Economics jobs in South Africa

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is inviting productive and talented postgraduates to join its one-year Graduate Development Programme in February 2026.

The SARB serves the economic well-being of South Africans through maintaining price and financial stability. It is responsible for the regulation of the South African financial sector, the design and distribution of banknotes and coin, the management of interest rates, setting the cash reserve requirement for banks, and ensuring the stability of both the banking sector and the wider financial system.

Exposure to departments in the SARB

Graduates will work and learn at the SARB Head Office from February 2026 to January 2027. They will be assigned to a department and exposed to various tasks and projects.

During the Programme, graduates will attend various learning interventions at the SARB Academy. Interventions are mainly specific to central banking and are aimed at producing well-rounded central bankers. As part of the holistic programme, graduates will also gain personal and professional skills such as assertive communication, public speaking and presentations, creating powerful PowerPoint presentations, impactful reporting, teamwork and personal excellence and etiquette.

At the end of the year, some graduates will be permanently appointed into a department of the SARB. Those most likely to be appointed are graduates who:

• are interested in continuing their career at the SARB;
• have a desire to contribute to monetary policy, financial stability, currency management, supervising financial institutions, financial markets, or any one of the SARB’s enabling functions;
• have demonstrated behaviours aligned to the SARB’s values of accountability, excellence, integrity, respect and trust and open communication;
• can function independently and contribute actively and effectively in a team; and
• have performed exceptionally well in their assigned departments and academically.

Applications are open to candidates who have a postgraduate qualification in one of the following fields:

1. Economics
2. Econometrics
3. Statistics
4. Research
5. Policy Analysis
6. Public Finance
7. Accounting
8. Auditing
9. Law
10. Financial Mathematics
11. Financial Engineering
12. Information Technology
13. Digital Technology
14. Portfolio or Investment Management
15. Mathematics
16. Quantitative Analysis
17. Business Analysis
18. Risk Management (operational and financial risk)
19. Actuarial Science
20. Fintech

• have completed an honours degree (NQF 8);
• a South African citizen;
• have attained an average of over 65% in your final year;
• have a strong desire to work in financial services and/or policymaking;
• have a proven track record of academic excellence;
• have excellent communication and interpersonal skills; and
• are a curious and keen learner.