GIZ is inviting qualified South African graduates to apply for two Internship positions under the H2.SA II/BVC Programme. This is an excellent opportunity for graduates who want to build practical experience in the growing green hydrogen, renewable energy, and critical raw materials sectors.
The internship offers valuable exposure to international development projects while contributing to South Africa’s transition towards a greener economy. Successful candidates will work alongside experienced professionals and receive mentorship throughout the six-month internship period
Job Title: Intern – Promoting Value Chains for Critical Raw Materials and Green Hydrogen and Derivatives in South Africa
Number of Posts: 2
Project: H2.SA II/BVC Programme
Location: Hatfield, Pretoria, Gauteng
Reports To: Component Lead
Contract Duration: Six (6) Months (Full-Time)
Closing Date: 20 July 2026
About the Project
South Africa has become one of the countries with the greatest potential to lead the global green hydrogen economy. The country’s abundant renewable energy resources, advanced industrial infrastructure, skilled workforce, and large reserves of critical minerals create an ideal environment for developing sustainable energy solutions.
Critical raw materials such as platinum, vanadium, chromium, manganese, and nickel are essential for modern technologies including batteries, electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and industrial manufacturing. These resources place South Africa in a strong position to support the global transition to clean energy while creating new economic opportunities.
The development of green hydrogen and battery value chains is expected to:
- Create new employment opportunities.
- Support industrial development.
- Increase exports.
- Strengthen South Africa’s manufacturing sector.
- Improve energy security.
- Support environmental sustainability.
- Promote long-term economic growth.
These sectors have been identified as national priorities under South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP), which aims to support economic growth while reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development.
Despite these opportunities, several challenges remain. These include limited technical skills, institutional capacity constraints, market uncertainty, policy coordination, and the need for stronger environmental, social, and governance standards throughout the value chain.
To address these challenges, GIZ is implementing the H2.SA II/BVC Programme on behalf of the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), working closely with the South African Government.
Internship Overview
The internship has been designed to provide graduates with practical workplace experience across different components of the H2.SA II/BVC Programme.
Interns will gain exposure to project coordination, research, stakeholder engagement, policy development, communication activities, monitoring and evaluation, and knowledge management.
The internship also provides an opportunity to understand how international development programmes contribute to South Africa’s energy transition while supporting sustainable industrial growth.
Each intern will work under the supervision of Programme Component Managers and Programme Directors while receiving guidance from an experienced mentor within the Green Hydrogen or Power-to-X (PtX) Hub programmes.
Key Responsibilities
Successful candidates will assist the project team with a wide range of activities, including:
- Support the coordination and implementation of activities related to critical raw materials, battery value chains, green hydrogen, and hydrogen derivatives.
- Conduct desktop research on industry developments and emerging technologies.
- Collect and analyse information relevant to green hydrogen and battery value chains.
- Prepare summaries, reports, and research findings.
- Assist with stakeholder coordination involving government departments, private sector organisations, industry representatives, and technical experts.
- Support the development of policies, strategies, and regulatory frameworks.
- Assist in organising meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences, training programmes, study tours, and stakeholder engagements.
- Prepare communication materials and support knowledge management activities.
- Maintain project documentation, meeting records, correspondence, and event files.
- Assist with operational planning and project coordination.
- Draft concept notes and Terms of Reference (ToRs).
- Support project reporting requirements.
- Contribute to Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) activities by capturing project information and preparing reporting inputs.
- Stay informed about developments within the renewable energy, hydrogen, and critical raw materials sectors.
- Perform additional project-related duties assigned by supervisors.
Learning Opportunities
This internship offers practical experience in several high-demand fields.
Interns will gain knowledge of:
- Green hydrogen technologies.
- Power-to-X (PtX) systems.
- Critical raw materials.
- Renewable energy policy.
- Sustainable industrial development.
- International development cooperation.
- Project management.
- Monitoring and Evaluation.
- Stakeholder engagement.
- Government policy development.
- Research and analysis.
- Event coordination.
- Communication and knowledge management.
Graduates interested in renewable energy, sustainability, engineering, environmental management, and public policy will benefit significantly from this opportunity.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must possess:
- An undergraduate degree in Energy.
- Engineering qualification.
- Environmental Economics qualification.
- Political Sciences qualification.
- Related qualification relevant to the programme.
Required Knowledge and Competencies
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Knowledge of South Africa’s energy or renewable energy sector.
- Understanding of maritime sector policies.
- Interest in green hydrogen and critical raw materials.
- Interest in the energy transition.
- Willingness to learn new technical skills.
- Ability to work effectively within multicultural teams.
- Good organisational skills.
- Strong analytical thinking.
- Excellent written communication skills.
- Good verbal communication skills in English.
- Basic understanding of electrolysis and hydrogen production.
- Good computer literacy.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- Willingness to travel within South Africa when required.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens or possess a valid South African work permit.
- Be available for a full-time six-month internship.
- Be willing to work from the GIZ offices in Hatfield, Pretoria.
- Meet all qualification requirements before the closing date.
Working Environment
The internship provides an opportunity to work within an international organisation committed to sustainable development and capacity building.
Participants will work alongside professionals from different disciplines while gaining practical workplace experience within an international development environment.
The programme promotes equal opportunity and values diversity in the workplace. Applications from persons with disabilities are encouraged.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- A motivation or cover letter (maximum one page).
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae (maximum three pages).
- A copy of a South African Identity Document or valid work permit.
Applications submitted without a motivation letter will not be considered.
Important Application Information
Applicants should quote the following in the subject line of the application:
Application for Internship – H2.SA II/BVC
Applications for this vacancy can be submitted in the URL below
https://giz.simplify.hr/vacancy/dzgefd
Only shortlisted applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be contacted for further stages of the recruitment process.
Why Apply?
Graduates entering today’s competitive job market need practical experience that strengthens their professional skills while exposing them to real projects.
This internship provides an opportunity to contribute to one of South Africa’s most important emerging industries while developing valuable workplace experience.
Successful interns will gain experience in renewable energy policy, project implementation, stakeholder engagement, research, and sustainable development initiatives. These skills are increasingly valuable across government institutions, consulting firms, research organisations, development agencies, and the private sector.
The programme also offers networking opportunities with professionals working in renewable energy, mining, industrial development, and environmental sustainability.
Graduates interested in building careers within clean energy, international development, engineering, environmental management, policy development, or project management are encouraged to apply before the closing date.
Application Deadline
Closing Date: 20 July 2026