Want a job that puts you in the heart of South Africa’s finance world?
The National Empowerment Fund (NEF) is looking for recent graduates who are ready to jump into a Compliance Internship for 2026. This role is for students who want a career in development finance, and who care about rules, fairness, and keeping businesses safe from risk. The internship is based in Sandton, Gauteng, and the deadline to apply is 20 January 2026.
What the Internship Looks Like
If you get the internship, you will be part of the Compliance team inside a Development Finance Institution. You’ll learn how to support day‑to‑day office work, help prepare reports that meet regulatory standards, and coordinate meetings with both internal staff and outside partners. You’ll also research people and organizations that could become future partners.
The internship is designed to give you real‑world skills that will help you land a job in compliance, legal work, or corporate governance. You’ll work with experienced mentors who will guide you through every task.
Your Daily Tasks
- Keep the office running smoothly with general administrative duties.
- Gather data for reports that show the institution is following external rules.
- Set up and manage meetings for staff and partners.
- Write notes and minutes during meetings.
- Reach out to potential partners and set up meetings with them.
- Investigate potential partners and learn about different stakeholders.
What You Need
Education
You must have a Bachelor’s degree. Preferable fields are a law degree (LLB), compliance studies, or something similar.
Experience & Skills
- Basic office or admin experience is a plus.
- You can handle changes in the workplace.
- You can build good relationships with people.
- You know the difference between business risks and compliance risks.
- You can write clear reports.
- You’re comfortable using Microsoft Office at a high level.
- You solve problems quickly and calmly.
- You stay professional, even with tough clients.
Personal Traits
- You talk well and listen to others.
- You like helping customers and solving their problems.
- You work well with teammates.
- You check your work for mistakes and make sure it’s high quality.
- You manage your time effectively.
- You think creatively to solve problems.
Equity and Fairness
This is an Employment Equity position. NEF follows a plan that gives special consideration to candidates from groups that have historically had fewer opportunities.
How to Apply
- Go to NEF’s careers page.
- Click “Apply for the National Empowerment Fund Trainee (Compliance) Internship 2026” (the link will open in a new tab).
- Fill out the online form and upload all required documents.
Only online applications will be taken into account. The deadline is firm—late applications won’t be accepted. NEF will only contact shortlisted candidates. It is also possible that no interview will happen.
Why This Internship Is Worth It
- You’ll see how development finance deals with rules and regulations.
- You’ll practice working inside a highly regulated finance environment.
- You’ll build a solid base for future roles in compliance, legal services, risk management, or corporate governance.
- Your experience will make it easier to get a job in either public or private financial institutions.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a recent graduate looking for a start in the finance world, this internship could be the stepping stone you need. It gives you hands‑on experience, a chance to work with seasoned professionals, and a clear path to a career that matters in South Africa’s growing financial sector. Don’t wait—apply before 20 January 2026 and take the first step toward a future where you help make business practices fair and secure.