The National Department of Health (NDoH) is officially inviting applications for its comprehensive 24-month Graduate Internship Programme. This initiative focuses on developing young, unemployed South African public servants by pairing them with senior administrators to build foundational skills in public healthcare administration and corporate governance.
Position Details
- Employer: National Department of Health (NDoH)
- Duration: 24 Months
- Location: Pretoria (National Head Office)
- Closing Date: 01 June 2026
🎓 Target Disciplines & Qualifications
Applicants must hold a completed National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree (NQF Level 6 or 7) in one of the following fields:
- Human Resources (HR) & Organisational Development
- Finance & Accounting
- Information & Communications Technology (ICT)
- Legal Services / LLB
- Supply Chain Management (SCM) & Logistics
- Communications & Public Relations
- Internal Audit & Risk Management
- Employment Relations / Labour Relations
- Strategic Planning & Policy
Minimum Requirements
- Must be an unemployed South African citizen graduation-ready or holding a degree.
- Aged between 18 and 35 years.
- Must not have participated in a previous graduate internship programme within the public sector.
- Willingness to undergo pre-employment screening (qualification verification, reference checks, and security vetting).
⚙️ What to Expect in Public Sector Internships
Working at a national department level exposes you to large-scale state mechanics:
- Public Frameworks: You will learn to navigate state-specific guidelines like the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), the Public Service Act, and treasury regulations.
- National Impact: Unlike regional offices, the national head office deals directly with macro policy development, national budget distributions, and country-wide strategic goals.
💡 Potential Interview Questions
Public Sector Awareness
- “Why do you want to start your professional career within the public sector, specifically inside the Department of Health?”
- Why they ask: They want to gauge your commitment to public service and ethical governance over private-sector motivations.
- “What is your understanding of the ‘Batho Pele’ principles, and how would you apply them to your daily role in your specific department?”
- Why they ask: “People First” (Batho Pele) is the operational blueprint for all South African government employees.
Role Architecture
- “For Supply Chain/Finance: Why is competitive bidding and strict asset management crucial within a government framework like the PFMA?”
- Why they ask: Preventing irregular expenditure is a top compliance priority for state organs.
- “For ICT/HR/Legal: How do you handle maintaining the confidentiality of highly sensitive health policies or personnel records?”
- Why they ask: Discretion and data integrity are non-negotiable foundations when dealing with national records.
📩 How to Apply
Applications for national department roles strictly follow the official public service routing:
- Z83 Form: Download and complete the new Z83 Application for Employment Form (ensure it is signed, dated, and the correct reference number for your chosen discipline is stated).
- Documentation: Prepare an updated CV, certified copies of your ID, your NQF Level 6/7 qualification, and your academic transcripts.
- Submission: Follow the specified delivery protocol detailed on the official Department of Health vacancies site (either via direct post, email, or handheld transit to the Civitas Building in Pretoria).
Available Internship Streams
The following internship positions are available, each with its own reference number:
Human Resources Management and Development (Ref: NDOH 30/2026) — Open to graduates with a Diploma or Degree in Human Resources Management or Human Resources Development.
Organisational Development (Ref: NDOH 31/2026) — Suitable for graduates with qualifications in Management Services, Operations Management, or Production Management.
Employment Relations (Ref: NDOH 32/2026) — For graduates holding a qualification in Labour Relations.
Financial Management and Accounting (Ref: NDOH 33/2026) — Open to graduates with qualifications in Financial Management or Accounting.
Supply Chain Management (Ref: NDOH 34/2026) — Suitable for graduates with qualifications in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Public Management, Purchasing, or Transport Management.
Internal Audit (Ref: NDOH 35/2026) — For graduates with qualifications in Internal Auditing or Risk Management.
Information Communication and Technology (Ref: NDOH 36/2026) — Open to graduates with qualifications in Computer Science or Information Technology.
Communication (Ref: NDOH 37/2026) — For graduates with qualifications in Journalism, Marketing and Communication, or Communication.
Legal Services (Ref: NDOH 38/2026) — Open to graduates with a qualification in Law.
Office of the Director-General (Ref: NDOH 39/2026) — Suitable for graduates with qualifications in Management, Business Management, Business Administration, Public Management, Administration, Office Management, or a related administration qualification.
Strategic Planning (Ref: NDOH 40/2026) — For graduates with qualifications in Public Management, Public Administration, Business Management, Business Administration, or Strategic Management.
Office of the Chief Financial Officer (Ref: NDOH 41/2026) — Open to graduates with qualifications in Management, Business Management, Business Administration, Public Management, Public Administration, Office Management, Office Administration, or a related administration qualification.
How to Apply
Applications may be submitted in one of three ways:
Post to: The Director-General, National Department of Health, Private Bag X399, Pretoria, 0001
Hand deliver to: Reception (Brown Application Box), Dr AB Xuma Building, 1112 Voortrekker Rd, Pretoria Townlands 351-JR
Email to: vacancies@Health.gov.za (quote the reference number in the subject line)
Closing Date: 01 June 2026