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Human Rights & NGO Support Internships in Cape Town

Human Rights & NGO Support Internships in Cape Town

Despite modern advances, human rights remain one of the most important issues for societies around the world. Professionals in this sector are faced with complex challenges, working to develop human potential, while advocating for freedom. Human Rights Support internships in Cape Town, South Africa, can place students and young professionals within a diverse range of NGOs, community-based enterprises, and nonprofits. Such organizations are often devoted to support, protection, and empowerment for minority groups, women, at-risk youth, asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants.

Internship Highlights:
  • Gain insight into human rights challenges being addressed within a South African context.
  • Learn about how human rights organizations can implement a people-centered agenda for sustainable development.
  • Understand how NGOs may work alongside civil society, CBOs, businesses, and governments.
Type of host organizations:
  • NGOs
  • SBOs
  • Non profit organizations
  • Charities
  • Refugee support centers
  • Youth centers and academic institutions
Fully hosted experience from $2184
Includes accommodation
Typical schedule: Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm
Minimum duration 4 weeks, up to 24 weeks maximum
Go on safari & discover wildlife
Get job-ready with our Experiential Learning Curriculum
Suitable for English language speakers
Eligibility requirements and Associated career paths
Eligibility requirement

Human Rights Support internships in Cape Town are suitable for students and recent graduates with at least one year of relevant college/university study in a related field, such as Bachelor of Laws, Political Science, International Development, Social Work, Economics, etc. A commitment to research and administrative related activities is required.

Language requirements

This internship is conducted in English.

Associated career paths

Domestic and International Advocacy, Human Rights Lawyer, Social Worker, Humanitarian Service Worker, Educator, Policy Developer, Public Health Worker, Fundraiser, Diplomat, Foreign Affairs Worker, Journalist, Campaign Manager, Public Sector Worker, Political Adviser, Program Educator, Volunteer Coordinator, Administrator

Internship details

Human Rights is a diverse career field, attracting experts from all study fields and walks of life. If you’re seeking experience related to a challenging yet rewarding career, start with a Human Rights internship to build your knowledge, understanding, and cultural intelligence. Human Rights internships in Cape Town are popular, as the host organizations foster fun, dynamic, and welcoming learning environments. Come prepared to assist with a variety of activities. Whether related to research, empowerment, education, events, or communications, you can develop a wealth of transferable skills.

This is an in-country internship which includes accommodation. Click here to explore remote Law & Human Rights internships, which you can do from home.

Gain valuable experience learning about human rights and social advocacy in Cape Town, South Africa, where discriminatory policies and laws implemented during the apartheid era have had a negative generational impact. Social issues such as xenophobia, racism, gender inequality, prejudice, and poverty are still highly prevalent. Challenges to human rights still remain in the areas of education, health, welfare, employment, immigration, politics, the LGBT community and women’s rights.

Internship tasks within this field can be related to research, administrative support for organizations, assistance with information sessions, education support for community groups, attending meetings to learn from various stakeholders, and proposals related to funding. Individual internships experiences vary, as the specific placement that you’re assigned will depend on review of your resume and your current level of studies and experience, as well as your chosen duration. Short term interns (one month only) can expect to obtain an overview and understanding of the work an organization may do, to reduce conflict, enhance social cohesion and promote economic development.

In all cases, interns should expect that the first week of your experience will focus on settling in and gaining some introductory knowledge, as you will not “hit the ground running”. Rather, you should start with learning about the placement to gain an understanding of what you can build upon, develop, learn, and contribute. Ensure that you ask questions and provide feedback during the introductory period, so that your supervisor understands how you’re progressing. This will help them to better understand important details, such as how quickly you learn, what you find challenging, what you find interesting, etc.

Career Benefits

Human Rights & NGO Support interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
  • Raising awareness related to human rights violations.

  • Educational measures designed to teach people how to advocate for their own rights.

  • Research related to issues impacting the work of your host organization.

  • Assistance with educational material, marketing content, communications, and fundraising proposals.

Professional development opportunities:
  • Enhance your understanding of human rights issues and challenges in South Africa.

