Vacant Position – People & Culture Intern

SARAO; Carnarvon; On-site; ZAR 78,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

SARAO, located in Carnarvon, Northern Cape, is offering a short-term People and Culture internship to support HR administration and learning day-to-day activities including recruitment, onboarding and records management.

The role requires a National Diploma in HR or related qualification, excellent MS Office skills, and a professional, confidential approach. You will gain hands-on experience in a national research facility’s HR team and contribute to policy compliance.

Qualifications

• National Diploma: Human Resource Management or related qualification.
• Proficient with MS Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel).

Responsibilities

• Assisting with recruitment administration, including scheduling interviews and candidate communication.
• Support with pre-employment and onboarding processes.
• Creating and maintaining HR files and records.
• Providing general administrative support to the People and Culture department.
• Assisting with HR events and initiatives as required.
• Ensure compliance with policies and confidentiality.

Skills

Strong communication

Teamwork

Education

National Diploma: Human Resource Management

Tools

MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)

Job description

Contract type: Short Term Contract
Job Level: Unskilled
Work Location: Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Closing Date: 09 November 2026

The National Research Foundation (NRF) supports and promotes research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities and science outreach platforms and programmes to the broader community in all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) spearheads South Africa’s activities in the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope, commonly known as the SKA, in engineering, science and construction. SARAO is a National Facility managed by the National Research Foundation and incorporates radio astronomy instruments and programmes such as the MeerKAT telescope in the Karoo, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) in Gauteng, the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry (AVN) programme in nine African countries as well as the associated human capital development and commercialisation endeavours.

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory seeks to make an appointment for the position of a People and Culture: Internship The main purpose of this internship role is to perform an administrative support and learning the day-to-day HR activities including recruitment, training, performance management and records management.

Key Responsibilities

• Assisting with recruitment administration, including scheduling interviews and communicating with candidates.
• Support with pre-employment and onboarding processes.
• Creating and maintaining hard and electronic HR employee files.
• Assisting with HR filling, documents management, and records retention.
• Provide general administrative support to the People and Culture department.
• Assisting with HR events including employee wellness and etc.
• Assisting with special HR projects and initiatives as required.
• Ensure adherence to organizational policies, procedures, and confidentiality requirement

Key Requirements

Qualification: National Diploma: Human Resource Management or related qualification

Experience

• MS Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel)

Knowledge

Sound knowledge of BCEA, LRA, EEA and related legislation that governs elements of the HR field

Additional Notes

• Professional and confidential approach to dealing with sensitive information (high degree of confidentiality)
• Strong organizing skills and ability to prioritise
• Ability to meet deadlines and work on multiple tasks
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently
• Ability to use initiative and be pro-active
• Attention to detail
• Positive attitude, willingness to learn
• Perseverance and resilience

Information

The website www.nrf.ac.za provides more details on the NRF initiatives and activities.

Closing Date

09 November 2026

The NRF offers a challenging career and competitive remuneration package which is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The NRF is committed to employment equity and redress and the appointment to the position will be made in line with the NRF Employment Equity Plan.

The NRF reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Correspondence will be sent to short-listed candidates only