Innovation Africa Internship Opportunities at the University of Pretoria

Finance December 2, 2023

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The internship programme is offered for a period of 24 months. Successful applicants will be required to sign a contract for the duration of the internship.

Innovation Africa Internship Opportunities at the University of Pretoria

Innovation Africa @ University of Pretoria is offering an opportunity to appoint interns as part of the mandate to increase capacity available to the SPS regulatory authorities of the country in the following completed fields of studies. The internship programme provides unemployed graduates and postgraduates (excluding Post-doctoral candidates) an opportunity to acquire practical work experience through mentoring and exposure in an environment, relevant to their qualification in one of the following fields:

PhD, MSc or BSc Honours (Agronomy, Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Entomology and Soil Science) 4x post

DURATION

The internship programme is offered for a period of 24 months. Successful applicants will be required to sign a contract for the duration of the internship.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidates will actively participate in the following:

Training modules provided by relevant experts on:

The multilateral trade system for forestry and agriculture;

Interpretation and application of relevant international standards for sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) measures;

Policy and operational aspects of SPS regulatory services e.g. pest risk analysis, surveillance, pest reporting etc.;
Development and management of Early Warning Systems for emerging pests and diseases of quarantine concern to South Africa;
Traceability;

SPS communication and awareness.

Projects to gain experience in:

Preparation of technical reports or opinions requested in the format prescribed by the relevant SPS authorities;
Conduct pest and disease risk analysis (pest and disease listing, categorization, risk assessment and risk management);

National surveillance systems and activities of pest monitoring and detection;
Evaluation and best practices in phytosanitary risk management applied to the specific SA sectors for export market access and maintenance;
Development of technical dossiers in response to requests for technical information/ research from SPS authorities or relevant to the National Biosecurity Hub projects;

Stakeholder engagement and awareness;
Attend workshops, meetings and ad-hoc tasks where necessary.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

To be eligible, internship applicants MUST meet the following minimum requirements:

Be a South African citizen or South African Permanent Resident (with a valid South African Identity Document).

Should be currently unemployed

Should have completed their study at the time of submitting the application and hold a qualification in any of the following:

PhD (Agronomy, Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Entomology and Soil Science);
- OR
MSc (Agronomy, Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Entomology and Soil Science);
- OR
BSc Honours (Agronomy, Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Entomology and Soil Science).

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

Appropriate language and communication skills;

Good interpersonal skills;
Computer skills in MS Office package and email;
Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team;

Efficient planning, organising and prioritising skills;
Ability to work under pressure;
Ethical insight and reliability;

Professionalism;
Flexibility and adaptability.

RENUMERATION: Monthly stipend

CENTRE: Pretoria

In applying for this post, please attach:

Cover letter indicating the internship you are applying for in terms of your qualification;

A comprehensive CV;
Certified copies of qualifications;
Names, e-mail addresses and telephone details of three referees whom we have permission to contact.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE: Innovation Africa Internship Opportunities at the University of Pretoria