Who are the participating organisations and government departments and what numbers of ‘young professionals’ they will be hosting?
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is pleased to announce a call for applications for incubation in the following organisations:
| # | Province | Host Organisation | Link to Website | Fields | No of Interns Required |
| 1. | Eastern Cape | Albany Museum, Department of Freshwater Invertebrates | www.am.org.za | Freshwater biodiversity and conservation, water quality and systematics. | 1 |
| Buffelspruit Nature Reserve | https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=585828271431754 | Game management, Law enforcement, Environmental Education, Natural Resource. | 2 | ||
| Coega Development Corporation | www.coega.co.za | Safety, Health, Environmental & Quality, Sustainable development. | 3 | ||
| GEMM Leadership Academy | https://ko-kr.facebook.com/pages/GEMM-Leadership-Academy/101847005880162 | Conservation and environment(recycling, horticulture, landscaping) | 2 | ||
| Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency | visiteasterncape.co.za | Biodiversity & Conservation field (Head Office & Reserves), Scientific Services, Destination Tourism, People and Parks and Stakeholder Engagement, Legal. | 40 | ||
| Elundini Local Municipality | www.elundini.gov.za | Education & awareness, Clearing of alien Invasive species, Wetland protection, removal of waste & conservation of water sources. | 15 | ||
| Kouga Local Municipality | www.kouga.gov.za | Education & awareness, Biodiversity & protected areas | 2 | ||
| Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipality | www.winniemmlm.gov.za | Environmental Education, EIA, Coastal Management and Maintenance of nurseries. | 3 | ||
| 2. | Free State | Free State Province Department: Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs | www.destea.gov.za | Nature conservation and Environmental management | 20 |
| 3. | Gauteng | Agricultural Research Council – Plant Health and Protection | www.arc.agric.za/arc-ppri/Pages/ARC-PPRI-Homepage.aspx | Biodiversity Management | 5 |
| BirdLife South Africa | www.birdlife.org.za | Avifaunal conservation (Landscape Programme) and within the Empowering People and community conservation field | 3 | ||
| City of Ekurhuleni | www.ekurhuleni.gov.za | Climate Change, Water Resource Management, Project Management, Environmental Engineering, Waste operations, Landfill Management, Environmental GIS, Social Geography, Environmental Education, Horticulture, Environmental Law, Environmental Compliance and Impact Management | 20 | ||
| Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) | www.csir.co.za | GIS and RS Remote Sensing? of freshwater and estuarine realms | 1 | ||
| Delta Built Environment Consultant | deltabec.com | Environmental Science (Environmental Assessment Practitioner work) | 3 | ||
| Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment | www.dffe.gov.za | Ecologist | 30 | ||
| Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA) | eapasa.org/site | Environmental Science and Management. | 7 | ||
| Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development | provincialgovernment.co.za/units/view/28/gauteng/agriculture-and-rural-development | Nature conservation and Environmental management, Climate Change, Biodiversity Management, Environmental Education, Air Quality, Waste Management and Impact Management. | 25 | ||
| IUCN | www.iucn.org | Biodiversity and Conservation, Climate Change and Resilience. | 2 | ||
| Johannesburg City Parks & Zoo | www.jhbcityparksandzoo.com | Integrated Catchment Management Nature Conservation Environmental Management /Science. | 3 | ||
| Khuselindalo South Africa NPC T/A Conservation South Africa | https://www.facebook.com/ConservationSouthAfrica/Instagram page | Science communication, Biodiversity stewardship within communal rangelands, project development and design, Project management and evaluation. | 25 | ||
| Plantago Lanceolata Pty Ltd | sahris.sahra.org.za/organisations/plantago-lanceolata-pty-ltd | Wetland delineations, Ecological studies, EIA and Water Use License Applications. | 1 | ||
| Prime Africa | www.primeafrica.net | Environmental science. | 1 | ||
| SANParks | www.sanparks.org | Conservation Biodiversity, Eco tourism and Socio Economic Transformation. | 100 | ||
| Sibayeni Metrofarming | https://www.facebook.com/groups/569444793585072/ | Agriculture | 2 | ||
| South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) | www.sanbi.org | Scientific research & assessments, biosystematics, policy advise and planning, conservation, environmental education and empowerment, project management. | 121 | ||
| The Endangered Wildlife Trust | www.ewt.org.za | Conservation Strategy, Conservation Standards and Miradi Monitoring & Evaluation. | 1 | ||
| The GreenMatter Partnership NPC | www.greenmatterza.com | Environmental education, intern/fellow coordination, project leadership and management. | 3 | ||
| Tshegofentse facilities & engineering | www.tshegofentse.co.za | Environmental management, waste management, water & waste treatment engineering, sales & marketing, accounting. | 3 | ||
| Tshikovha Green and Climate Change Advocates Pty Ltdes Pty Ltd | www.climateadvocates.co.za | Environmental Impact Assessment, Waste Programmes, Mining Applications, Environmental Education and Awareness. | 8 | ||
| University of South Africa | www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default | Agricultural Economics, Botany and Zoology. | 3 | ||
| Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) | www.wrsa.co.za | Biodiversity Management, Monitoring and Planning. | 21 | ||
| 4. | KwaZulu-Natal | Duzi-uMngeni Conservation Trust | 033 345 7571 | GIS, any water related field of study, geographical studies, social sciences, environmental education, water quality, organisational development, environmental journalism, project management. | 5 |
| Eco-Pulse Consulting | www.eco-pulse.co.za | Wetland management | 1 | ||
| Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife | www.kznwildlife.com | Biodiversity Conservation | 20 | ||
| Humana People to People in South Africa (HPPSA) | www.hpp-sa.org | Environment | 8 | ||
| Institute of Natural Resources NPC | inr.org.za | Research, collecting ecological data.Interpret quantitative and qualitative data related to environmental parameters. | 2 | ||
| KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs | www.kznedtea.gov.za | Climate Change Management and Waste Management. | 2 | ||
| Mahlathini Development Foundation | www.mahlathini.org | Community based climate change adaptation, agriculture, rural development, hydrology and or soil science, engineering, agricultural economics, geography and environmental sciences. | 1 | ||
| uMgungundlovu District Municipality | umdm.gov.za | Management and implementation responsibility for climate change, waste or resource management to build a circular or green economy and environmental management of water, sanitation and disaster risk reduction. | 2 | ||
| University of Zululand | www.unizulu.ac.za | Geography or environmental education | 1 | ||
| WESSA ‘The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa’ | wessa.org.za | Environmental Education, Environmental Education resource development, Research, Environmental governance and advocacy. | 30 | ||
| WILDTRUST (Wildlands Conservation Trust) | wildtrust.co.za | Design Sustainability Leadership Journey events. Reserve maintenance and management support. Supervising field guides & camp staff. Restoration project planning. Field mapping. Vegetation and wildlife monitoring. Youth supervision. Patrols. Design and preparation of content of educational materials. Training of staff and youth employed to deliver workshops. Community engagement. Surveillance monitoring & tracking. GIS Mapping. Biodiversity surveys and monitoring. Support and train whale time guides. Conduct and facilitate survey and monitoring activities. Development of whale-based tourism products. | 19 | ||
| 5. | Limpopo | Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region Non-Profit Company | kruger2canyons.org | Catchment Management Team, Community Science Monitoring and Training of Environmental monitors. | 3 |
| Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism | www.ledet.gov.za | Provincial protected areas management, biodiversity management, environmental impact management, integrated pollution and waste management, environmental compliance and enforcement, and environmental empowerment services. | 30 | ||
| Mabula Ground Hornbill Project | ground-hornbill.org.za | Conservation rearing facility; animal husbandry, ex-situ settings, ex-situ research. Monitoring of the species at the primary re-introduction sites; field skills, monitoring, research, stakeholder engagement. Aid with the education programme. | 1 | ||
| Southern African Wildlife College | wildlifecollege.org.za | Project Coordinator support and facilitation at regional and cluster level. Training and facilitation of capacity development of Community Engagement Teams in Transfrontier Conservation Areas. | 2 | ||
| University of Venda | www.univen.ac.za | Assist in GIS analysis, participate in GIS Unit research and community engagement projects. Data collection and analyses in plant ecologic projects (savanna restoration, invasive alien plants impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services). Running laboratory trials on invasive alien plants seed ecology and allelopathy. Assist in the running of the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve projects. | 1 | ||
| Waterberg Biosphere Reserve NPC | en.unesco.org/biosphere/africa/waterberg | Environmental Education | 1 | ||
| 6. | Mpumalanga | Africa Green Earth Projects NPC | petco.co.za/members/africa-green-earth-projects-npc | Waste Recovery/Recycling and River stream clean-up. | 7 |
| City of Mbombela | www.mbombela.gov.za | Climate change, waste management, Nature conservation. | 2 | ||
| Green Prince Foundation NPC | www.developmentaid.org/organizations/view/430723/green-prince-foundation-npc | Zoology, Herpetology, Water Resources, and Environmental Education. | 5 | ||
| Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency | www.mpumalanga.com | Nature conservation | 10 | ||
| Sabi Sand Nature Reserve | www.sabisabi.com | Ecotourism & Conservation | 4 | ||
| 7. | Northern Cape | Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform (DAERL) | provincialgovernment.co.za/units/view/85/northern-cape/agriculture-environmental-affairs-rural-development-and-land-reform | Air Quality Management and Ecology | 4 |
| Indigo development and change | indigo-dc.org | Biodiversity conservation & Ecosystem based Adaptation, capacity development. | 1 | ||
| Namakwa District Municipality | www.namakwa-dm.gov.za | Environmental Management/Sciences | 2 | ||
| Pixley Ka Seme District Municipality | www.pksdm.gov.za | Research, site visit and report writing. | 2 | ||
