ASSIST REFUGEE AND MIGRANT women to develop their business, PERSONAL, and entrepreneurial skills
Are you looking for an opportunity to support refugee and immigrant women from across Africa to become self-sufficient, engaged members of South African society? We have an exciting opportunity for a Female Empowerment Internship with an NGO in Cape Town.
This NGO sees migration as an opportunity. Their Women’s Platform program consists of a network of refugee and immigrant women’s community groups. They provide its participants with ten different nationalities with mutual support, training, and in some cases opportunities for small business development. An opportunity for these women to develop their personal as well as their business and entrepreneurial skills. As an intern, you will assist the Platform Manager with project coordination, business development, and communication. An excellent opportunity to make an impact and help female immigrants and refugees in their pursuit towards self-reliance in South Africa.
QUICK FACTS
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Cape Town, South Africa |
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Social NGO |
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Female empowerment, business development, communication, coordination |
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Min. 5 months |
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From USD 3,517 |
ORGANIZATION
This organization started in Cape Town in 1994 as religious assistance to different communities of migrants but soon expanded to offering more tangible assistance as they were confronted with the problems experienced by refugees from Angola, the Congos, Rwanda, Burundi and other African communities. In 2003 a secular non-government organization was started to run these projects, the Scalabrini Center of Cape Town (SCCT).
Migration is perceived as an opportunity by this organization, so they are on a mission to alleviate poverty and promoting development in the Western Cape while fostering cultural, social and economic integration between migrants, refugees, and South Africans. In providing their assistance they advocate respect for human rights and use a holistic approach that considers all basic needs.
Every month around 2000 people visit the center, which offers service through six main programme areas:
- Advocacy: Protecting, promoting and advancing the rights and freedoms of migrants and refugees by providing paralegal advice and practical assistance to individuals on a walk-in basis. In addition, this team works on driving deeper systemic change in the South African society and immigration and asylum systems.
- English School: Providing a specialized English language school for refugees and migrants.
- Employment Access: Providing a gateway to employment by providing support to foreign nationals who are legally entitled to look for work in South Africa. The organization provides a combination of skills training, professional development, and resources needed for success in the job market.
- Unite: A unique extra-curricular curriculum for grade 8-11, which provokes a deep exploration of the themes of identity, integration, and diversity to promote activism and critical thought in youth living in South Africa.
- Welfare: Accessing services for migrants and refugees in need. Through a process of consultation, they assist individuals to access basic services such as medical care, schooling, shelter, South African Social Grants (SASSA grants) and assistance with advice/application for voluntary repatriation.
- Women’s Platform: A multi-national network of women that strengthens individuals to enhance economic independence and integration into the broader South African community.
TASKS & REQUIREMENTS
The Women’s Platform aims to support migrant women from across Africa to become self-sufficient, engaged members of South African society by creating a platform to fight isolation and discrimination and promote socio-economic integration by sharing opportunities and experience, developing key job skills, supporting small business development, and fostering personal growth.
These women are assisted in the following areas:
- Personal Development Program – Connecting the women from different countries and foster their personal development and socioeconomic growth. It’s about connections, networking and building a community of empowered women who are socially responsive and interested in activism.
- Financial Sustainability Program – Aims to teach women the skills (in f.e. beauty, childcare, crafts, hospitality) to become financially independent. They work on their personal and professional development through workshops, networking events, inspirational talks, panel discussions, mentoring, and pear-to-pear learning.
What you’ll do
- Running workshops
- Database maintenance
- Administration
- Assist in selection process (intake and processing of new women joining the platform)
- Work alongside and assist the program manager
- Facilitate opportunities for women to connect and engage with a wider network of different industries.
- Support small business ventures.
Requirements
- Background or have a strong interest in development, social work, psychology, anthropology, sociology or a related field.
- Experience in healing strategies for people with trauma, specifically through movement, breathing, yoga, dance and singing is an advantage, as this comprises a lot of the work that we do! (especially for those interested in the personal development part of the program)
- Willingness to jump in and assist with any tasks
- Interest in small business growth (especially for those interested in the financial sustainability part of the program)
- Ability to multi-task and self-manage
- Patient, resilient, and reliable
- Enjoy working with people of different cultures and learning from them
- French an advantage
- Minimum availability of 5 months
This organization also offers internships in Communications, English School, Human Rights and Advocacy, Empowerment of Refugees or an all-round position.
WHERE YOU’LL STAY
You’ll be staying at the Lenox, a comfortable guest house in the heart of Cape Town. Built in the old Cape Dutch style, the Lenox is characterful and spacious. It has a garden with a barbeque area, a large dining room, and several other communal spaces. Shared bedrooms take four to eight people, and there are plenty of single rooms available as well (at an extra fee). You’ll be walking distance from a wide range of shops, cafes and restaurants, and at a great spot for some of the touristy highlights Cape Town has to offer as well. (As well as for views of Table Mountain!)
DATES & RATES
You can start your internship every week, so your final starting date is based on what suits you and the organization the best. Please keep in mind this organization is closed for four weeks of summer holiday in December and January.
What you’ll pay (2023 rates)
5 MONTHS USD 3,517
6 MONTHS USD 4,084
At Roots, we do everything we can to make your internship experience smooth and hassle-free. We offer an all-inclusive service, which means we will help you find the right internship (we believe we are great matchmakers!), help you with visa arrangements, book accommodation for you in Cape Town, give you all the pre-departure information you need before arriving, pick you up from the airport and check in with you while on your work placement to ensure you feel supported.
What you’ll pay for:
- Transfer from Cape Town International airport to your accommodation and back on arrival and departure day
- Accommodation based on a dorm room (4-8 pax). If you prefer a single room, please contact us for availability and prices
- Two meals (breakfast and dinner) a day from Monday to Friday
- Assistance with your visa arrangement & other preparations
- On the ground support during your stay
- Free WiFi
- Assistance with finding the perfect work placement
- Supervision during your internship
- Check-in and feedback as well as a reference letter after your internship
- Your own account on a career development platform that offers content and courses focused on exploring different career opportunities
- Reference letter at the end of your internship
- A discount on weekend activities, exclusive to Roots interns
Excludes:
- Flights
- Visa, medical and travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
- Lunch, drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
- Meals during the weekend
- Transport to the office
- Costs for additional excursions or activities
QUICK FACTS
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Cape Town, South Africa |
|
Social NGO |
|
Female empowerment, business development, communication, coordination |
|
Min. 5 months |
|
From USD 3,517 |
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
”I am not taking things for granted anymore. I learned to appreciate that I most likely will never have to run from home to a place that is far from home where people speak another language.
Bailey, United StatesRefugee Empowerment Internship, Cape Town
INTERNSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Gain practical experience in business and skills development, communication, coordination
- Help refugee and migrant women develop their business, personal and professional skills
- Expand your knowledge in the field of female empowerment, small business development, and challenges these women face
- Live and work in Cape Town, arguably one of the most stunning cities in the world.
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Enjoy exploring South Africa’s many highlights during your time off
5 MONTHS USD 3,517
6 MONTHS USD 4,084
6 MONTHS USD 4,084
HOW TO APPLY
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
APPLY
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us
SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.
INTERNSHIP MATCHING
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.
PAYMENT
If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.
CONFIRMATION
Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?
Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!
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