1Life is offering recent graduates a chance to enter project management through a paid Project Coordinator Internship in Gauteng. The contract programme includes practical insurance-industry experience, mentorship and professional development, while applicants need a degree in Project Administration or a related field.
The opportunity appears under reference number OLI-1882 and targets student or graduate-level candidates who want to turn their academic knowledge into practical workplace experience.
Although the official vacancy title describes the position as an internship, the description also refers to it as a learnership. Therefore, shortlisted candidates should confirm the final programme structure, duration and contract conditions directly with 1Life.
The selected graduate will receive a monthly stipend and work with a project team inside the insurance industry. However, the advertisement does not disclose the stipend amount or application deadline.
Why could this opportunity help launch a project management career?
Project coordination requires practical experience that graduates may not gain fully through classroom assignments.
A coordinator often helps teams organise tasks, monitor deadlines, communicate progress and maintain accurate project documents. Therefore, this opportunity can help a graduate understand how project plans operate within a professional business environment.
The selected candidate will also gain exposure to the insurance industry. As a result, the programme may help the graduate understand how regulated businesses manage projects, internal processes and team responsibilities.
The experience could support future applications for positions such as:
- Junior Project Coordinator
- Project Administrator
- Programme Assistant
- Project Support Officer
- Operations Coordinator
- Project Management Intern
- Business Support Coordinator
Although the programme does not guarantee permanent employment, the workplace experience could strengthen the graduate’s curriculum vitae and provide useful professional references.
Who can submit an application?
1Life requires applicants to hold a degree in Project Administration or a related qualification.
The advertisement does not provide a detailed list of accepted related fields. However, candidates with qualifications that include project planning, administration, business operations or coordination modules may still consider submitting an application.
Applicants must also demonstrate:
- Strong organisational abilities
- Clear written and verbal communication
- Good computer literacy
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- The ability to work within a team
- The ability to meet deadlines
- A willingness to learn
- Professional motivation
- Careful attention to detail
Because 1Life lists the opportunity at student or graduate level, the company does not require extensive professional experience.
Nevertheless, applicants should use academic projects, volunteer work, internships or student leadership activities to demonstrate relevant skills.
Which academic experience could strengthen an application?
Recent graduates can often show project coordination abilities without having held a formal full-time position.
For example, university and college assignments may involve planning activities, dividing responsibilities, monitoring deadlines and preparing reports.
Applicants could highlight experience such as:
- Coordinating a group research assignment
- Preparing a project schedule
- Tracking tasks and submission dates
- Organising meetings for a student team
- Compiling progress reports
- Creating presentations
- Managing shared documents
- Communicating with lecturers or project stakeholders
- Resolving delays within a group assignment
Instead of writing only that they have “strong organisational skills,” candidates should provide a short example.
For instance:
Coordinated a five-member academic project team, monitored weekly deadlines and compiled the final presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint.
This statement gives the recruiter clear evidence of project coordination, teamwork and computer literacy.
What could the selected graduate gain from the programme?
The advertisement identifies several benefits for the successful applicant.
These include:
- A monthly stipend
- Practical workplace experience
- Exposure to project coordination
- Experience within the insurance industry
- Professional mentorship
- Skills development
- Career-building experience in project management
The vacancy portal describes the remuneration as market related, while the programme description confirms that the successful graduate will receive a monthly stipend.
However, 1Life has not published the exact amount.
Candidates should therefore wait for the recruitment team to confirm the stipend, payment schedule and any additional benefits during the selection process.
What could the graduate do as part of the project team?
The advertisement does not provide a detailed daily duty list. However, project coordination internships generally involve supporting the planning and administration of project activities.
The selected graduate may receive exposure to tasks such as:
- Updating project trackers
- Monitoring deadlines
- Preparing meeting documents
- Recording minutes and action points
- Following up on outstanding tasks
- Organising project information
- Supporting reports and presentations
- Communicating updates to team members
- Maintaining project records
- Assisting with administrative activities
The exact responsibilities will depend on the projects assigned by the employer.
Therefore, candidates should remain flexible and prepare to learn different systems, processes and reporting methods.
Why does Microsoft Office proficiency matter?
Project teams use digital tools to organise information, monitor progress and communicate with stakeholders.
A Project Coordinator may use Microsoft Word to prepare reports, Microsoft Excel to track tasks and Microsoft PowerPoint to create presentations.
In addition, Microsoft Outlook may help the coordinator organise meetings, manage email communication and maintain calendars.
Applicants should feel comfortable with tasks such as:
- Creating professional Word documents
- Updating Excel spreadsheets
- Sorting and filtering data
- Using basic Excel formulas
- Creating PowerPoint presentations
- Scheduling Outlook meetings
- Organising electronic folders
- Naming and storing files correctly
Candidates should only claim skills they can demonstrate during an interview or practical assessment.
How should applicants prepare their curriculum vitae?
