ISDG GRADUATE PROGRAMME 2026

eThekwini Municipality

Programme Duration: Three (3) Years – Fixed-Term Contract
Closing Date: 06 November 2026

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

eThekwini Municipality invites applications from suitably qualified, unemployed South African graduates to participate in the ISDG Graduate Programme, a structured three-year professional development programme.

The programme is intended for graduates who have not acquired relevant work experience following completion of their qualifications and who wish to develop their professional knowledge, practical skills and competencies within the Built Environment.

Successful candidates will be appointed on a three-year fixed-term contract and provided with opportunities to gain practical workplace exposure and professional development within the Municipality.

MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must:

1. Be South African citizens.
2. Be under the age of 35 at the time of application.
3. Be unemployed at the time of application.
4. Have no relevant post-qualification work experience in their field of study.
5. Possess a completed qualification in one of the specified disciplines.
6. Meet the academic requirements applicable to professional registration within their respective disciplines.
7. In the case of engineering graduates, have completed their engineering qualification within five and a half (5.5) years or less.
8. Not have previously benefited from a municipal development programme, in accordance with the programme's eligibility requirements.
9. Be willing to participate in the required assessments, including competency and skills assessments.
10. Be willing to enter into a three-year fixed-term employment contract with eThekwini Municipality if selected.

Advantageous Requirement

Possession of a valid driver's licence will be an advantage.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

• Applicants must complete all mandatory sections of the online application accurately and truthfully.
• Applicants must provide correct information regarding their citizenship, age, qualifications, employment status and previous participation in municipal development programmes.
• All qualifications must be completed and meet the academic requirements of the relevant professional body.
• Shortlisted applicants may be required to undergo screening, assessments, competency evaluations and verification of qualifications and other information.
• Applicants may be required to present original supporting documents for verification.
• Providing false, misleading or incomplete information may result in disqualification or withdrawal of an offer of appointment.
• Submission of an application does not guarantee selection or appointment.

CLOSING DATE: 06 NOVEMBER 2026

Applications must be submitted on or before the advertised closing date.

ENQUIRIES

Project Officer - Mndeni Gumede
Tel: 031 312 6919 

Project Manager - Zimele Cele
Tel: 031 311 3252 

eThekwini Municipality
www.durban.gov.za

FIELDS OF STUDY

Applications are invited from graduates who hold a relevant National Diploma, Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), Honours or Master's qualification obtained from a university or recognised higher education institution in one of the following disciplines:

• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Town and Regional Planning
• Land Surveying and Geomatics

Qualifications must meet the relevant academic requirements for professional registration with the applicable Built Environment Professional Body.

ONLY APPLICANTS WHO HAVE OBTAINED THEIR OFFICIAL QUALIFICATION CERTIFICATES WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THE ISDG GRADUATE PROGRAMME 2026.

QUALIFICATION COMPLETION LETTERS, LETTERS CONFIRMING COMPLETION OF STUDIES, ACADEMIC RECORDS OR ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AS SUBSTITUTES FOR OFFICIAL QUALIFICATION CERTIFICATES.

ALL APPLICANTS MUST UPLOAD THEIR OFFICIAL QUALIFICATION CERTIFICATES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS WHEN SUBMITTING THEIR ONLINE APPLICATIONS.

APPLICATIONS WITHOUT THE REQUIRED QUALIFICATION CERTIFICATES, WITH MISSING MANDATORY DOCUMENTS, OR WITH INCOMPLETE APPLICATION INFORMATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR SHORTLISTING OR SELECTION.