| 8. | North West | North West Provincial Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism | 018 388 2456 | Botany, Environmental Education and Awareness. | 2 |
| University of Witwatersrand | www.wits.ac.za | Research | 5 | ||
| 9. | Western Cape | Botanical Society | botanicalsociety.org.za | Research, fieldwork. | 10 |
| CapeNature | www.capenature.co.za | Biodiversity Science: Taxon science (birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, plants, mammals), Systematic conservation planning. | 5 | ||
| Contour Training Academy t/a Contour Enviro Group | www.contourenviro.co.za | Catchment management. Education. Conservation Training. | 2 | ||
| George Municipality | www.george.gov.za | Biodiversity and Conservation, Environmental Management and Education. | 2 | ||
| Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve | www.gouritz.com | GIS, social and scientific research, climate change project management, stakeholder engagement. | 5 | ||
| Knysna Municipality | www.knysna.gov.za | Horticulture and Invasive Plant Management. | 1 | ||
| Happy by Nature | happybynature.com | Cultivation and propagation of indigenous medicine plants; managing indigenous retail nursery; creating indigenous gardens; training of healthcare professionals, adults and children. | 1 | ||
| ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability-Africa NPC | www.iclei.org.za | Environmental Science (Climate Change, Energy, Circularity, Biodiversity, etc), Project Management. | 1 | ||
| Koffeekraal Uitspan | 0217125010 | Research into the effect and consequence of Veld Fires. | 2 | ||
| Laingsburg Local Municipality | www.laingsburg.gov.za | Environmental Education, Project Management, Environmental Management and Planning, Greening and Beautifying. | 3 | ||
| Langeberg Municipality | www.langeberg.gov.za | Environmental management, Parks and Amenities. | 2 | ||
| Lourens Holdings (PTY) Ltd | https://sites.google.com/view/windsolarpower | Surveying of densities, contract management, training monitoring. | 2 | ||
| Nature’s Valley Trust | www.naturesvalleytrust.co.za | Horticulture. | 1 | ||
| NCC Environmental Services | ncc-group.co.za | Nature Conservation or Communication. | 4 | ||
| Nguni Nursery | www.nguninursery.co.za | Horticulture, Ecology, Crop Production, Human Resources. | 2 | ||
| Ohana Environmental Consultants & Projects | ohanaenviro.co.za | Environmental Impact Assessment Planning & Aquatic Assessments that include Risk Assessments. | 2 | ||
| SA Trails Network NPC | www.satrails.co.za | Conservation & transport | 5 | ||
| South African Education Project (SAEP) | www.saep.org.za | Environmental Education; Environmental Advocacy; Monitoring and Evaluation. | 7 | ||
| Stellenbosch University | www.sun.ac.za | GIS, Wetland Science | 1 | ||
| Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden | www.sun.ac.za | Botany, especially with conservation interest; Science Communication; Horticulture or Plant Biotechnology; Landscape Architecture; Horticulture. | 1 | ||
| Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning | www.westerncape.gov.za | Biodiversity and Coastal Management. | 4 |
How do I qualify for this placement opportunity?
The programme is aimed at unemployed young South African graduates.
Additional Requirements
- Must be a SA citizen.
- Young unemployed and underemployed professionals between the ages of 18 and 35.
- Innovative, dynamic and creative
- A commitment to career development in the environmental/biodiversity sector.
- Must hold a relevant qualification as per minimum requirement advertised.
- People with disabilities are also encouraged to apply
NB: Opportunities are available in all provinces including provincial environmental departments, entities, municipalities, NGOs, private sector and Universities as per the first table in this document.
Internship monthly stipend values (no other benefits apply as these are internship positions)
| Qualification | Stipend |
| Diploma | R6 082 |
| BSc | R7 359 |
| Honours | R8 697 |
| MSc | R10 035 |
| PhD | R12 035 |
Candidates holding higher qualifications than advertised, may apply, however, remuneration is capped as per minimum requirements advertised.
How to apply?
To apply please visit the participating host organisations’ websites on the links provided in the table above:
The following documentation should accompany your submission:
- One page letter of interest – this is not a reference letter (your letter of interest must indicate why you should be considered for the internship)
- Full CV/ resume
- Valid certified copies of highest qualification/academic record/transcript (certified copies should not be older than six months)
- ID (certified as a true copy and should not be older than six months)
Contact details:
Groen Sebenza Project Management Unit
Tel.: 012 843 5101
*Underemployed refers to youth employed in another sector than the one they studied for as per the above listed fields.
SANBI reserves the right not to fill these internships. If no response has been received within 40 days of the closing date, candidates may assume that their applications were unsuccessful.
Click here to visit the official site of the Groen Sebenza Phase II Programme OR you may use the following link: https://www.sanbi.org/job/groen-sebenza-phase-ii-programme/
Click here to visit the official site of the Groen Sebenza Phase II Programme OR you may use the following link: https://www.sanbi.org/job/groen-sebenza-phase-ii-programme/