Pastoral Care Coordinator

Hashtag Nonprofit NPC; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit organization in Johannesburg is seeking a Pastoral Care Coordinator to support the psychosocial and spiritual well-being of refugees. This role entails planning pastoral care activities, providing counseling, and collaborating with various stakeholders. Applicants should have a tertiary qualification in Philosophy and Theology, with at least 2 years of relevant experience. Proficiency in additional languages is advantageous.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in pastoral care, counselling, or related work.
• Proficiency in French and/or Swahili is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the design, planning, and implementation of pastoral care activities.
• Provide pastoral counselling and spiritual direction to refugees and asylum seekers.
• Maintain strong relationships with Jesuit superiors and Church leaders.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

Active listening skills

Compassion for refugees

Flexibility and resilience

Education

Tertiary qualification in Philosophy and Theology

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Job description

Pastoral Care Coordinator at Jesuit Refugee Service

Deadline: 03 October 2025

Region: Johannesburg and Pretoria

Type of employment: Full time

Job Description

The Pastoral Care Coordinator plays a key role in supporting the mission of JRS South Africa by promoting the psychosocial and spiritual well-being of refugees, asylum seekers, and the broader community in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Rooted in the Jesuit tradition, this role focuses on offering pastoral counselling, spiritual accompaniment, and opportunities for prayer, reflection, and faith formation.

In addition to community outreach, the Pastoral Care Worker contributes to internal staff development by facilitating retreats, reflections, and training sessions that deepen staff members’ connection to the JRS Mission, Vision, and Values. This role serves as a bridge between spiritual care and humanitarian service, ensuring that both the people we serve and the teams that support them are nurtured holistically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Programme Planning and Coordination: Participate in the design, planning, and implementation of pastoral care activities.
• Ensure pastoral care activities are aligned with JRS’s mission, values, and overall project objective
• Develop annual and quarterly work plans, budgets, and activity schedules for the pastoral care programme.
• Identify funding opportunities and, in collaboration with the Programmes Manager, develop proposals to sustain and expand pastoral care initiatives
• Faith and Leadership Formation: Provide basic theological, spiritual, and leadership training for refugees and asylum seekers, especially those in catechetical and church leadership roles.
• Assist in preparing and leading liturgies and prayer gatherings.
• Celebrate Mass every Friday for all JRS Country Office staff.
• Youth Formation and Engagement: Deliver theological and leadership formation to refugee youth, with a focus on developing leadership potential.
• Facilitate faith-based training and organize sports activities where applicable.
• Initiate and guide youth groups among refugee communities.
• Conduct regular visits to youth at the Three2Six School (Sacred Heart College) in the afternoons.
• Visit youth undergoing skills training at all JRS centres.
• Spiritual Life and Interreligious Dialogue: Provide pastoral counselling and spiritual direction to refugees and asylum seekers.
• Refer individuals experiencing trauma-related symptoms to appropriate psychosocial support services.
• Visit the sick monthly with community healthcare workers.
• Collaborate with parishes to support Sunday liturgies and other Holy Day celebrations.
• Engage with parishes with high refugee attendance and participate in the Pastors Fellowship.
• Staff Formation: Facilitate training on the JRS Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Create opportunities for staff reflection to deepen their personal and professional commitment.
• Organize spiritual retreats for both staff and refugees.
• Collaboration and Networking: Maintain strong relationships with Jesuit superiors, Church leaders, refugee community representatives, and key NGOs to support pastoral activities.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting: Keep accurate records of pastoral care activities, beneficiary participation registers, and outcomes. Prepare monthly, bi-annual and annual reports. Use feedback from beneficiaries and partners to improve pastoral care delivery.
• Other Responsibilities: Perform any other duties as delegated by the supervisor in support of the JRS mission.

Qualifications And Requirements

• Tertiary qualification in Philosophy and Theology.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in pastoral care, counselling, or related work. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Proficiency in French and/or Swahili is an added advantage.
• Good understanding of, and compatibility with, the values of JRS.
• Compassion for refugees and displaced people, with a strong motivation to serve them.
• Good pastoral sense, active listening skills, and the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully in a multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Flexibility and resilience to work in environments with limited infrastructure. Strong computer literacy, particularly in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Valid driver’s license.

To apply, please send all applications to [e-mail] with the job title in the subject line.