UNISA Internship for Work Experience Seekers

About UNISA

UNISA is the largest open distance learning institution in Africa and the longest standing dedicated distance education university in the world. The institution enrolls nearly one-third of all South African students.

Founded in 1873 as the University of the Cape of Good Hope, the institution became the first public university in the world to teach exclusively by means of distance education in 1946. Throughout the years, UNISA was perhaps the only university in South Africa to have provided all people will access to education, irrespective of race, color or creed. This vibrant past is mirrored in the institution’s rich history, more particularly its massive and impressive database of alumni, some of whom are to be found in the most senior levels of society across the world.

Given the rootedness in South Africa and the African continent, UNISA today can truly claim to be the African university in the service of humanity.

One of UNISA’s main aims is to harness the new and emerging potential in information and communication technology to catapult the university into a truly digital future.

UNISA offers an unparalleled range of study choices, ranging from short courses and certificate programs to three- and four-year degrees and diplomas, close to 400,000 current students. As one of the leading research institutions on the continent, UNISA’s research efforts have won it numerous awards, recognitions and honors.

The three core business areas of UNISA are teaching, research and community engagement. Its world-class research is spearheaded by the Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialization portfolio and community engagement by UNISA’s Community Engagement and Outreach Policy. UNISA also place great importance on the celebration and promotion of its African arts and culture through various endeavors.

Working at UNISA

Most of UNISA’s recruitment processes are centralized at its Head Office in Pretoria. The recruitment process takes approximately 90 working days to complete. Applicants not contacted during this period need not be disheartened, as UNISA advertises its positions on an ongoing basis.

UNISA strives to make the process of applying for positions at UNISA less cumbersome to prospective applicants. To this end the process is constantly being reviewed to keep pace with best practice. Prospective employees will be able to apply for positions in two ways: online on I-Recruitment or manually (by post or hand delivered).

If you believe that you are ready for a stimulating environment and thrive in innovation, then UNISA may be the employer for you.

UNISA Internship

Whether you are beginning a new journey with UNISA or staying involved with your aims mater, UNISA commend you on choosing a world-class institution that has been building Africa’s future for more than 145 years.

UNISA provides internship programs for those seeking for work experience while also gaining more knowledge on their field. The purpose of the internship program at UNISA is to develop skills that enable the provision of career guidance and learning support to a wide variety of clients (including current and prospective students). The support is provided within the Framework for Student Support and the Model for Counselling and Academic Support in an ODL context. Multi model support is provided to individuals and groups (face to face, telephone and e-mail).

The UNISA internship program takes up to one year to complete. Throughout the internship, you will receive salary with a total of R 92,546 per annum.

Within the UNISA internship, you will be given the opportunity to learn skills as mentioned below:

• Basic career, counseling and learning skills guidance to registered and prospective students
• General administration and management skills development
• Professional development

UNISA Internship Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible to apply for the UNISA internship, you must meet all of the minimum requirements as mentioned below:

• Have completed Matric and a completed three-year degree in Psychology and/or Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• Completed Honors Degree or currently registered at UNISA for the Honors degree in Psychology or Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• Have at least one year of relevant experience in a Counseling and/or any student support context
• Have the knowledge of UNISA information (as evaluated with the Information Management Assessment)
• Have knowledge of career information (as evaluated with the Information Management and Assessment)
• Have the ability to work independently and under pressure
• Proficient in writing and speaking English and have good communication and interpersonal skills
• Possess problem solving skills with regard to learner support such as career, degree and subject choice, study methods, exam preparation and portfolio writing
• Be a computer literate (MS Office suite including Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, internet)
• People with disabilities are encouraged to apply for this opportunity.

How to Apply for the UNISA Internship

The completed prescribed application form must be accompanied by a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) and original certificate copies (within the previous three months) of the following documents:

• All educational qualifications
• Identity document
• Proof of SAQA verification of foreign qualifications (if applicable)

Furthermore, provide contact details of three contactable references when applying.

The prescribed application form can be obtained from http://www.unisa.ac.za under the “Vacancies” tab.

Please make sure that your application is completed correctly before you submit your application, and that you submit it on time. Late, incomplete and incorrect applications will not be considered.

Applications must be submitted in an envelope marked clearly with the name of the relevant Regional Center of Interest, the position applied for, and the reference number of the position. If you apply for more than one position, you must apply separately and each application must be in a separate envelope.

Applications on the prescribed forms are invited and should be submitted by post, addressed to UNISA Eastern Cape Regional Center of Interest (Ms SL Mbanjwa). The address is specified as below:

Port Elizabeth – Greyville House, Cnr Cape Road, Ring Road and Greyville Street, Green Acres, 6057

Hand delivered application forms can be deposited into the Application Boxes situated in the following office:

Port Elizabeth – UNISA Building Entrance (Security Desk)

All applications should reach UNISA on or before the closing date before 16:00.

Correspondence will be limited to short-listed and successful candidates only. If you have not been contacted within 2 months after the application closing date, please accept that your application was not successful.

For inquiries, contact:

Ms SL Mbanjwa (HR Coordinator: Eastern Cape) 043 709 0424

Dr J Ndlela (Student Counselor: Port Elizabeth) 041 392 0117

Visit the UNISA Vacancies web page to see available opportunities.