Senior Counsellor / Counsellor (BEACON)

Nanyang Technological University; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Nanyang Technological University in Singapore is seeking a BEACON Counsellor to provide short‑term counselling and support for students, including face‑to‑face or online sessions, within the University Counselling Centre.

The successful candidate will contribute to practice‑based research and programme development while collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to promote mental health across the NTU campus.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in counselling is required.
• Clinical member and SAC registration is required.
• At least five (5) years of professional counselling experience is expected.
• Proficiency in professional counselling approaches and tools to help clients with diverse issues.
• Experience working with young adults in an educational setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Counselling assessments and interventions using various modes (in person or online).
• Prepare assessment reports and referrals to relevant organisations.
• Provide guidance to less experienced counsellors and escalate emergencies as needed.
• Lead crisis case discussions with senior mental health practitioners.
• Provide staff consultations on concerns about at‑risk students.
• Identify gaps in counselling tools and propose improvements.
• Design and deliver wellbeing training initiatives and portfolios.
• Maintain professional, legal, and ethical standards and ensure data privacy.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Education

Master’s degree in counselling

Clinical member and SAC registration

Tools

Microsoft 365

Appointment booking systems

Case management systems

Job description

About the role

Student wellbeing and support is a top priority and a key foundation for NTU Education 2025. It enables NTU students to thrive and flourish in their educational journey. As a Counsellor in NTU, you will play a crucial role to enable NTU to fulfil its mission for student wellbeing and support. As a team member of the University Counselling Centre, you will provide counselling for undergraduate and graduate students and engage with various internal and external stakeholders to promote a NTU campus community approach to mental health.

BEACON is a satellite counselling service provided by the University Counselling Centre, designed to make professional counselling more accessible and convenient for students. The BEACON Counsellor provides short-term counselling support to students experiencing mild mental health issues, academic stress and interpersonal issues within the assigned colleges and/or schools. This includes provision of clinical services through different modes of counselling, i.e. face-to-face or online, developing strategies, planning and implementing counselling-related programmes, including referrals to relevant agencies.

The Senior Counsellor / Counsellor will conduct practice-based research and facilitates outreach, trainings and programmes for the NTU community. A proactive, resourceful and compassionate professional, the BEACON Counsellor works under supervision as part of a collaborative team.

The key responsibilities include:

Counselling assessments and interventions

• Provide short-term professional counselling services, including conducting risk and need assessments and delivering intervention plans over a variety of modes and approaches such as in person or online, within the assigned colleges and/or schools


• Facilitate case formulation, including preparation of assessment reports, delivery of case presentations, and referrals to relevant organisations within social services ecosystem


• Provide guidance to less experienced BEACON counsellors in challenging cases in alignment with protocol for escalation of emergency cases


• Escalate and co-lead sensitive crisis cases with more experienced mental health practitioners


• Provide consultation to staff on concerns they have regarding students at‑risk


• Identify gaps in counselling tools and frameworks for local contexts and propose recommendations for greater cultural contextualisation to supervisors


• Provide inputs for improvements in counselling programmes and services


• Design, develop and/or facilitate wellbeing training initiatives and wellbeing portfolio / project annually

Maintain professional, legal and ethical standards

• Adhere to professional standards in clinical, legal and ethical practices, ensuring client consent and confidentiality and proper data privacy protocol in counselling


• Monitor staff adherence to professional standards in clinical, legal and ethical practices and assist in the development of clear data privacy protocol


• Assist in development of quality improvement projects to improve client care and services


• Document and maintain proper clinical records in accordance with policies and procedures of the University Counselling Centre.


• Use data-driven insights to identify gaps and drive improvements to counselling in line with the organisation's strategic direction


• Demonstrate expertise in counselling, pursuing additional trainings in specialised areas and developing a professional point of view

Community approach to case intervention

• Work collaboratively with and make recommendations to schools, student service offices, Halls of Residence, Support and Care Team, etc. to facilitate a campus community approach towards managing students with mild to moderate mental health issues


• Work in inter-disciplinary teams (e.g. Educational/Clinical/ Counselling Psychologist, Counsellor) to provide evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions/treatment to students with mild to moderate mental health issues and/or co‑morbid issues (e.g. Special Education Needs and mental health issues)


• Leads NTU community, i.e. colleges and schools, outreach initiatives


• Liaise with other professionals (e.g. psychiatrists, doctors) and Social Service Agencies to mobilise community resources to provide care and support for the students


• Refer and/or recommend external service interventions (e.g. family therapy) as part of the student’s overall treatment plan

Administrative support in University Counselling Centre (UCC)

• Support the daily operations of UCC, ensuring efficient and effective functioning


• Engage in data analysis and collation


• Perform additional duties as assigned by Head, UCC or Director, UWO

The requirements include

• Master’s degree in counselling


• Clinical member and registered counsellor with the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC)


• At least five (5) years of professional counselling experience


• Proficiency in professional counselling approaches and tools to help clients with diverse issues and conditions


• Experience in working with young adults, preferably in an educational setting


• Experience in working in a multi‑disciplinary team is advantageous


• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accuracy in all operational aspects


• Strong organisational and multitasking skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks and responsibilities


• Possess professional values that are in line with the Code of Ethics of SAC


• Possess good interpersonal and communication skills


• Proficiency in IT skills (e.g. Microsoft 365, use of Apps, appointment booking systems, case management systems)


• A good team player who is able to work independently

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.