Job Description

About Mission for Inner City

Mission for Inner City Cape Town is a dynamic non-profit dedicated to transforming Cape Town's CBD into an inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable urban hub. By uniting business, government, and community stakeholders, we drive placemaking, economic growth, and urban innovation to create a city center that fosters opportunity, culture, and dignity.



We are seeking a

Data Research & GIS Support-Intern

to harness cutting-edge geospatial and data technologies to shape urban placemaking initiatives. This role will drive data-driven insights to address evolving demographic, mobility, and environmental trends, reimagining Cape Town's inner city as a thriving, equitable space.

Our Values & Work Environment

Creativity, Curiosity, Collaboration

Our modern, centrally located workspace, designed by Cape Town's leading brand builders, offers a vibrant and inspiring environment with open-plan hot desks, a cozy lounge, a small kitchen, pristine restrooms, and two boardrooms. Our small, diverse, and growing team thrives on creativity and open-minded collaboration, often engaging in "walkshops" to explore and connect with the inner city.

Role Purpose

As an intern, you will support the Mission for the Inner City by collecting on-the-ground data in Zone 1. Using a tablet or smartphone, you'll map out key areas of the inner city and conduct short interviews with vendors, residents, workers, and visitors. This role is hands-on, focused on capturing accurate information that will help shape our understanding of how people experience Cape Town's inner city.

Responsibilities:

Collect and verify data on businesses, buildings, and community resources. Support GIS mapping and maintain datasets. Assist in data analysis to inform reports and dashboards. Collaborate with the data team to ensure accuracy and quality.

Qualifications:

Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in urban planning, geography, GIS, Data science, computer science, social science, or related fields Familiarity with digital mapping tools (Google Maps, What3Words, QGIS, ArcGIS) Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills. Interest in urban planning, civic tech, or social impact initiatives, or community research. Team player committed to safe and ethical data collection. Has a cellphone, computer, tablet, and WiFi for remote work Has transport available to get into the city

Impact:

Gain hands-on experience in urban data research and GIS mapping while contributing to projects that improve Cape Town's inner city for businesses and communities alike.

If You Are

Analytical & Methodical:

You bring rigor and structure to complex, multi-source datasets, ensuring data integrity and reliability.

Creative & Curious:

You're driven to explore innovative ways to measure and analyze urban trends, constantly asking, "What else can we uncover?"

Collaborative:

You excel in co-creative environments, building strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, from corporate funders to grassroots communities.

Adaptable & Practical:

You navigate imperfect datasets with pragmatism, delivering timely, actionable insights even when data isn't perfect.

Mission-Aligned:

You embody our core values--creativity, curiosity, and collaboration--and are passionate about building trust and hope through data-driven urban transformation.

Why Join Us?

Be part of a forward-thinking team reimagining Cape Town's inner city. Your work will directly influence urban policy, foster community trust, and create lasting impact in one of Africa's most vibrant cities.

Closing Date

: 30 September 2025