Aurum’s Research Assistant Internship gives final-year public health and research-focused students exposure to real programme implementation, HIV-related public health work, partner coordination and evidence-based reporting. The opportunity is designed for a detail-driven graduate who wants practical experience inside a multi-country health programme.
The position is listed as Research Assistant: Intern, based in Isando, with a temporary contract duration of 9 to 12 months. The listing also shows the work level as Student/Graduate and the salary as market related.
For candidates interested in HIV programming, migrant health, key populations and health systems work, this internship offers structured exposure to how public health programmes are planned, monitored and improved in real-world settings.
What Is The Aurum Research Assistant Internship About?
The Research Assistant Intern will support Aurum South Africa with programme development, implementation support and performance assessment across programme components.
The role sits within a multi-country HIV programme that works with key populations and migrants.
This means the intern will not only assist with research-related tasks. They will also gain insight into regional coordination, community-led approaches, partner engagement and public health delivery challenges across Southern Africa.
What Will The Intern Be Responsible For?
The intern will help with planning, coordination and follow-up across different programme workstreams.
This may include supporting concept notes, workplans, implementation trackers and internal briefing materials. The role also includes assisting teams with updates from country or partner teams and turning those updates into useful management summaries.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting programme planning and coordination
- Assisting with concept notes, workplans and trackers
- Helping document lessons learned and implementation priorities
- Tracking deliverables, timelines, risks and action points
- Preparing meeting agendas, minutes and follow-up actions
- Supporting performance data review and dashboard reporting
- Helping with literature reviews and background research
- Contributing to learning products and evidence summaries
- Supporting stakeholder engagements and technical meetings
This is a strong opportunity for someone who enjoys structured research, organised documentation and public health problem-solving.
Who Should Consider This Internship?
This internship may suit a candidate who wants to build experience in public health implementation, monitoring, research support and stakeholder coordination.
The environment is likely to involve multiple deadlines, different teams and sensitive programme information.
A strong applicant should therefore be organised, professional and comfortable working with data, documents and people.
The listing specifically highlights interest in HIV, public health implementation, migrant health and key populations programming as part of the minimum requirements.
What Are The Minimum Requirements?
Applicants should carefully check whether they meet the academic and skills requirements before submitting.
The listed minimum requirements include:
- Current final-year student in a Research Psychology Masters or Public Health-related field
- Strong interest in HIV, public health implementation, migrant health and key populations programming
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines and stakeholders
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Because the role involves research support and programme coordination, applicants should make sure their curriculum vitae clearly reflects academic projects, research exposure, data work or public health-related experience where relevant.
Which Added Advantages Can Strengthen An Application?
Aurum lists several added advantages that may help a candidate stand out.
These include exposure to public health research, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation, data handling, dashboard reporting, HIV, tuberculosis, sexual and reproductive health and rights, community health, or rights-based programming.
The listing also highlights the ability to work sensitively and professionally with diverse and vulnerable populations.
This matters because the programme works with communities that require respectful, ethical and community-centred engagement.
What Competencies Are Important For This Role?
The listed competencies show that Aurum is looking for more than academic knowledge.
The ideal candidate should demonstrate analytical thinking, initiative, professional communication, teamwork, cultural sensitivity, planning, integrity and confidentiality.
These qualities are important because the intern may support programme information, partner updates, performance reports and learning materials that require accuracy and care.
Itumeleng’s Insider Tip: For a research-focused internship like this, do not send a generic curriculum vitae. Highlight your research projects, data analysis exposure, report writing, literature review experience, public health interests and any community-based work. Aurum is likely to value evidence that you can organise information clearly and handle sensitive programme work professionally.
What Are The Internship Details?
Position: Research Assistant: Intern
Work Level: Student/Graduate
Contract Type: Temporary
Duration: 9 to 12 months
Salary: Market related
Location: Isando
Date Listed: 07 July 2026
Closing Date Shown: 08 July 2026
Employment Equity Position: No
The listing shows a closing date of 08 July 2026. Since that date has already passed, readers should check the official portal to confirm whether the listing is still accepting submissions before preparing an application.
How Can Candidates Submit Their Details?
Candidates should use the official online application portal to check the current status of the listing and submit their details if the portal still allows applications.
Before submitting, candidates should prepare:
- Updated curriculum vitae
- Academic details linked to Research Psychology or Public Health
- Any research, monitoring, evaluation or data-handling experience
- Clear examples of report writing, literature review or programme support exposure
- Contact details that are active and easy to reach
Applicants should also note that appointments are subject to security clearance, reference checks and competency assessment. Aurum states that only shortlisted applicants will be interviewed.
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Final Thoughts
The Aurum Research Assistant Internship 2026 is a valuable opportunity for a final-year student who wants practical exposure to public health implementation, research support and programme coordination.
The role offers experience across HIV programming, migrant health, key populations work, partner engagement, data review and evidence generation.
Candidates who meet the requirements should check the official portal immediately to confirm whether the listing is still active and whether submissions are still being accepted.