The curriculum vitae should present the candidate as an organised graduate who wants to build practical project management experience.
Applicants should include:
- A focused professional summary
- Their completed degree
- Relevant academic modules
- Project-based assignments
- Microsoft Office skills
- Teamwork experience
- Communication abilities
- Volunteer or leadership activities
- Accurate contact information
- Contactable references where available
A suitable professional summary could read:
Recent Project Administration graduate with academic experience coordinating team assignments, monitoring deadlines and preparing project documentation. Proficient in Microsoft Office and eager to gain practical project management experience within the insurance industry.
Candidates with a related qualification should clearly list the modules that connect their studies to project coordination.
These could include project planning, business administration, risk management, operations management, financial administration or organisational communication.
Itumeleng’s Insider Tip: Tailor your curriculum vitae to reference number OLI-1882 instead of sending a general graduate profile. Place your qualification, Microsoft Office skills and strongest project example near the top so the recruiter can immediately see why you match the opportunity.
Which documents should applicants prepare?
The advertisement specifically asks candidates to send their curriculum vitae.
However, applicants should prepare additional supporting documents in case the recruitment team requests them during shortlisting.
These may include:
- An updated curriculum vitae
- A certified identity document
- A certified degree certificate
- A complete academic record
- An official qualification completion letter
- Relevant short-course certificates
- A brief motivation letter
- Proof of address if requested
Graduates who have completed their studies but have not yet received their formal certificate should prepare an official completion letter and academic transcript.
Applicants should also save their documents using professional file names.
For example:
Name_Surname_Project_Coordinator_Curriculum_Vitae.pdf
This looks more professional than file names such as CV New.pdf or Document Final 2.pdf.
How should candidates submit their applications?
Candidates must send their curriculum vitae by email to:
The email subject line should identify both the position and reference number.
A suitable subject line would be:
Project Coordinator Internship Application – OLI-1882 – Name Surname
Candidates can also review the vacancy through the official 1Life recruitment listing.
Before sending the email, applicants should confirm that:
- The correct curriculum vitae is attached
- The attachment opens correctly
- Reference number OLI-1882 appears in the subject line
- The email address is correct
- Their telephone number remains active
- Their qualification details are accurate
- The email contains no spelling mistakes
Since the advertisement does not provide a closing date, eligible graduates should submit their applications as soon as possible.
What should candidates write in the application email?
The email should remain brief, professional and relevant.
Candidates can introduce themselves, state their qualification and confirm their interest in the programme.
A suitable message could read:
Dear Recruitment Team
Please accept my application for the Project Coordinator Internship under reference number OLI-1882.
I recently completed a degree in Project Administration and would welcome the opportunity to gain practical project coordination experience within 1Life.
My curriculum vitae is attached for your consideration.
Kind regards
Name and surname
Contact number
Candidates with a related qualification should replace the qualification wording with their correct degree title.
Which details remain unclear in the advertisement?
The vacancy provides the core qualification and skills requirements. However, it does not disclose several important programme details.
The advert does not state:
- The monthly stipend amount
- The contract duration
- The programme starting date
- The daily working hours
- The exact workplace address
- A closing date
- Whether the programme may lead to permanent employment
Shortlisted candidates should confirm these details before accepting an offer.
Additionally, the listing uses both internship and learnership to describe the opportunity. Candidates should therefore ask the recruiter which programme structure and contract conditions apply.
Which application mistakes should graduates avoid?
Small errors can weaken an otherwise suitable application.
Candidates should avoid:
- Sending an empty email
- Leaving the subject line blank
- Omitting reference number OLI-1882
- Attaching the wrong curriculum vitae
- Using an outdated contact number
- Uploading unreadable documents
- Exaggerating Microsoft Office skills
- Listing qualifications they have not completed
- Sending the application to an unofficial address
- Paying anyone who promises guaranteed placement
Applicants should also proofread their curriculum vitae carefully.
Since the position requires communication, organisation and attention to detail, spelling mistakes and inconsistent formatting may create a poor first impression.
Does the internship guarantee permanent employment?
The listing classifies the opportunity as a contract position.
However, it does not promise permanent employment after the programme ends.
Therefore, candidates should view the internship as a chance to gain valuable experience, professional mentorship and exposure to project coordination within the insurance sector.
A strong performance may improve future career prospects, but any further employment will depend on available opportunities and the employer’s recruitment needs.
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Final Thoughts
The 1Life Project Coordinator Internship 2026 gives recent graduates a practical opportunity to begin building a career in project management.
Applicants need a degree in Project Administration or a related field, together with strong organisational, communication and Microsoft Office skills.
The selected graduate will receive a monthly stipend, mentorship and practical project coordination experience within the insurance industry.
However, 1Life has not published the stipend amount, programme duration or closing date. Eligible candidates should therefore prepare a focused curriculum vitae and send it promptly to jhbjobs@1life.co.za, using reference number OLI-1882.
