Social Worker (Post Level 9) at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities:

Provide psychosocial assessment and support services to students by:

• Conducting psychosocial assessments of students experiencing personal, academic, emotional or social challenges.
• Providing short-term counselling and psychosocial interventions within the scope of professional social work practice.
• Developing intervention plans aligned to individual student needs.
• Attending to psychosocial emergencies after hours as needed and where possible.
• Providing trauma-informed support where appropriate.
• Provide input on policies and procedures that assist in management of students.
• To support student wellbeing, resilience and academic success.

Provide crisis intervention services by:

• Responding to students experiencing mental health crises, trauma, bereavement, abuse, gender-based violence, financial or social distress.
• Assessing immediate risks.
• Supporting students who experience setbacks in academic performance.
• Coordinating emergency support and referrals where required.
• Ensuring timely intervention and student safety during crises.

Manage student support cases by:

• Managing cases from initial assessment through resolution.
• Maintaining confidential case records.
• Monitoring student progress.
• Reviewing intervention outcomes and follow-up actions.
• Ensuring coordinated and effective psychosocial support services.
• Support other academic staff as it pertains to students in crisis the MBChB and LOP programmes.
• Coordinate referral services by;
• Identifying students requiring specialised intervention.
• Referring students to appropriate internal and external support services.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary support where required.
• Monitoring referral outcomes where appropriate.
• Ensuring students receive appropriate specialist support.

Develop and facilitate student wellness programmes by:

• Planning and facilitating wellness initiatives addressing mental wellbeing, resilience, stress management, self-care and burnout prevention.
• Conducting awareness ·campaigns relevant to health sciences students.
• Promoting preventative wellbeing and student resilience.

Collaborate with academic and support stakeholders by:

• Liaising with academic staff, programme directors, clinical training platforms and faculty management regarding students requiring support.
• Participating in multidisciplinary student support meetings.
• Providing professional recommendations on student support interventions.
• Building relationships with internal and external support service providers.
• Promoting integrated student support and coordinated intervention

Ensure professional and legislative compliance by:

• Delivering services in accordance with SACSSP ethical standards, University policies and relevant legislation.
• Supporting compliance with HPCSA accreditation requirements relating to student support.
• Maintaining professional registration and Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Ensuring ethical, professional and compliant service delivery.

Maintain student support records and management reporting by:

• Maintaining confidential student records.
• Compiling statistical and management reports on student interventions, referrals, wellness programmes and case outcomes.
• Safeguarding confidential information in accordance with POPIA requirements.
• Supporting institutional reporting, service improvement and governance.

Inherent requirements:

• Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent qualification in the field of Social Work on NQF Level 8.
• A minimum of two (2) years' relevant experience as a registered Social Worker.
• A minimum of two (2) years' relevant experience in working with young adults or students.
• A minimum of two (2) years' relevant experience in counselling, crisis intervention and case management.
• Active registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) as a social worker (attach proof).

Recommendations:

• Experience within a higher education institution or healthcare environment.
• Experience supporting students in professional or clinical training programmes

Competencies

Required competencies: 

Results Orientated:

• The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.
• The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Strategic Thinking:

• The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
• 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.

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.

Assumption of duties:

• As soon as possible.

Closing date:

• 28 September 2026