Postgraduate Student Advisor, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Science at University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The incumbent will be responsible for providing specialist academic, professional and psychosocial support to promote the academic success, wellbeing and professional development of postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, MMedVet residents, and veterinary interns within the Faculty of Veterinary Science. The successful candidate will provide specialist individual coaching and developmental support while designing, implementing and evaluating innovative programmes and strategic student success initiatives that promote academic achievement, resilience, wellbeing and professional development.

The responsibilities of the incumbent will include:

• Providing confidential individual coaching, counselling and developmental support to postgraduate students (including postdoctoral fellows and MMedVet residents) and veterinary interns experiencing academic, personal or professional challenges; 
• Identifying students at risk and implementing appropriate evidence-based intervention strategies to improve academic success, wellbeing and timely completion; 
• Developing, implementing and evaluating evidence-informed programmes, workshops and short courses that promote academic success, resilience, leadership, professional identity formation and successful transition into professional practice; 
• Coordinating and presenting the annual induction programme to all newly registered postgraduate students, as well as the compulsory transition programmes that prepare veterinary interns and MMedVet residents for the professional and clinical working environment; 
• Developing and providing workshops on topics such as stress management, resilience, communication, conflict management, leadership, wellbeing and professional development;
• Working closely with the Faculty Postgraduate Student Association and supporting the planning, coordination and implementation of student wellbeing and wellness initiatives; 
• Referring students to appropriate University support services where required and liaising with relevant stakeholders regarding student support interventions; 
• Working collaboratively with academic staff, supervisors, Heads of Department and Faculty management to strengthen postgraduate academic success, wellbeing and professional development initiatives; 
• Contributing to the development of a supportive, inclusive and student-centred postgraduate culture within the Faculty;
• Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, maintaining appropriate records and preparing reports on student support activities and outcomes; 
• Contributing to the strategic development of Faculty initiatives that enhance postgraduate academic success, student wellbeing, professional development and timely completion; and
• Performing any other duties as determined by the Dean or Deputy Dean: Research and Postgraduate Studies. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• A Master's degree in Educational Psychology; 
• Current registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as an Educational Psychologist; 
• At least three years' relevant professional experience in student development, academic support, coaching or counselling within a higher education or comparable professional training environment;  
• Demonstrated experience in designing, facilitating and evaluating developmental programmes, workshops or structured training interventions; and
• Demonstrated experience in providing individual coaching and facilitating group-based interventions for students or young professionals within a higher education or comparable professional training environment, particularly in high-performance academic, research or clinical settings.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES)

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Sound knowledge of postgraduate student development, academic success and wellbeing within a higher education environment; 
• Sound knowledge of adult learning principles, leadership development, resilience, professional identity formation and student success interventions; 
• Excellent coaching, facilitation, interpersonal and communication skills; 
• The ability to establish productive professional relationships with students, supervisors, academic staff and other stakeholders; 
• Strong organisational, planning and project management skills; 
• Excellent presentation, report-writing and administrative skills; 
• The ability to work independently while contributing effectively within multidisciplinary teams; 
• High levels of professionalism, ethical conduct, discretion and confidentiality; and
• Excellent computer literacy, including proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite and online learning platforms. 

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

Preference may be given to candidates who have:

• A PhD in Educational Psychology; 
• Experience within a research-intensive higher education environment; 
• Experience supporting postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, veterinary interns or medical/veterinary residents; 
• Demonstrated experience in developing and facilitating leadership, resilience, professional development and transition into professional practice programmes; 
• Experience in the development and facilitation of structured learning programmes for adult learners; and
• Experience working within multidisciplinary academic, research, healthcare or veterinary environments.

Deadline:20th September,2026