If you are passionate about psychology, mental health, and making a real difference in the lives of young people, this opportunity might be the perfect fit for you. Nova Pioneer, a fast-growing network of innovative schools in South Africa, is opening applications for Intern Educational Psychologists to join its Psychosocial Team (PST) in 2026.
This is more than just an internship – it’s a journey to develop your professional skills, gain hands-on experience, and prepare for a meaningful career in psychology within educational settings.
About Nova Pioneer
Nova Pioneer is not your typical school. It’s a network of schools that are developing generations of innovators and leaders who will shape the African Century. With campuses across South Africa and Kenya, Nova Pioneer combines academic excellence with innovation, entrepreneurship, and social-emotional learning.
Working at Nova Pioneer means being part of a team that values:
- Innovation – new ideas are welcomed and tested.
- Collaboration – working with teachers, parents, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Growth – students and staff are encouraged to learn and grow continuously.
- Joy in learning – creating a positive and engaging environment for education.
For psychology interns, this is the perfect environment to practice, learn, and grow under professional supervision.
About the Intern Educational Psychologists Role
The 2026 Intern Educational Psychologist role is designed to train and prepare young professionals in the psychology field. Interns will work closely with Nova Pioneer’s educational psychologists to provide essential mental health and learning support to students from Grade 00/000 (pre-primary) up to Grade 12 (matric).
You will gain real-life, practical experience in:
- Therapeutic interventions: Providing play therapy, trauma support, and one-on-one counselling.
- Assessments: Conducting psycho-educational and remedial assessments to identify learning needs.
- Support programs: Facilitating workshops, group sessions, and social-emotional learning activities.
- Collaboration: Working with teachers, parents, and student support teams to create effective support strategies.
- Professional practice: Writing psychometrically-sound reports, maintaining records, and following HPCSA (Health Professions Council of South Africa) guidelines.
This is a full-time internship, and you will be expected to work during school terms and holidays. Leave days are allocated according to HPCSA rules and the Nova Pioneer school contract.
Key Responsibilities
As an Intern Educational Psychologist at Nova Pioneer, you will:
- Provide Individual Support
- Offer counselling and therapeutic interventions (including play therapy).
- Support students dealing with trauma, stress, and personal challenges.
- Assist with Learning Support
- Provide remedial interventions for students with learning difficulties.
- Work with teachers to develop learning strategies and classroom support plans.
- Conduct Assessments
- Carry out psycho-educational assessments to understand students’ needs.
- Write professional reports that can be used by teachers and parents.
- Facilitate Group Work & Workshops
- Run group interventions focusing on social-emotional learning.
- Provide workshops for students, parents, and staff.
- Collaborate in a Multidisciplinary Team
- Work with teachers, social workers, and psychologists.
- Attend Student Support Team (SST) meetings.
- Maintain Professional Standards
- Keep accurate and confidential clinical records.
- Uphold HPCSA’s professional and ethical guidelines
Requirements
To qualify for this internship, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Completed or close to completing a Master’s degree in Educational or Counselling Psychology (no coursework time will be given).
- An approved individualized internship program signed off by the Professional Board for Psychology (by December 2025).
- HPCSA registration as an Intern Psychologist by January 2026.
- Experience in therapeutic interventions and psychological assessments.
- Willingness to travel and work across different Nova Pioneer campuses.
- Strong commitment to professional ethics and confidentiality.
- Passion for working with children and young people.
How to Apply
Applying is simple, but you need to follow the instructions carefully:
- Complete the application form on Nova Pioneer’s careers portal
- Attach your CV in Microsoft Word or PDF format
- Make sure your internship program is HPCSA-approved before the end of 2025.
- Submit all documents before the closing date: 31 December 2025.
Important Note: Nova Pioneer will never charge you an application fee. If anyone asks you to pay, it’s a scam. Report it immediately to:
- talent.ke@novapioneer.com (Kenya)
- talent.sa@novapioneer.com (South Africa)
The Recruitment Process
If shortlisted, you will go through several stages:
- Phone Interview – a short call to check your background and experience.
- Practical Task – you may be asked to complete a written task or short demo.
- In-Person Interview – visit one of the campuses and meet the team.
- Final Interview – a last discussion with the hiring manager.
Successful candidates will then be offered the internship for 2026.
Why Work at Nova Pioneer?
Nova Pioneer is more than a workplace – it’s a community. Here’s what you can expect:
- Growth Opportunities – constant training, mentorship, and career pathways.
- Innovative Work Environment – space to try new approaches in psychology.
- Supportive Culture – teamwork and collaboration are core values.
- Energy and Joy – the school culture is vibrant, creative, and motivating.
If you’re looking for an environment where you can grow faster than in traditional schools, Nova Pioneer might be the best place for you.
Closing Date
31 December 2025
Don’t miss this deadline – late applications will not be accepted.