  • Connect with professionals who can provide industry insights and mentorship.

  • Increase your practical understanding of logistical and administrative requirements for NGOs and/or non profit organizations.

  • Improve your critical thinking, research and analytical skills.

  • Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from Intern Abroad HQ’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.

Are you eligible for this internship?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

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Academic credit available for all internships

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing an internship abroad or remote internship program with Intern Abroad HQ.

Learn about course credit

Program fees

It’s free to apply for this internship. Once we have reviewed your suitability and accepted you onto this program, you’ll need to pay a deposit of US$499 to confirm your place. The remaining balance of your Program Fee (less your initial US$499 deposit payment) will be due no less than 60 days before your internship start date.

Duration
Program Fee (USD)
4 weeks $2,184 Equivalent to $78 /day
5 weeks $2,355 Equivalent to $67 /day
6 weeks $2,552 Equivalent to $60 /day
8 weeks $2,894 Equivalent to $51 /day
10 weeks $3,549 Equivalent to $50 /day
12 weeks $3,893 Equivalent to $46 /day
16 weeks $4,689 Equivalent to $41 /day
20 weeks $5,375 Equivalent to $38 /day
24 weeks $6,062 Equivalent to $36 /day
  • Airport pick-up
  • Accommodation
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • Program orientation
  • Dedicated support before, during, and after your internship
  • In-country guidance for social and tourist activities
  • Sourcing and securing your internship placement
  • Personalization of your internship plan
  • Coaching from your supervisor
  • Documented portfolio of your experiential learnings
  • Academic credit facilitation
  • International reference letter
  • Certificate of Internship Completion
  • All meals
  • All in-country transportation
  • Visa (if required), flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check
  • Transfer back to the airport at the end of your internship program
  • Personal spending money for snacks, drinks, public transport, laundry, and leisure activities during your free time.
  • A deposit of $499 (approximately 499) is required to secure your internship
  • Balance of your Program Fee is due 70 days before your internship start date. The Program Fee payment can also be completed in installments through our Zero-Fee Payment Plan. Learn more.
  • All payments attract a 5% transaction fee to cover international banking fees and currency charges.
  • Terms and Conditions apply.

Free-time experiences & tours in Cape Town

Take your internship to the next level with Intern Abroad HQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Cape Town! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto an internship program.

Cape Point Tour
Cape Point Tour

Stand at the southernmost tip of the African continent and experience Chapman’s Peak, cute African Penguins at Boulders Beach and Muizenberg’s golden shores with our Cape Point Tour.

$85
Garden Route Safari Tour
Garden Route Safari Tour

Embark on the Garden Route Tour for an adventure of emerald forests, turquoise coastlines and a rich tapestry of wildlife and culture.

$569
Safari & Wine Tour
Safari & Wine Tour

Embark on an unforgettable journey with our Safari & Wine Tasting Adventure in South Africa! Experience wildlife encounters and wine tastings against stunning landscapes.

$222

Arrival and Orientation

Internships in Cape Town begin every Monday and interns may choose to spend a minimum of 4 weeks, up to a maximum of 24 weeks. (Exceptions to start date availability may occur when start dates are closed due to public holiday disruptions or if the program has already reached capacity). Fewer internship positions are available during late December and early January, due to the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Airport pick up and accommodation are included in the Program Fee. The accommodation is covered from the Saturday night before the Monday start date. Interns are asked to arrive on the Saturday before their Monday start date, to allow sufficient time over the weekend to rest and become oriented before beginning on the Monday. The last night of accommodation that is covered by the Program Fee is the Friday night of the final week, leaving interns to depart on the Saturday morning. Extra nights of accommodation can be pre-arranged upon request and paid for separately.

All participants fly into the Cape Town International Airport (CPT), in order to receive their airport pick up and be transported to the accommodation by a pre-arranged driver. Upon arrival to the accommodation, interns are met by a local team member, who will greet them and assist with settling in. Note that all participants are advised not to book flights until they have first registered to confirm their internship placement.

