EPWP Youth Employment Programme – Project Support Opportunities at Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) All 9 Provinces

Job Overview
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is offering youth employment opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). This initiative is designed to provide unemployed young people with practical work experience in government projects. The programme runs for 12 months and is available across all nine provinces in South Africa. Participants will gain exposure to project administration, data management, reporting and community development work. The goal is to improve employability while supporting national and local development projects.

Programme Purpose
This EPWP Youth Employment Programme focuses on skills development and workplace readiness. Participants will work within Youth Empowerment and Contractor Development projects. The programme provides structured exposure to public sector operations. It also builds foundational skills in administration, coordination and reporting. Successful candidates will contribute to meaningful government initiatives while gaining real work experience.

Available Opportunities by Province
Project Support roles are available across multiple centres in all provinces:

Eastern Cape

• East London (Reference: EPS15EC/2026)

KwaZulu-Natal

• Durban (Reference: EPS16KZN/2026)

Western Cape

• Cape Town (Reference: EPS17WC/2026)

Limpopo

• Polokwane (Reference: EPS18Polokwane/2026)
• Waterberg (Reference: EPS18Waterberg/2026)

North West

• Mafikeng (Reference: EPS19Mafikeng/2026)
• Brits (Reference: EPS19Brits/2026)

Mpumalanga

• Nelspruit (Reference: EPS20MP/2026)

Northern Cape

• Kimberley (Reference: EPS21NC/2026)

Free State

• Bloemfontein (Reference: EPS22FS/2026)

Gauteng

• Pretoria (Reference: EPS23GP/2026)

Important Application Requirement
You must clearly state the following in your application:

• Province
• Reference number
• City or town

Separate applications are required if you apply for more than one opportunity.

Role Overview: Project Support – Youth & Contractor Development
Participants will support planning, implementation and monitoring of EPWP projects. The role involves administrative and coordination tasks linked to youth empowerment programmes. You will work with data, reports and project documentation. You will also assist with compliance checks and site visits.

Key Responsibilities

Project Support Duties

• Assist in planning youth empowerment and development projects
• Support implementation of training and EPWP initiatives
• Assist with evaluation of project progress and monthly reports
• Conduct site visits and submit feedback reports

Administration and Reporting

• Capture project data on systems and spreadsheets
• File and manage project documentation
• Upload training records, contracts and timesheets
• Support preparation of project completion reports

Financial and Compliance Support

• Assist in processing invoices with supporting documents
• Support submission of invoices for payment approval
• Ensure compliance during project planning and implementation
• Assist with project close-out processes

Stakeholder and Coordination Support

• Support coordination between project teams and stakeholders
• Assist with facilitation of project activities
• Support government planning and reporting processes

Minimum Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree or National Diploma (3-year qualification) or equivalent in a related field

Experience

• 0 to 2 years of experience preferred
• Exposure to EPWP or government programmes is an advantage

Technical Knowledge

• Basic understanding of data management and reporting
• Awareness of EPWP and government structures
• Basic knowledge of project coordination processes
• Computer literacy with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Skills Required

• Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
• Organisational and planning ability
• Basic stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Willingness to travel and work long hours when required

Personal Attributes

• Responsible and disciplined
• Detail-oriented
• Team player
• Willing to learn and adapt
• Committed to public service delivery

Programme Benefits

• Monthly stipend of R8 800
• One year of structured work experience
• Exposure to government operations and project management
• Improved employability in public and development sectors
• Practical skills development in administration and reporting

Important Conditions

• This is a fixed-term contract of 12 months
• No additional benefits are provided
• Payment is based on days worked under the EPWP “no work, no pay” principle
• Applicants are responsible for their own transport and accommodation
• Shortlisted candidates will undergo screening and verification processes
• The department reserves the right not to appoint

This EPWP Youth Employment Programme offers valuable entry-level work experience for young graduates across South Africa. It provides exposure to government projects focused on youth development and contractor support. The programme is designed to build practical skills in administration, coordination and reporting. It is suited for candidates who want to start a career in the public sector or development programmes. If you are unemployed and ready to gain real workplace experience, this opportunity offers a strong starting point.

Apply here