About the South Africa Independent Development Fund The Kgodiso Development Fund (KDF) was established as part of PepsiCo’s merger conditions following its acquisition of Pioneer Foods. The Fund manages an aggregate of R600 million, dedicated to supporting South Africa’s development priorities in education, SMME growth, enterprise, and agricultural development. Of this, R300 million supports emerging black farmers in the PepsiCo value chain, R200 million goes toward education (including scholarships for disadvantaged students in engineering, agronomy, and nutrition sciences), and R100 million develops black-owned SMMEs and enterprises.
Programme Structure Graduates will spend 12 months at Kgodiso, working under a dedicated mentor and placed in business units aligned to their qualifications and career goals. During the programme, they will pursue an accredited academic qualification, gain practical technical experience, and enhance their development through structured soft skills training. By completion, graduates will hold both a recognised qualification and valuable workplace exposure.
Qualification Requirements • Applicants must be South African citizens. • Must have obtained/completed the required academic qualifications. • BCom / BBusSci / BSc in Finance, Accounting, Agricultural Economics, Economics or related fields. • Strong analytical and research skills with a keen interest in investments. • A strong desire to work in financial and development services. • Strong interpersonal and communication skills. • Not employed or registered in any other learnership or graduate programme
Role Scope Graduate: Pre Investment
Assist the Senior Credit Investment Analyst and Head of Business Development in evaluating funding propositions through preliminary/basic assessments
Screen applications for completeness and alignment with eligibility criteria before progressing to due diligence.
Coordinate and conduct industry-related research to inform pipeline development, assessments.
Participate in the assessment process and provide administrative support to the Financial Analyst and Senior Credit Investment Analyst during post-approval processes.
Assist the Investment Analyst in compiling reports, presentations, and supporting documentation for submission to approval committees (e.g., ManCo, Board)
Assist with setting up ManCo meetings and distribution of meeting materials.
Prepare and collate the ManCo pack in advance of meetings.
Record meetings, request a draft of accurate minutes, and circulate them to stakeholders for review and inputs.
Track and follow up on ManCo resolutions to ensure implementation and reporting.
Support the BDM with ad hoc administrative activities as assigned, e.g. updating pipeline
Ensure effective filing, document management, and circulation of information within the Business Development team.
Graduate: Post Investment
Maintain accurate and up-to-date post investment reports of all funded farmers (contracts, reports, repayment schedules, post conditions, compliance documents).
On-time preparation and submission of monitoring reports and dashboards.
Assist with undertakings and following up on outstanding submissions.
Support the scheduling of farm visits and other meetings.
Draft and circulate minutes of post-investment meetings and track action items.
Support compliance checks (Track cessions and insurance contracts).
Support with market access (loading of clients onto the PepsiCo system and invoicing).
Assist with BDSP management, bi-weekly meeting minutes, scheduling meetings, follow-up on actions and requests.
Tracking of farm income, allocate funds to the respective farmer and issue loan repayments to loan administrator.
Liaise with finance/admin team to reconcile payments, disbursements, and collections.
Provide administrative support with KDF Comms. and Marketing (drafting of sponsorship requests, source possible sponsorship opportunities, review sponsorship contracts, organize media visits, etc.)
Assist in preparing communication with farmers (payment reminders, repayment notices).
Assist with drafting loan restructure and extension applications to MANCO and board.
Accuracy and completeness of farmer files, databases, and compliance records.
Graduate: Finance
Financial reporting support: assist with preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, including reconciliations and schedules. - - - - - - -
Transaction processing: administrative function of verifying, and processing payments.
Budget and forecasting assistance: support the with data gathering, variance analysis, and preparation of budget monitoring reports.
Portfolio monitoring: assist with Loan Performance and Credit Risk Reporting.
Assist with reporting to Founder.
Audit and compliance support: support in the preparation of audit files and related supporting documentation.
Risk management support: assist with updating risk report, monitoring internal controls, and reporting on compliance matters.
Stakeholder support: assist in preparation of presentations, briefing notes, and finance-related correspondence for internal and external stakeholders.
What’s in it for you?
A fixed stipend for 12 Months
Practical technical experience
Obtaining an accredited academic qualification/accreditation
An opportunity to enhance your development through structured soft skills training
Mentorship and coaching
Work type: Full-time, fixed-term contract Work model: On-site Expected start date: 01 November 2025 Office: Germiston
Programme Structure Phase 1 (Month 1): Onboarding & Induction – Orientation, readiness workshops, mentor assignment. Phase 2 (Months 2 to 11): Stream-Based Work & Academic Development – Placement in relevant business unit streams, completion of formal postgraduate qualification modules or professional certification requirements, soft skills training, and continuous mentorship. Phase 3 (Month 11 to 12): Transition & Exit – Completion of final academic/professional modules, workplace readiness workshops, exit evaluation, and graduation ceremony.
Periodic Assessment
Baseline and final knowledge/skills assessment by the training institution.
Quarterly supervisor and mentor reviews focused on expected outcomes.
360° lite at Months 6 and 12.
Exit evaluation/close-out capstone project
IMPORTANT: Advertisement Information Advert closing date: Friday 10 October 2025, 5pm Please send all applications to lusandatshaka@uraconsulting.net Please email cover letter, (who you are and why the interest in the graduate programme at KDF) full cv, academic record, academic certificates incl. matric, ID copy- No need to certify *Kindly note that no applications received after closing and through other means will be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.