Wits Health Consortium Internship Programme 2026 / 2027

Wits Health Consortium (WHC) is officially inviting applications for its Internship Programme 2026 / 2027 based in Johannesburg, Gauteng.

This 12-month internship is located within the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI). The successful candidate will provide essential administrative, operational, financial, and participant management support to the Shandukani Research Project.

Job Overview & Specifications

About the Wits RHI Shandukani Internship

The main objective of this role is to coordinate and support administrative, logistical, and operational workflows for the flagship Shandukani Research Project.

As an intern, you will gain hands-on professional exposure in health research administration, medical participant intake management, financial reconciliation, procurement tracking, and general facility operations within a world-renowned health research institution.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

The successful intern will fulfill a wide spectrum of operational and administrative functions across the site:

1. Participant Support & Reception Duties

• Participant Reception: Welcome research participants, identify their specific needs, and direct them to appropriate research project teams.
• Verification & Documentation: Check participant co-enrolment status, capture accurate participant information, verify identification documents, copy/certify/file IDs, and keep participant locator details updated.
• Reimbursements: Process research participant travel/participation reimbursements accurately.

2. Financial & Procurement Administration

• Financial Reconciliations: Reconcile daily and monthly participant reimbursements against Milestone Visits in coordination with Wits Health Consortium finance teams.
• Procurement: Maintain complete records of procurement orders, request price quotations from approved suppliers, and cost/purchase participant refreshments.

3. Site Operations, IT & Facilities Coordination

• Access Control: Monitor and manage the Shandukani site access control system.
• Maintenance & IT Calls: Log IT support tickets and facility maintenance calls relating to air conditioning, ventilation systems, and physical assets.
• Housekeeping & Supplies: Oversee site housekeeping activities and distribute stationery and operational supplies to staff members.

4. General Secretarial & Research Administration

• Meetings & Events: Coordinate project meetings, team training sessions, and events; take minute notes during meetings; and assist with presentation preparation.
• Reporting: Prepare operational reports, disseminate information across team members, and adhere strictly to institutional policies.

Applicant Requirements & Qualifications

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ MANDATORY APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY                          │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Relevant Diploma or Degree (Health Sciences, Research  │
│   Administration, Public Health, or Business Admin)      │
│ • South African Citizen or Valid Work Permit             │
│ • Computer Literacy (MS Office Suite: Word, Excel, PPT)  │
│ • Excellent Verbal and Written English Communication     │
│ • Strong Interpersonal & Financial Reconciliation Skills │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Required Documents Checklist

Candidates must submit the following documents via email:

1. Cover Letter: Strict limit of one (1) page, clearly stating the post name and reference number (UM 40-2026: Intern).
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV): Comprehensive, updated CV highlighting your academic qualification and organizational skills.

Estimated Internship Stipend

Stipends for graduate research interns at Wits Health Consortium adhere to institutional fixed-term grant structures:

• Estimated Monthly Stipend: R7,000 – R10,000 per month (depending on the completed NQF level of qualification and Wits Health Consortium grant scales).

How to Apply via Email

Applications must be submitted electronically to the Wits RHI recruitment office.

Application Email Details:

• Application Email: vacancy5@wrhi.ac.za
• Mandatory Email Subject Line: UM 40-2026: Intern

Application Guidelines: Ensure both your 1-page cover letter and updated CV are attached as PDF files in a single email before sending. Ensure the reference number UM 40-2026 is correctly stated in both the email subject and cover letter body.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the closing date for the Wits Health Consortium Internship?

The closing date for applications is 10 November 2026. Late applications will not be evaluated.

2. Where is the internship located?

The post is based at the Wits RHI Shandukani Research facility in Johannesburg, Gauteng.

3. What reference number must I use when applying?

You must use the official reference number UM 40-2026 in your email subject line and cover letter.

4. What is the email address for application submission?

Applications must be sent directly to vacancy5@wrhi.ac.za.

5. How long is the cover letter allowed to be?

The cover letter must strictly be no more than one page in length.