Chief Officer: Senior Counselling Psychologist (post level 8) at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities:

• Provide Psychotherapy and counselling with regards to personal, social, emotional and career development.
• Identify, diagnose, and treat serious psychological problems and refer to other professionals when the need arises.
• Liaise with Student Counselling and Development, management, student affairs, faculties, academic departments, support services and student representatives.
• Conduct Psychometric assessments & provide Career Counselling.
• Perform psychological screening and first level interventions aimed at enhancing student functioning.
• Design and present developmental workshops for students.

Market of the service.

• Office management and administration.
• Provide supervision and training to Intern psychologists and / or counsellors.

Conduct research.

• Participate in the Division of Student Affairs goals and objectives.

Inherent requirements:

• A master’s degree on NQF Level 9 in Counselling Psychology.
• Active registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in the category Counselling Psychology.
• A minimum of Three (3) years’ experience in Higher Education, or in working with young adults, and an involvement in student/ young adults’ life activities or initiatives.
• Proven experience in providing supervision to postgraduate psychology students.

Recommendations:

• Knowledge of university systems, policies, procedures
• Member of a or registration at a professional body
• Sesotho and/or Zulu speaking
• Proven experience in a counselling setting within Higher Education.

Competencies

Required competencies: 

Results oriented.

• The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.
• The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Strategic thinking.

• The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection, and approach work in a neat and organised manner.
• The ability to be creative and open-minded when addressing work issues.

Business Acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to function with ease in the university’s richly diverse working environment.
• Effective time management.
• Excellent ability to plan and function in an organised manner.

Leading.

• The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
• The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

Building coalitions

• The ability to be sensitive and understanding to the needs and feelings of others.
• The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.