Orientation typically takes place on the Sunday before the Monday start date. It covers important details for the internship, including introductions, information about culture, customs, rules, expectations, safety, language lessons, cultural excursions, and more. Interns join their placement on the following day.

If you are planning to spend time in Cape Town prior to your internship and will not require an airport pick up, we can arrange an alternative pick up from another location within the central city.

Check what’s required to visit South Africa

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Accommodation and WiFi

Internship placements are spread throughout Cape Town’s main city center and surrounding suburbs. Accommodation arrangements will be confirmed, once your internship placement has also been assigned. In most cases, accommodation will be situated in the suburbs of Observatory and Mowbray, enjoyed for proximity to the CBD and other attractions. Alternatively, accommodations may also be situated within the Newlands district.

Interns are accommodated within shared lodging, making it easy to connect with fellow program participants. Interns can expect to share a room with another intern (of the same gender). Bathrooms are also shared with a hot water shower and western toilets. WiFi is available and is also accessible at nearby cafes and restaurants. All accommodation provides cooking facilities.

It is important to note that an accommodation bond is requested at check-in. The cost of the bond is US$200, so you must budget for this. This bond is refundable, less a US$30 cleaning fee, upon your departure, provided that an inspection has been completed to confirm that you have not caused damage to the property or a need for extensive deep cleaning.

Transportation is not provided for in-country commutes between the accommodation and internship placements, so all interns must budget for this independently. The maximum travel time is typically no more than 60 minutes each way (depending on traffic congestion in the city). In all cases, internship placements will be assigned in consideration of commute logistics and opportunities to ride-share with other interns, where possible.

For convenience and safety, local coordinators can arrange a dedicated shuttle service for ongoing placement commutes (Monday through Friday). The cost for this service ranges from approx. US$150 - US$250 a month, per person, depending on the location of your placement. (On a daily basis, this could be equated to approx. US$6-9 per day). If you want to organize this service, please communicate with coordinators when your placement details are being arranged in advance.

Alternatively, for the use of Uber, it is possible to spend US$10-US$20 per day on rides, depending on where you’re going. Please budget for this, especially if you intend to use this transportation method a lot during weekends and free time.

Please note that the accommodation pictured in the photo gallery of this webpage is provided as an example. Since - depending on capacity - we can work with more than one accommodation address, the exact accommodation location or room that you’re assigned may differ from the photos. Rooms sizes, along with storage space, varies. However, you may expect similar arrangements to those that are demonstrated here. If you have particular requests/questions in advance, please communicate with us in advance.

Meals

It is important to note that internships in Cape Town do not include meals. The accommodation is located within short walking distance to an affordable supermarket, as well as great cafes and restaurants. All accommodation also provides cooking facilities.

You can readily drink the tap water throughout the city. However, it is advised to bring your own water supply when traveling to and interning in the townships.

You should aim to budget approximately US$100 per week for food. If you like to go out frequently (rather than going to the grocery store to prepare some of your own meals) then you need to budget up to US$150 per week, at least (this budget can vary depending on personal spending habits). Note that, when you go to a restaurants, there is a cultural expectation to tip at least 10%.

Essential country information

Capital Pretoria (Executive), Bloemfontein (Judicial), Cape Town (Legislative)
Population 55.91 million
Languages Afrikaans, English, Zulu, Xhosa, Swati, Tswana
Currency South African Rand (ZAR)
Time zone UTC+02:00
Weather and climate:

South Africa is generally temperate, however due to varied topography and oceanic influence, a great variety of climatic zones exist. This ranges from the extreme desert of the Namib (northwest South Africa), to the subtropical climate along the Mozambique border and the Indian Ocean (eastern South Africa). Winters in South Africa occur between June and August.

In Cape Town, the summers are warm, dry, and mostly clear; the winters are long, cool, wet, and partly cloudy. It is windy year round and common to see windsurfers enjoying the surf. Over the course of the year, the temperature in Cape Town typically varies from 48°F (9°C) to 76°F (24°C). The warm season in Cape Town usually ranges from December through March and the coldest months are June through September.

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