CSIR SHE Implementation Internship

Are you a recent graduate wanting hands‑on experience in Safety, Health, Environment & Quality (SHEQ)? The CSIR is offering a SHE Implementation internship in Pretoria, at their Scientia campus. This is your chance to build skills, learn workplace practice, and get ready for a career in SHEQ.

SHE Implementation Internship Overview

• Job Title: SHE Implementation Internship
• Employer: CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research)
• Location: Pretoria, Scientia Campus
• Closing Date: 17 September 2025

Duties and Responsibilities

Here are some of the things you’ll be responsible for:

1. Monthly SHE management walkabouts (MBWAs)
   Help support divisional / portfolio leaders (S16.2 appointees) by doing these walkabouts, reporting findings, and ensuring fixes are made.
2. Incident and non‑conformity follow‑ups
   When something goes wrong (or doesn’t meet requirements), you track the issue, report on it, and follow through until it’s rectified.
3. Corrective Action Requests (CARs)
   Ensure that any CARs are raised on time, tracked properly, and closed appropriately.
4. Risk assessments
   Be involved in SHE risk assessments: ensuring they are done, signed off, updated.
5. Audits
   Participate in both internal and external SHEQ audits. These check whether CSIR is doing things the right way.
6. Emergency evacuation drills
   Help to plan and participate when evacuations are practised.
7. SHE committee meetings
   Attend, take records, and follow up on what comes out of these meetings.
8. Procedure review
   Participate in reviewing and updating SHE procedures and processes.
9. Supporting SHE role‑players
   Work with SHE Representatives, Impact Area Managers / Research Group Leaders, and others. Tasks may include inspections, procurement of safety materials, maintaining training records, keeping equipment/machinery registers, etc.
10. Documentation
    Ensure that all SHE documented information is kept up to standard, in line with Document Management Procedures.
11. Training coordination
    Help with preparing and presenting an annual SHE training calendar. Arrange and coordinate trainings for roleplayers.
12. Incident investigations
    If there is an incident, help with investigating them and/or preparing reports.
13. Service requests
    Respond to any requests tied to the SHE function in your division/support portfolio. Make sure responses are efficient and effective.

Requirements

To succeed in this internship, you should have:

• A three‑year National Diploma (or equivalent) in a SHE field (Safety, Health, Environment or related).
• Good communication skills (you’ll be speaking to many people and writing reports).
• Knowledge of SHE Management Systems.
• Knowledge of regulations like the OHS Act (Occupational Health & Safety) and NEMA (National Environmental Management Act) will be an advantage.
• Strong interpersonal skills – you’ll work with many people.
• Good administrative and report writing skills.
• Be computer literate (basic programs, probably Word, Excel, etc.).

Why this is a good chance

• Gain practical work experience in a real‑world research environment.
• Build your network by working with many role‑players (managers, safety reps etc.).
• Learn the legal and practical side of SHE: managing risk, following regulations, audits, etc.
• Improve your CV: hands‑on experience is valuable for future jobs in safety / environment / quality roles.
• CSIR is a respected institution in South Africa, which adds weight to your experience.

Recommended for you: Where to Get a Free CV Template in SA

How to Apply

If you want more info before applying, you can email: Recruitmentinfo@csir.co.za (but don’t send your application to that address—it’s only for enquiries).

CSIR supports employment equity, so preference will be given to candidates from designated groups under South Africa’s Employment Equity Act. Also, applications may include credit / criminal checks and verification of qualifications and work history.

Also check: Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Internships

The CSIR SHE Implementation Internship is an excellent stepping stone for graduates in the Safety, Health, Environment & Quality world. You’ll get broad exposure—operational tasks, audits, training, documentation, incident follow‑ups—and be part of an organisation doing real work to keep people safe and ensure environmental compliance.